120. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

BOOK REVIEW: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

As girls, fairy tales of dashing princes swooping princesses off their feet during our childhood, princesses hopelessly falling head over heels with normal guys (Princess Diaries) in our teens and then spinning romantic novels in our adulthood now plague us. We are never far from the theme of true love. But just what happens when love is being lent a hard hand and you find that it doesn't have to necessarily have that happy ending but maybe something sweet and pure to mask the pain and anguish....or maybe you just wanted to get to know assisted suicide in a more intimate manner than in a medical term? Me Before You gives readers the best of both worlds.

Lou Clark knows a lot 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 color. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Will becomes a quadriplegic in the accident, losing any form of feeling and movement from the chest down, except for some minor movements of his hands. Lou takes up the job as his carer after losing her job. Soon, Lou comes to know of Will's intention to end his suffering through Dignitas, a company based in Switzerland. As days are counted towards the end, Lou and Will inexplicably fall in love without realizing. Lou tries her best to stop him but in the end Will still ends his life.

One of the most controversial but well-loved novels, this is a story that is both endearing and tear-jerking at the same time. I do recommend a box of tissues nearby to sniff into. Though many situations have arose due to the sensitive nature of the subject that this love story is based upon, I feel there is some good in supporting people who are in immense pain. Now a major motion picture starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin (I watched the movie too, with tears of course!), this is a book you will have to read.