ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ sniff..
JoJo Moyes
‘Me Before You’
This is not a chic lit light romance romp. It deals with the heartbreaking decisions a quadriplegic feels forced to make. A man in his prime, with his previous life stolen from him, and a girl who is employed as his carer trying to change his mind during her 6-month contract, about an appointment in Switzerland.
Now I’ve read some romances in my time. I’ve read some tear-inducing scenes in some well-written books. But I kid you not, never have I read such a stunning and visionary portrayal of love as JoJo has created here.
I challenge anyone of you who has not read this to try it – and that includes all you men who follow my blog. Even if you have to camouflage it in a copy of Science Weekly Edmund, or Mens Fitness Mike, or DT’s latest works CeaslessReaderWrites… I implore you read this.
You trust me now anyway don’t you gentlemen? You have wives or partners? Then you’ll laugh out loud at the family descriptions. You may have children of varying ages? An elderly father who comes to tea and eats whilst staring wistfully at the ceiling for no apparent reason? Then you’ll relate to this.
There is no sex. Yet the chemistry is palpable (and you know that’s my fav).
Please do it.
I’m shattered. I’ve just finished the epilogue and need a cuppa and one of Ortensia’s cupcakes for shock…
Normal service resumed tomorrow🌸
IdeasBecomeWords 
I can’t comment on the book or movie myself, but my friends living with disabilities hate it. To them, it’s another portrayal of how life with a disability is not worth living, and that the most “loving” thing to do is off themselves so as not to be a burden on others. Especially now that assisted suicide is legal in Canada.
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That’s valuable to hear…
In the chat room in which Lou seeks advice of others in a similar situation, a desire to stay alive and gain pleasure from some level is covered by some of the members of the chat room..
but I take your friends’ point that the main message of this book is from Will’s POV. I’m aware that the author does have experience of relatives with disabilities but I cannot comment on what level.
I still found it tragic even this morning … and I feel that I had wanted to give my life to caring for a man felt in union with, I would find it incredibly difficult to watch someone take themselves away…
But this subject matter evokes, quite rightly, huge amounts of discussion. 🌸
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It’s a difficult conversation in the disabled community, that’s for sure. There are vocal members on both sides of the divide, though very few are actually in support of assisted suicide or euthanasia. One woman I met a few years ago saw the movie when it first came out and posted about it. She’s got several university degrees, is a professor, a script writer and has several movies of her own. She’s also a quad and non-verbal. She has LOTS to say about what a terrible message the movie gives about living with disability. Her comments, and those of others I know that are wheelchair users, are partly why I don’t intend to read the book or see the movie. Romance isn’t my thing to begin with, but with my own husband now disabled and in constant pain, I probably don’t have the sanity points for it. LOL
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Wow, thank you for sharing such personal details, and I send you both my empathy but support of the life you now share together.
As for your incredibly talented contact who is thankfully still able to convey her message about life choices, I listen to her views about this book/film and humbly admit I no not enough to truly give my opinion on the pros and cons of assisted suicide.
All I do know is that this book evoked in me a reaction more deep than any other I think I have read… so I believe JoJo Moyes does manage to get across the impossibly traumatic union between these two characters – no-one else’s. The fact JoJo chooses to finish this book in Switzerland as Will’s personal conclusion is her prerogative, just as it is for all readers and film watchers to have their opinion.
Huge respect to all those living with these disabilities and gaining positivity from aspects of their careers and daily lives. Huge respect also to their carers to whom a life without their charge I assume would not be as fulfilling.
I hope my post offends no-one and I appreciate your enlightening viewpoints on this emotive subject 🌸
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I’m not a big romance reader either – but I did read this one. There were times when I was reading this one I said, “oh, come ON!” But those were the times I was tearing up. I did enjoy this book. I read another by JoJo but I can’t remember which one. It was romance as well but came no where near this one. I never went back to a JoJo book. This one was romance done well (even for the none romance reader).
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Great work Viola
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Thank you Ben (you should see my eyes this morning; it’s not a pretty sight but I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved the story and life is about heartache sometimes)
Have a great weekend 🥂
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I must admit I’ve never read the book but I had to cry so hard in the movie 😢 the story is genuinely touching, just amazing
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Friends have told me the film is awesome but left out quite a lot from the book – which happens doesn’t it – so give the book a whirl when you’ve some time (but but don’t read and cry 10 hours before a dinner dance 🙈 where’s the cucumber?)
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Well I’ll definitely try. Thanks a lot 🙂
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So now I have to go back to it😻
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how does it compare to Nicholas Sparks A walk to remeber , Or the Time Travelers Wife? 13 years ago I spend a good year reading romantic books , I havent read any since
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I’ll let you know … when I read those 🙈 (I’ll add them to my book list)
How’s your story coming on .. what has the engineer discovered?
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I won’t give any more excuses, that’s the thing about the internet is it it magnifies the amount of information at your fingertips so when I browse through other short stories and compare it to mine it leaves me with a feeling of not being there yet . But it leaves me with me looking inwards and then myself and being frustrated but it’s a challenge I’ll get there.
I got stuck on how to proceed with that story and I moved on to write other smaller stories and hopes of coming around to the story and working it .
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Others’ work can be inspiring and also demoralising too … if you let it. Your writing will be unique to you. No-one else has your ‘voice’… what you choose as content should be subject matters which you enjoy reading yourself.
Just type …
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but if your curious here is a link to the short stories i’ve transcribed from paper to a doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcOjVBTQ5ToEdNrW_-rK5w7p6JP9I1nXTCy3wiI7FlI/edit?usp=sharing
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I am …
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Ugh I feel you. Tears were streaming when I read this!
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ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ I’m shattered! But pleased I read it. So enlightening as to seeing things from more than one view point
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my heart or head..doesnt allow me to buy (read) any kind of “romantic” book.. I love your post/emotions tho :))
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Right. Well this is about families and life decisions and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone … so this is perfect. I’ll even send you this copy of you don’t want to spend money on it!!! You HAVE to read it 🌸
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nope, just a bit careful with such books. but maybe. i’ll think about it. thank you :))
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Ok… read some reviews on it then let me know. It’s not slushy.
If there are personal reasons you don’t tend to read them, I respect this x
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Maybe it’s a great book. I’ll check anyway… Sister of my husband loves them 😀
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