The Book
This is "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. The English paperback edition with 512 pages costs about 9 euros. The German title is "A whole half a year".
Content
This book is all about the 26 year-old Louisa, a girl from poor household, which has lost its long-term job in a cafe recently. However, since her family has to rely on the money of the younger daughter, as her older sister Katharina already has a son named Thomas, she takes the only chance that her offers. Taking care of paraplegics Will. The 35 year-old can not his legs, move his arms just barely after an accident with a motorcycle. Previously he was a respected giant in the industry, and earned a lot of money. His job, he can not exercise more and so he sits day after day in the barn of his parents.
To cheer him up and keep him company involved his parents who live Louisa funny, but soon learns the real reason for their attitude. After that, they will do everything to show Will be how valuable life can be without the use of his legs.
My Opinion
At the beginning I was the book a little confused, as it is thrown as a reader very abruptly in the story. In the middle of Lousisas stress to their lost job, the financial woes of her family and the problems with her boyfriend Patrick found Louisa again as a nurse of grouchy Will.
The contrast between the two main characters, they, as he is more introverted and sullen as fun-loving person is, at the beginning of very exciting. I myself would never have expected that both get along.
But just this development of the relationship (And can be no talk of a Love relationship here) is the exciting book. Yes, the story is interesting and sensitive to the problems of people with disabilities in everyday life (ramps for wheelchairs in public places? Forget it!), But the development of the characters, I personally find exciting.
Lousias self-discovery through a job that she met and calls is exciting to watch. In the beginning it is rather intimidated and makes little off, with Will's help but it breaks out of the small town and looks once the bigger picture away.
My friend Patrick, her sister Treena and Wills Pfleger Nathan also play important roles in the story. They are all drawn interesting exhibit both good and bad sides, and it is therefore exciting to keep track of their careers.
The book is mostly written from Lousisas perspective and despite the severe category (disability, financial problems, etc.) kept very funny. She is bubbling with vitality and fun to read!
Some chapters are written from the perspective of Will's mother and Nathan, they help a little better understanding of the background to the action and provide insights into aspects of which Louisa (still) do not know anything.
Overall, the book is a very emotional. I can without too much anticipate taking to say that the last 80 pages are quite strongly taken me. Wants to read absolutely alone, being disturbed actually no!
Nevertheless, the book is not only sad, a lot of positive and funny experiences happen to the protagonist. From a little love through joy, hope and sadness a lot of emotions are packed into this book and who is looking for a reading that goes to his heart and leaves no one cold, is well advised with this book!
The English is, in my opinion, not too heavy. With school English, the book is easy to read and to end quickly, as there should be no major difficulties.
Conclusion
I really liked Me Before You. An emotional book, which is not only sad, but hope makes and stimulates to dream and think. A great read for the fall, I give full 5 out of 5 stars!
