by Cindy Shanks

Created on: January 23, 2012

Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes is a poignant book which once started is almost impossible to put down.

Will Traynor is wealthy, has a beautiful girlfriend and has a thirst for adventure. There is nothing he loves more than travelling the world, climbing mountains, bungee jumping and living life to the full. When he has an accident his world shrinks dramatically and he has to live at home with his parents and depend on his carer Nathan.

Louisa Clark has always lived at home. When she loses her much loved job in a café, she desperately needs a new job to help support her family. Her mother cares for Louisa’s grandfather. Katrina, her sister has a young boy and is unable to work. Her father has the threat of losing his job. The prospects at the job centre are limited and she applies for the job of companion to Will even though she thinks she has the wrong kind of person for the job.

With its excellent pay, it is an offer she is afraid to refuse for the sake of her family. What follows is a deeply moving story showing how an unlikely friendship between Will and Louisa develops.  At first, Will is harsh and rude as he tries to come to terms with his disabilities. Louisa’s lively personality and honesty is a refreshing change for Will with life changing results.

Both Louisa and Will breathe life into the story. Although the story is mainly from Louisa’s point of view, Jojo Moyes gives a brief insight into how the other character’s feel about her. They show Nathan’s point of view, Katrina’s perspective and also Will’s parents share how they are coping with their son’s accident.

What Jojo particularly does well is portray how difficult it can be not only for the person who has the injury but for friends and family who also have to struggle with the aftermath. She shows the problems people in wheelchairs have and how they can be treated differently.  There is also a question and answer session where the author provides information about her ideas and inspiration about the book.

Jojo had many jobs before becoming a journalist and then her debut novel Sheltering Rain was published in 2002 and she has become a full time novelist ever since.

Me Before You is a book that is heart-breaking, inspiring and funny. Don’t miss the chance to read this novel.

Penguin

Paperback

ISBN 978-0-718-15783-8

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