“Me Before You” is a novel by Jojo Moyes, published in 2012. The story follows the relationship between Louisa Clark, a young woman who takes a job as a caregiver for a wealthy quadriplegic man named Will Traynor.
Introduction
The novel is set in rural England and is narrated from Louisa’s perspective. Louisa is a cheerful and quirky young woman who is struggling to find direction in her life. She takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a once-successful businessman who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident.
The Main Concepts of Me Before You
Theme 1: Love and Compassion
The central theme of the novel is the power of love and compassion to transform people’s lives. As Louisa and Will get to know each other, they develop a deep connection that helps them both overcome their personal struggles.
Theme 2: Life and Death
The novel also touches on issues of life and death, as Will has made the decision to end his life through assisted suicide. Louisa struggles with this decision, and her efforts to convince Will to change his mind form a major part of the story.
Theme 3: Identity and Self-Discovery
The novel explores the themes of identity and self-discovery, as both Louisa and Will come to understand more about themselves and what they want from life.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with Louisa Clark losing her job at a local cafe and taking a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a motorcycle accident. Will is bitter and depressed, and resents being dependent on others for his care.
Despite Will’s initial hostility towards her, Louisa persists in her efforts to connect with him. Over time, they develop a deep friendship and fall in love, but their happiness is short-lived when Will reveals that he has made the decision to end his life through assisted suicide.
Louisa is devastated by Will’s decision, and makes a last-ditch effort to convince him to change his mind. However, Will ultimately goes through with the procedure and dies in his parents’ home, surrounded by his loved ones.
The novel ends with Louisa reflecting on her experiences with Will and the impact that he had on her life.
Conclusion
“Me Before You” is a heart-wrenching and emotional novel that explores the power of love and compassion in the face of life’s most difficult challenges. The story has been adapted into a popular film and has touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world.