One for the Books “Me Before You”

One+for+the+Books+Me+Before+You

Caroline Dew

Kaitlyn Craig, Columnist & Human Interest Coordinator

Romance is one of the most popular book genres of all time, but it has become especially popular in the last couple decades. With authors like Nicholas Sparks, John Green, and many others, stereotypes have developed among the genre. For example, in most romance novels, the couple lives happily ever after, and their past just makes them stronger. But then there are the other books, that are very different, but they still fall into the romance category. One of these books is the novel Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This story is definitely different than any other love story you have encountered before.

This novel follows the story of a young girl named Louisa Clark, Lou for short. Lou has worked in the same little cafe for the last six years and she loves everything about the little shop. But when the owner suddenly has to close and move back to his home for a family emergency, Lou’s whole world gets turned upside down. She doesn’t really know how to do anything else, since she has been in the same job for so long. But when she gets an interview for a great paying job helping care for a quadriplegic man for six months, she is a little hesitant. It is completely out of her comfort zone, but she gets offered the job and takes it anyway so she can be of some financial aid to her large family who has trouble making ends meet. Will is the man who she is hired to care for. He was in a car accident which caused a spinal injury, paralyzing him from the neck down. Lou is there to keep his spirits up and to care for his mental health. After a very rocky start, they begin warming up to each other and exposing each other to different things, such as foreign films. When Lou finds out why the contract is only for six months, she tries everything in her power to change it. To find out what happens, you will just have to read the book!

Personally, I loved this book so much. I had broken my rule, and watched the movie before hand and absolutely fell in love. I loved the story, the acting, the subtle humor, the tear jerking moments, and everything else about it. So when I found the book on sale, I bought it, fully expecting to love it just as much as I had loved the movie. But I was surprised, I actually loved it even more. It was very well written, and blends humor and sadness in a very real and wonderful way. But the book is very British, so if you aren’t a fan of that, then you might not like the novel as much as I did. I would give this book a 5/5. But you can develop your own opinion by reading the book yourself!