Published: February 1, 2013 by: Thorndike Press
Pages: 631
Rating: 4/5 stars
Louisa Clark's life has always been pretty boring. She has never exited the confides of her small village, and she still resides with her close family, even though money is getting tight. When Louisa decides to get a job to support her family, she takes up an offer taking care of the moody Will Traynor, a rich man who is bound to a wheelchair after an accident. Will soon makes it known that he does not want Louisa's help, so Louisa tries to help him in a new way: by teaching him how to live again. And it will take both of them on the adventure of a lifetime.
I really quite liked this book! I understand there is some controversy, but since I am able-bodied I will not be speaking about that. Instead I will be focusing on how heartwarming and important I thought this book was.
I firstly really loved the atmosphere created in this novel. It had a cute little English vibe to it, and the tone of voice mixed with the settings made me feel I was in a little rainy English town. It had a very cozy atmosphere to it.
I loved the characters. Louisa was so charming and adorable, and I could really picture her in my mind. Maybe this is because the movie influenced me, but I did picture Emilia Clarke in my mind, but it was still accurate to me. I also loved Will's tone mixed with his development, and how he never failed to get what he wanted. He stood his own and I respected that.
The ending, now that's when stuff gets interesting. I'm going to try to keep this review spoiler free, but I'm just going to say that I didn't get it. I thought that it was unexpected and equally sad, but for me, I would have liked something different. Again, it's not really my place to comment, but I just felt like there were so many alternatives that could have happened to make things a bit happier. I just felt like everything that had been built up, was lost.
Then again, this had a very important message and issue at hand that I really think you need to just see for yourself. I think everyone will have a different opinion on this and it's important that we respect them all. But overall, a very heartwarming book.
Have you read Me Before You? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
So happy you enjoyed this :) I've still to read it, but I'll probably get hold of the film first.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
I haven't watched the film yet but I really want to!
DeleteI've heard so much conflicting stuff about this book... *shrugs* glad you enjoyed it anyway :)
ReplyDeleteYeah a lot of people have a lot of different opinions, I guess it's up to your interpretation!
DeleteI haven't read this book, but I watched the movie and really enjoyed it. I understand the controversies; I have to admit, I even understand a few points that were made about it. But, overall, it was a beautiful love story.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite booktubers, Sarah-Jane, made a video about this book and I agree 100% with what she said. Summing up her thoughts: she feels like if Will had decided to continue on with his life, it would sound like all he needed was Louisa's love; and people that choose assisted suicide, therefore, aren't loved enough... If you think this way, I think you can understand the author's choice. The link for her video is right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CeYEj7QuVU
Anyways, great review Emily! :)
Thank you for sharing this with me Lais! I definitely see where the author was coming from now and that video was very insightful! I guess this just proves that books have much deeper meanings than what is on the surface, and that's pretty great :)
DeleteAHHHHH I was so excited to see you had reviewed this book, I was practically squealing hahaha :D I agree with everything you said here, but I accepted the way things ended. Like the previous comment says, if Will had chosen otherwise, it would all seem like love was all he needed. This way, we can see who Will is at heart. He hated being dependent on people, it was against all he stood for so it seems natural that he'd choose this over a lifetime of feeling like a burden- and here's where the controversy starts...but we can't lump everyone into the same mold, people are unique, with unique thought processes and unique personalities that end up in them making unique choices. This just was Will's choice and...that's it really :)) Great review, Em! Very coherent unlike mine tend to be haha.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this comment, Ruzaika! I definitely agree that this is one book that you can't please everyone's opinions but hearing everyone's insight on this has been so interesting! I totally see where you're coming from and I've honestly been loving looking into this book more! And I always find your reviews coherent as well :) <3
DeleteI really enjoyed this book too! For me, I think I was hooked because I kept thinking that the ending that happened, wouldn't happen. I was waiting for some way out of it - and when that didn't come, I was shocked (in a very good way).
ReplyDeleteI totally pictured Emilia Clarke too! I think it's probably because of the movie as well - in the movie, she really does embody Lou so well!
She does! I loved her as Lou :) I knew it was going to happen because my sister spoiled it for me (thanks, sis) so it just made the ending worse for me.
DeleteI am not familiar with controversy surrounding this book. I guess I avoided everything so I wouldn't be spoiled, and I guess I missed it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book, although because of all the hype around it, expected to love it ieven more.
Actually, I liked the end, but my sister hated it.
Basically there was a lot of debate over whether or not he should have ended his life. Idk it just didn't work for me!
DeleteOMG so happy you loved this Emily! I actually just watched the movie last night at 2 am in the morning, haha, and I sobbed my eyes out towards the ending. I totally get what you mean with the ending because, come to think of it, something different should have been done. Although I kind of liked how it ended (because I like being surprised), I wish it played a much bigger effect than the part with the letter. I guess it's just me haha.
ReplyDeleteLouisa is a great character, and she's so innocent, which is why I love her as the main character :) Actually, all the characters are great, even Will <3 Lovely review Emily! I'm glad you loved it as well.
Jillian @ Jillian's Books
Thank you Jillian! I definitely need to see the movie now because I imagine that seeing it all play out would be so emotional! I just love Lou so much :)
DeleteI am absolutely on the fence about the ending. Again I don't feel like I have a huge amount of space to comment on it being able bodied and not having a huge amount of experience but it certainly was a huge build up and I was really hoping something else was going to come out of it.
ReplyDeleteYeah!! Like I said, it seemed like everything that was built up throughout the book was lost :(
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ReplyDeleteHi! Yes, I've read Me Before You. I think this is a kind of novel which surprised every reader of it. We might think that it's Louisa who wants to change Will's will but unconsciously, it's Will who brought her to change and experience a lot of things that Louisa herself didn't ever realize she could do. The movie is nice but the book is amazing. You may want to start reading After You so that you can still be updated with Louisa's life. ��❤��
DeleteJadis @ jadisnarnia.blogspot.com
Yes! I definitely want to read After You. I read a little snippet and it seems amazing! Thanks for stopping by :)
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