Me Before You (Me Before You Trilogy) Paperback – July 30, 2013

Let me start by saying that I know I'm in the minority here, but I did not care for this novel at all.
Im not going to get into the movie trailer that was recently released, but I must say that a lot of movie goers are going to be deeply disappointed.
I have to applaud Moyes' high-quality writing, the way she seems to effortlessly string words together to tug the reader in whichever direction she pleases is impressive and the beginning of the book seemed promising, akin to the fault in our stars' plot line where the characters' illnesses provide them with a depth and humanity that makes their relationship and interactions intriguing. But it all goes downhill from there.

Lou's character is so precious, her perseverance and love for Will was strikingly beautiful. However, her efforts are all pointless and the message we are left with is that a life with disability is not worth living. This book had the chance to inspire and challenge the reader, to bring them close to the realities of living with physical challenges while proving that life can go on and there is beauty and hope in what others would deem tragic. Will is surrounded by a family that cares for him, he has financial stability, he can still do countless activities despite his condition and most importantly, his life is enhanced by the presence of a character who is willing to give up absolutely everything for the slim chance to change his mind.

I was furious as I read the book's ending. (which was predictable but still undesirable) Lou is willing to give up everything because she learns to see beyond the wheel chair, she can see Will as the man he can no longer see himself as. Will's letter at the end was especially infuriating. He asks her to fulfill her potential and pursue a life she'd missed out on, to live the life she "deserves". He spends his last months telling her that nothing would make him happier than seeing her flourish outside their hometown, yet he is unable to understand that the only life she wants is one with him in it. He urges Lou to expand her horizons and challenge her limits and yet he can't seem to see beyond his wheelchair. It was cowardly of him to give everything up when he had a chance at life with someone who could see him for who we truly was, he is haunted by an image of his old self and fails to realize that Louise is in love with the man he is now, and asks for nothing more than his will to live.
It is NOT a heroic act, it is arrogant to decide when his life should end and the suffering he caused Lou far outweighs any "opportunities" he could have given her with the inheritance.

It seems that only those that are close to or have witnessed the struggle of someone living with physical disabilities see the atrocities being discussed in the novel. That despite all the reminders that his life can still be filled joy and love, he has the right to choose when to end it, regardless of who he hurts in the process. I've read many books that don't end in happy ever after, but there was not point to the depressing, suicidal ending. No reason could have justified his choice but his decision to die is summed up as his inability to cope with the fact that he can no longer live the adventurous life he used to have or behave as the successful, athletic, popular, rich kid he once was.

Will despises the fact that he can not make his own choices, and yet he urges Louisa to go back to school, move on with her life, and witness his death without regard for her only request - his presence. The final scene is selfish and cruel, Lou is left suffering quietly because of her love for him. It goes against everything ethical and moral Lou's family stands for and yet she stands by him as he fails to see the life he could have led with her. Life already has its downsides and challenges, I don't need a novel that celebrates suicide and contemplates that tragedy makes life pointless.

I watched the film first, and loved it so much that I watched it every day for a week. I watched interviews of the two lead actors and their take on the characters journeys... and that's when I learned it was a book adaptation. Normally I don't like to read books after I've seen the film, but this one, I had to- and I'm so glad I did. It filled in so much more of the emotion the film could barely touch on. It painted a far more realistic picture and timeline, of things that went on outside the relationship between Lou and Will, with her family, with Pat... and though this is a book review and not a film review, I have to say you won't be disappointed in either, if you had read it first or seen the film first.

I couldn't put the book down, despite having watched the film several times, despite knowing the outcome... getting a little more insight into everyone's world was addictive. I only wish we could've heard a little more from Will's prospective.

Being American, some of the references and language was a bit hard to follow, but overall, the sarcasm and humor translated very well.

#Daughternumber2 read Me Before You by JoJo Moyes back at the End of April, Beginning of May. She gave it 5 stars and was such an emotional mess after reading it that I think I was taken aback by it. I am ashamed to admit that it took me weeks to pick up the book. I think part of it was because I was afraid that I wouldn't like the movie (and I really wanted to like the movie!) or that it wouldn't live up to all the hype.

I did however pick up the book. I made plans with #DaughterNumber2 to see the movie on a Sunday afternoon. So Friday night I picked the book up. I was impressed, and loved being in a English (British) book. There is just something about the language that I love. I started feeling connected to the main character, but also started to feel the pain, and sorrow that must of been going through Will and his parents. While this was a super interesting and REAL story, I was caught off guard by all the feels I had. I went through every emotion possible while reading this story! I latterly finished the book 20 minutes before leaving to see the movie! Now I am vary familiar with book to movie adaptions. And as far as those go, this was a pretty good adaption. I understand the scenes that were cut, and can understand why. I however had a few issues with the near end of the story and how things were changed for the movie verses the book. I wish that part was closer to the story.

Overall I give the Book 4 1/2 Stars and the movie 4 stars.