Me Before You takes place in a suburb of a suburb of London. Louisa Clark (Lou for short) has recently been laid off from the Buttered Bun, a small restaurant in town, where she has been a waitress for her adult life. She has little ambition in life. She still lives at home at age 27, and she is in a seven year relationship with no advancement in sight. However, she is happy.
After being laid-off, Lou is sent on a plethora of job interviews of which she is unable to find a good match. Her recruiter then sends her on an interview to be a caregiver for a quadriplegic man. With no experience, Lou does not believe that she will receive the job. However, the mother of the disabled man quickly offers her the position. She explains that Will needs companionship, not a medical caregiver. She explains, the contract is only for six months. Will makes it quite hard for Lou: he's quiet, rude and irritable.
Slowly, Lou and Will cultivate a relationship. All is progressing well until Lou hears a conversation between Will's mother and his sister which causes her to reconsider her employment.
This is such a brave story. Well written. Characters are well developed. Not a traditional love story at all. There is a slow development of a relationship which can be overlooked in books.
The author does not belittle Will's condition. We are provided with uncomfortable truths of his situation. It's not glorious. Will will not be healed, no amount of true love will get him out of the chair.
In my opinion, this is a perfect book. It has great character, keeps you completely enveloped in the story and does not pander to the audiences wishes, it is brave and strong. I have tears in my eyes from simply writing this review.
Favorite Quotes:
"I can tell you the exact day I stopped being fearless."
"Knowing you still have possibilities is a luxury."
"And then, just like that, my heart broke."
