I should start this out by saying I love sleep. Sleep is where I’m a viking, and I try and get a lot of it. This book ruined sleep for me. This book kept me up until almost 1AM last night reading it, and even later tossing it around in my thoughts. This book invaded my dreams and was the first thing I thought about when I woke up this morning. This book ruined me.
I wish I could sit here and give you a full review of this book, but that would ruin it for you. I knew almost nothing about this book, other than that people really seemed to like it, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. The beauty of this book is the surprises that build and punch you in the heart so hard you’re not sure which way is up anymore.
I can say that this book is about Lou, who is 26 and living at home with her parents. She’s stuck in her hometown, in her job, and in her relationship. She doesn’t see anything else for herself in the future and she’s okay with that.
I can tell you that this book is about Will, who is 35 and stuck in a body that shouldn’t belong to him. He was a man who loved his job, who loved adventure and who loved sex and that was taken away from him. He is angry and depressed and hates what’s become of him. Yet he is written in such a way I never once felt sorry for him.
I can tell you that I almost couldn’t read the last dozen pages because I was
Great review! I have this one on the wait list at the library. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Wonderful review. I didn’t love the book as much as you, but it was really great.
I just picked this up at the library and your review has prompted me to start it TONIGHT. Except for the sobbing part. Honestly the last time I cried at a book (The Fault in Our Stars) I was awake till like 2 AM too upset to sleep. So for me “crying the ugly cry” is never a strong selling point. But I’m committed now to some tears probably next week I guess ;)
I wanted to circle back around on Me Before You because I just finished it and won’t be writing my own review (too busy…or is that lazy?)
This is a really good book. Lou and Will were great. Lou’s family was particularly entertaining (I would like to go to her next birthday dinner please!). But as a whole I’ll say that I wasn’t that engaged and I didn’t cry the ugly cry at the end. I found many of the logistics of living as a quadriplegic interesting and I enjoyed watching both characters grow during their time together.
But there were lots of niggling issues that kept me from really connecting emotionally to the story. Wills parents are never around which seemed like an odd thing given his current “plan.” Lou had this traumatic backstory that seemed TOO horrible and TOO quickly brushed aside. “Sorry that horrific thing happened to you but lets hug it out so you can move past your issues and start traveling the world!” I was also pretty stunned that given Wills emotional history he’s not getting therapy or taking antidepressants.
Yes these are all nitpicks. This is a lovely well-written book with rich characters and many laugh out loud funny moments. But there were a few too many nitpicks for me to emotionally engage with what is ultimately a very emotional tale.
I meant to get back to this sooner, I’m sorry it took so long! I can see where you’re coming from. I’m the kind of reader (and, okay, person in general) who tends to get caught up in the emotions of something and forget about the details. It’s not always the best thing in my real life. If they had lost Lou’s backstory, I don’t think it really would have changed much in the book overall. Sure, it gave her a reason to be stuck in that kind of late teenaged mindset, but I think she had that anyway. I really wouldn’t be surprised, though, if one of Will’s unnamed drugs was an antidepressant. I think it was one of those things that could be inferred. I’m glad you liked it! I was worried I had oversold it somewhat.