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| cover from Goodreads |
Author: Jojo Moyes
Publication details: December 31, 2012 by Pamela Dorman Books/ Viking
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.
I finished reading Me Before You three days ago but even now, I cannot organize my thoughts. It was beautiful and yet very heartbreaking. The story revolved around a controversial topic- euthanasia and/or suicide. Laced with love story but wasn't really a romance novel. It was a novel about life.
The book reminded me of how we can easily struggle with our identity, how often we let our profession, our activities and hobbies define us. Another thing that came to my mind while reading was the power of our soul. While I don't agree with euthanasia, I do believe in the power of our own choice about life. It is not being selfish. It is listening to the soul and doing exactly what will make us happy. It's all about respect because we can never really know the feelings and situation of others. Lastly, the book reminded me to live life to the fullest, to enjoy this life and to never let fear do the controlling.
I wasn't able to hold it when Lou came to see Will in Switzerland. It was really heartbreaking. I kept on wondering what Will was thinking about during those times. And then there's his letter, telling Lou to push herself and live her life well. There's so much love and regret in that letter.
As for Lou, I liked how her character developed during the six months. How she changed from this girl content with her small life to someone who "widens her horizon."
Me Before You is about decision, respect, patience, friendship and love. It will make you laugh, and then make you cry. Go and read this wonderful book folks!
