Me Before You by Jojo Moyes is primarily a story about assisted suicide. It is also a story about overcoming fear. The main characters in the novel are a 27-year-old single unemployed woman who is helping to support her family. She obtains a position as a companion to a mid-30′s quadriplegic man and their relationship becomes life changing for both parties.
Coming from very different worlds, the young man from one of wealth and the young woman from an middle-class English family, both are confined to worlds of limited existence, one mentally and the other physically. When the caregiver discovers her patient is determined to take his own life by assisted suicide, she becomes determined to convince him that life is worth living. In the process however, the wheel chair bound patient teaches her how to live.
The story is compelling and well-written. Moyes wrote the book in such a way that the reader is able to connect with all of the characters in it. This is a sad, touching story which promotes self-reflection on the quality of one’s life.
There is a lot of talk about this book and it has peaked my interest in reading it. I have it on my evergrowing to read soon list.
Thank you for your comment Christine. I like your blog! Yes, I agree, this book provides much to discuss. I hope to hear from you after you have read it as I would like to hear your opinion of it.