Me Before You is a book that has touched my heart not only once but twice. I read it several years ago and was elated to learn that Moyes, after prompting from many, many readers, decided to create a sequel to the story, After You, so readers could know what happened to Lou after Will. Because I am old and forgetful, I decided to re-read Me Before You as a little refresher before tackling After You. In some ways I am glad that I did and in some ways I wish I hadn't. Let me explain.
I am glad I re-read the first story, Me Before You, because it is the most heartfelt love story I have ever read and now I have read it twice. The love between Lou and Will is so touching and so overwhelmingly beautiful I started to feel guilty about the level of love I have for my own husband. I love my husband more than I love myself and yet the unconditional love Lou has for Will overwhelmed me. I cried and cried and cried at the end of the book and felt such heartache for Lou that at times I could not breathe. I was sad for the rest of the day. I couldn't even pick up After Me because I was such an emotional wreck. These are not real people, I kept reminding myself, as I cried on and on.
Once I realized maybe Moyes had created a happy ending for Lou, I picked up After You and read on. While I am a big fan of sequels because I am the girl who always wants to know what happens next, I was disappointed with this particular one. But let me explain--I was not disappointed with the writing of the book or the story. Moyes is a fantastic writer and the book was as well-done as Me Before You. What disappointed me was Lou and how she handled her life after Will. She had every opportunity in the world to make something of herself, to make Will proud, and she just couldn't move forward. Yes--she had some stumbling blocks (Lily) and she's such a good person that she could never turn her back on another person, let alone a troubled teenager, but at times I just wanted to shake her (yes--I know she's not real). Even the ending, while seemingly positive as she finally is going to do something with her life, made me sad because she turned her back on love. UGH. What is the matter with this girl??? So, while it's hard to separate the book from the author, I do think that characters sometimes take on a life of their own and I bet that Lou just took over and Moyes had to write her how she wanted to be written. That's what disappointed me. I had such high hopes for her and while I would hazard a guess that if a third book were written to detail her life in NYC and her potential long distance relationship with Richard, who clearly adores her, she might still disappoint me in her careless ways. Lou is just that sort of person.
Despite all of this disappointment, Lou's stories are worth reading. They are like nothing I have ever read before. Especially Me Before You. It will always be one of my very favorite books.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
Did you hear that they are making a movie of Me Before You? I want to read the book before it comes out!
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