"Me Before You", by Jojo Moyes, is a heartbreaking love story about a heavy subject. Especially in a season when one gravitates towards more saccharine reads, this novel was particularly thought provoking and weighed heavy on my heart.
Let me set the scene...
"Before Louisa met Will, her plans didn't reach beyond their tiny English town. Will, when he wasn't closing multimillion-dollar deals, blew off steam scaling mountains, leaping from planes, and enjoying exquisite women - until an accident left him paralyzed and seriously depressed. When his mother hires Lou to keep his spirits up, he meets her awkward overtures with caustic contempt, but she's tenacious and oddly endearing. Their fondness grows into something deeper, gaining urgency when she realizes his determination to end his life, and her efforts to convince him of its value throw her own bland ambitions into question. Plumbing morally complex depths with comedy and compassion, Jojo Moyes elevates the story of Lou and Will from what could have been a maudlin weepie into a tragic love story, with a catharsis that will wring out your heart and leave you feeling fearless." -Mari Malcolm
When Ali, of the blog In Jackie's Shoes, and I discussed "Me Before You" as an option for book one, I truly didn't know much about the premise. I was aware that it was a love story of sorts and that it was making all the "must read" lists of late. I'm thankful, in a way, that I didn't know the entire plot or I might have been less eager to jump into it. But I'm thrilled I did, it was a provocative story and does warrant the question, is love enough?
The novel ends in a lovely sendoff, with Louisa reading a letter from Will at a cafe in Paris. As I finished the book rather recently, the emotions are rather fresh. I am haunted by this book and think I will be for quite some time. Even when Will's life ending intention became part of the storyline, I kept telling myself that the book would end in my version of "happily". Alas, the book was more realistic, ending in a manner appropriate for a sentimental read. Perhaps that's the reason stories of this ilk stay with one, provoking contemplation and analyzation of ones beliefs.
Do tell, what did you think?
Now, "Crazy Rich Asians" by Kevin Kwan is more of a quintessential summer read.
“There’s rich, there’s filthy rich, and then there’s crazy rich. . . . A Pride and Prejudice-like send-up.”
—People
“An unputdownably funny, original, modern novel. . . . I actually couldn't put this book down to eat or to watch Downton Abbey.”
—Plum Sykes
To entice you into participating in July & August's read, Ali and I thought we'd lure you with a giveaway or two.
So who is in?