I was drawn to this book because I'd liked another book by JoJo Moyes, One Plus One, and because I'd seen that it was chosen by a couple of book clubs. I found that somewhat remarkable, because Me Before You had been portayed in such a way that I thought it was a romance (and certainly there is a romance in the story).
I enjoyed it very much.
Lou is a waitress in her mid-'20's. She loves her job, but is shattered one day when her boss tells her that he's closing the cafe where she works. She lives in a small town where job opportunities are limited, and what follows is a series of depressing and unproductive visits to the local employment center.
Reluctantly, she accepts a position as a caregiver to a quadriplegic man.
Her first surprise occurs when she discovers that the man she is to care for, Will Traynor, is only about ten years older than herself. She also learns quickly that he is bitter, sarcastic, unfriendly and withdrawn. She wants to quit the job but is persuaded by her sister, Treena, to stay because Treena's leaving home to return to school and their family will then depend on Lou's income.
Lou perseveres and begins to be able to relate to her charge, and then intensely shocking complicatinos in her work arise. At the same time, her father loses his job, her boyfriend becomes threatened by her relationship with Will, and Will finally forces her to confront a traumatic episode from her past.
The book's ending is satisfying but it did surprise me. I now understand this book's popularity with book clubs because I can see that the issues raised here make this a perfect book for a book group: there's plenty to discuss!
Here, as in One Plus One, Moyes reminds us of the class differences of the characters. She also has quite a bit to say about how society treats the disabled, described recently as the largest, and mostly invisible, minority.
I think part of what I enjoyed the most about the book was the character of Lou. She's young and naive, but sweet, energetic and passionate. Her family seemed like a family out of a 1950s situation comedy. Her mother and father, despite their limitations, are steadfastly warm and loyal to their daughters. This book reminded me of the film "Getting It Right," about a young hairdresser coming of age and finding love. The sweetness of the story made it feel like a guilty pleasure.
On Saturday morning I went to the library. I think I probably hadn't been in there since I was at school--quite possibly out of fear that they would remember the Judy Blume I had lost in Year 7, and that clammy, official hand would reach out as I passed through the building's Victorian pillared doors, demandingL3,853 in fines.
I enjoyed it very much. Lou is a waitress in her mid-'20's. She loves her job, but is shattered one day when her boss tells her that he's closing the cafe where she works. She lives in a small town where job opportunities are limited, and what follows is a series of depressing and unproductive visits to the local employment center.
Reluctantly, she accepts a position as a caregiver to a quadriplegic man.
Her first surprise occurs when she discovers that the man she is to care for, Will Traynor, is only about ten years older than herself. She also learns quickly that he is bitter, sarcastic, unfriendly and withdrawn. She wants to quit the job but is persuaded by her sister, Treena, to stay because Treena's leaving home to return to school and their family will then depend on Lou's income.
Lou perseveres and begins to be able to relate to her charge, and then intensely shocking complicatinos in her work arise. At the same time, her father loses his job, her boyfriend becomes threatened by her relationship with Will, and Will finally forces her to confront a traumatic episode from her past.
The book's ending is satisfying but it did surprise me. I now understand this book's popularity with book clubs because I can see that the issues raised here make this a perfect book for a book group: there's plenty to discuss!
Here, as in One Plus One, Moyes reminds us of the class differences of the characters. She also has quite a bit to say about how society treats the disabled, described recently as the largest, and mostly invisible, minority.
I think part of what I enjoyed the most about the book was the character of Lou. She's young and naive, but sweet, energetic and passionate. Her family seemed like a family out of a 1950s situation comedy. Her mother and father, despite their limitations, are steadfastly warm and loyal to their daughters. This book reminded me of the film "Getting It Right," about a young hairdresser coming of age and finding love. The sweetness of the story made it feel like a guilty pleasure.
On Saturday morning I went to the library. I think I probably hadn't been in there since I was at school--quite possibly out of fear that they would remember the Judy Blume I had lost in Year 7, and that clammy, official hand would reach out as I passed through the building's Victorian pillared doors, demanding
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