Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

On By TheTravellothonerIn Book Reviews

Note : You can find a review of the second book of this series here – After You By Jojo Moyes

Still Me : Still Me By Jojo Moyes

I recently read this trilogy and I’ll be attaching links to the subsequent books soon. I’ve written a small summary after which I have directly jumped to the review:

“Me Before You begins with its protagonist, Louisa Clark, losing her steady job at a cafe. Since her family’s financial situation is increasingly worrisome, she takes the best available job in her small town: care worker for a quadriplegic man. The man is Will Traynor, a former London businessman who has been seriously injured in an accident. Will is bitter when Lou first meets him, and subjects her to cruelty and ironic asides. However, the two eventually begin to connect, sharing jokes and treating one another with straightforward honesty. Will encourages Lou to explore interests outside of her comfort zone, while Lou gives Will practical assistance and helps him to feel less depressed.

After several weeks on the job, Lou overhears a conversation between Will’s mother and sister. She learns that Will has attempted suicide once and is still determined to commit physician-assisted suicide. He has agreed with his mother that he will wait six months before going to Switzerland to take his own life. Lou, who has grown fond of Will, is so upset that she nearly quits her job. She returns on the condition that she be allowed to take Will on a series of “adventures” in the hopes of brightening his outlook and convincing him to stay alive.”

Disclaimer : It is a good book worth a read if you aren’t aware of the plot in entirety. I have reservations mainly because I was very aware of the plot.

I did not particularly enjoy this book for multiple reasons. Not that it’s bad in any way, but this is the exact same plot as in the movie “Guzaarish” starring some prominent actors like Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Aditya Roy Kapur released in 2010 in Bollywood, The Hindi Movie Industry.

So there wasn’t anything in the book that surprised me. At some point, I was reading the book simply to finish it, and mind you, that took quite a while. I have grown used to reading Nicholas Sparks or John Green, where the books are shorter and are a 2-3 day relaxing read at max.

This book is significantly longer. And I really dreaded it when I found out it was a trilogy. I knew I’d end up reading it (OCD) but I’d do it forcefully. And I really have no intentions of finishing them soon, cause the first book took a lot of determination to finish.

Having said that, it’s not a bad book at all. I like how everything is explained in detail including emotions, which can be a very difficult, capable of getting a “hit or miss” kind of reaction. I did have a lump in my throat towards the end of it, and I probably would have enjoyed it more had I not been aware of the plot beforehand. But that’s the thing in this case, this plot is known to way too many people to be able to enjoy it.

-The Travellothoner

21 thoughts on “Me Before You by Jojo Moyes”

  2. I’ve seen both the Indian and American movies. I’ve cried through both. But what made the American version stand out for me was the character of Louisa, which was pure sunshine. Emilia Clarke playing her was another bonus. Just in case you haven’t watched it, do give it a try.
    Funnily enough, I was watching it again yesterday and couldn’t stop smiling. 😊

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  3. tinyreadinggopher

    I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. As someone who had to face the harsh reality at accepting someone’s decision to face their end, I found it extremely cathartic and healing. I would say that I enjoyed the simplicity and perfection of grief and it’s healing in P.s. I Love You. Seems like this one wasn’t for you.

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      1. tinyreadinggopher

        Yes, but you did it begrudgingly. At that point you seemingly only finish it to be able to better reason your dislike. It just seems like it wasn’t for you, and you probably should’ve moved on rather than force yourself and go in with an already diminished appreciation. Death and coming to terms with another person’s decision is not new, but the way in which each is handled and the characters themselves are. As well as the writing.

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    1. And it really is. Emilia Clarke really does justice to the book and role of Louisa Clarke. But it so happens that if you see the movie, you’ll not enjoy the book as much.

      Now it depends on perspective whether the movie was that much better or the book wasn’t upto the mark!

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  5. ceponatia

    I sympathize with having to finish a book because of your OCD! I’m reading Crime and Punishment right now and… I understand why it’s a classic and I understand the underlying message… but it is a BORE!

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  6. I had no clue about the plot until I read the book, and it changed the way I see things. There really is a place in Switzerland (maybe more than one) where people who are ready can go to die gracefully and peacefully. There should be such places everywhere.

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  8. Pingback: After You By Jojo Moyes – The Travellothoner

  9. Pingback: Still Me By Jojo Moyes – The Travellothoner

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