Book Review: Me Before You

So I finally found the time to write a book review for Jojo Moyes "Me Before You". I actually finished reading the book during my four day stay in the hospital due to Cholelithiasis, (in hindsight, reading the book, while in the hospital was probably not a good idea given that one of the main characters in the book was a C5-6 quadriplegic) the review was delayed due to the many movie releases + Paul's birthday celebration. Now that "Civil War" is released, I'd better get this review out before "X-Men: Apocalypse" comes out. 

I only found out about "Me Before You" due to the movie's trailer, I was immediately sold with Emilia Clarke in the role, along with Sam Claflin. Who wouldn't? I'm a big Daenerys fan and Sam Claflin is gorgeous. I always thought that his other romantic movie "Love Rosie" with the equally gorgeous Lilly Collins was unmercifully dragging and nauseating. Hopefully, things will be different with the movie adaptation of "Me Before You" 

The trailer in itself was enough to get me to start reading the book, but I also saw lots of recommendations and approval and excitement on the upcoming movie from online friends, who have already read the book, so it was a no brainer to start reading. 

At first glance, "Me Before You" is a predictable love story, or at least the part where pretty, quirky employee falls in love with rich and handsome (yes, it seems to be a prerequisite) employer. But that's where the predictability ends.

The book opens with a quick glance at Will Traynor's exciting life, living in a high end apartment, a successful career, a beautiful girlfriend. He seems to have it all, until an accident leaves him as a quadriplegic, confined to a wheelchair. 

Two years later, we meet 26 year old Lousia (Emilia Clarke) fondly called "Lou" by her tight knit middle class family who is satisfied with her waitressing job in a local cafe but is suddenly at a loss when she loses this specific job. After going through various occupations at the Job Center (one of them was processing chicken carcass) Lou is employed as a caretaker/companion for Will. 

Taking on the job because of the high pay, (her family really needs the money), Lou struggles with the cold and cynical Will, even her bright and shiny demeanor can't seem to pierce through Will's fortified walls, as he keeps to himself and shuts Lou out. The ever feisty Lou, takes it upon herself to give Will something to live for; the task becoming even more pressing with a deadline shadowing over the unsuspecting pair. Lou discovers that Will has decided to (Spoiler Alert. Stop reading if you do not wish to be spoiled. You have been warned. Last chance.)

-a clinic in Sweden that offers "Assisted Suicide". Okay, so this is the part in the book that takes all "love story cliches" out the window. I was really surprised that Moyes was gutsy enough to tackle such a controversial topic (in a romantic novel, none the less) and this is where readers may have some different opinions. I grew up in a very Catholic household, married into one and spent my whole scholary years in Catholic schools but as a Nurse by profession (yes, this is true) I'm really on the fence about this. 

And so does every character in the book, it seems. As Will's decision leaves his family and Lou, confused and devasted (even Lou's family gets in the mix). Can Lou convince Will to scrap Sweden and continue on living-even if it means being trapped in his chair, unable to be his well travelled adventurous self? 

The book takes on a deep and comprehensive dive in the quadriplegic community, which I must applaud was very informative and interesting. It was a refreshing read and I really learned a lot. 

The very British novel, has a simple enough narrative that is easy to read and follow, nothing poetic but the themes and the thoughts that they provoke are very deep and make you think and reflect on the choices that the different characters make in the story. 

3.8 out of 5 stars. Bring out the tissue for this one. 

Can I just take this space to say another reason that I'm looking forward to the film is the music! 

Some of my favorite bands will be contributing to the soundtrack of the film, The 1975 and Imagine Dragons so Yehey!!! 

“Me Before You” is a presentation of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM). Set for release across the Philippines on June 15, 2016, it will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.