‘Me Before You’ had me crying like a baby.

Managing+Editor%2C+Meghan+Laakso%2C+reviews+the+novel%2C+Me+Before+You%2C+by+Jojo+Moyes.

Meghan Laakso

Managing Editor, Meghan Laakso, reviews the novel, Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes.

Meghan Laakso, Managing Editor

It has been a long time since I have read for pleasure. I used to read all the time but now, I’d much rather scroll through Facebook. Ironically, Facebook was how I discovered the latest addition to my library.

The movie trailer for an upcoming film called Me Before You popped up on my news feed. As I watched, I learned that it was based off a book. Ten minutes later I was in my car and on my way to Target to purchase the novel. Less than eight hours after that, I was done. I closed the book, wiped my eyes, and cleaned up the tissues around me. The novel, Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes, made me cry like a baby.

The scene is set in England and the story looks upon a girl named Louisa Clark. Right away, Louisa loses her job and is put in a rough position as she is the primary financial supporter of her parents, grandfather, sister, and nephew. Louisa then joins the Job Center and is unsuccessful at finding something that suits her personality. That is until she lands an interview for a quadriplegic helper. To her surprise, Louisa gets the job and begins to work for the 35 year old quad, Will, and his stuffy, posh family.

Louisa’s outgoing and spunky personality is trumped by the miserable and sarcastic Will. Will is awfully snarky to Louisa the entire book but her efforts to cheer him up never falter and you can start to see a transition as Will begins to open up more. But of course this can’t be a traditional love story.

Louisa finds out that Will has attempted to take his own life. Will was once an active and very successful business man but was put in the wheelchair at the hands of someone on a motorcycle. After living a life of skydiving and climbing mountains, his new life in the chair held nothing of interest for him. Just knowing he had no chance of ever doing the things he once did again, his depression worsened.

After Will’s suicide attempt, Will’s mother made him promise to give her six more months to see if she can make him happy and see the life he could have. Will agrees but says that if, after six months, he is still unhappy then his family will take him to the assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland.

When Louisa finds this out, she is horrified. Louisa quickly quits, not wanting anything to do with the possible ‘murder’. But Will’s mother begs Louisa to stay and help her convince Will that life is worth living.

Louisa agrees and comes up with a plan to help Will see all the things he can do in a chair. But was she successful? You’re just going to have to read the book yourself.

This book was amazing. I recommend it to anyone who loves Nicholas Sparks and John Green. Granted, it is oriented to the feminine sort. But I do think anyone who likes a good, emotional story should try it out. It is written in a witty manner, making me laugh out loud often. But the anticipation is enough to get your heart racing. Speaking of the heart, be prepared for it to break and then re-heal multiple time.
I can not wait for the movie to come out. But in the mean time, there is a sequel. I have yet to purchase it- my heart needs a bit more time to heal before I immerse myself back into the world of Louisa Clark.

Here is the link to the movie trailer.