Me Before You
I must say blurb about this book did not do any justice to the beauty of the book. I read the blurb and set aside it as maybe someday I’ll read it. But then it became a group read and I decided to give it a try. And I’m happy that this time I read it.
Lou has lost her job and is in search of one when she takes in as the caretaker of Will Traynor, a quadriplegic. It is a six month contract job and salary is exceptionally good. Will is not the best person to work with and Lou is ready to leave the job after one week. But for her family’s financial conditions she decides to continue the job. And thats how she comes to know the real Will and they come to care for each other.
Will was a very active and outgoing kind of person before his accident. His accident left him in a wheelchair depending on others which he hated. After his accident when he was hopeful of recovery he did try hard to go back to be normal. But once it was clear that he would never be same again he took a decision which was painful for him and his family.
With time he come to care for Lou deeply. He encourages her to do something with her life. He wants her to go out of England so that she can explore the world. He understands her fears and motivates her to not to blame herself for whatever happened to her in the past. He also encourages her to continue study and do what makes her happy.
“Some mistakes... Just have greater consequences than others. But you don't have to let the result of one mistake be the thing that defines you. You, Clark, have the choice not to let that happen.”
But accepting his love for her is the most difficult thing for him as he knows he can’t do what she wants him to do.
“I can't do this because I can't...I can't be the man I want to be with you. And that means that this - this just becomes...another reminder of what I am not.”
Lou, who is a simple girl, did not know what she wanted to be in her life. In the start of her contract she hates Will for his rude behaviour and insulting her. But very slowly she comes to discover real Will. She wants Will to be hopeful about life. She actually makes Will to leave his home and go outside which is very rare for him. And when it comes the time to tell him how much she loves him, it is just so amazing and painful at the same time.
“All I can say is that you make me... you make me into someone I couldn't even imagine. You make me happy, even when you're awful. I would rather be with you - even the you that you seem to think is diminished - than with anyone else in the world.”
An engaging and amazing read.