I’ve started Me Before You by British writer Jojo Moyes. I may soon put to rest good ol’ Contemporary Fiction, as my reading selection has developed a one-track mind, and variety is always a good thing.
We meet Will Traynor as a young, wealthy businessman who makes a playground of the world. He travels, dates beautiful women, treks mountains, skydives, and participates in other bucket list appropriate activities. One morning he is struck by a motorbike while crossing the street, leaving him a quadriplegic. Two years after the accident, Will makes no secret of his wish to die. Me Before You chronicles the supposed final six months of his life, before his wish to die is to be fulfilled. 26-year-old Louisa Clark, born and raised in the same small English town, is hired to look after him during this time.
It is oft-proved that books written by women that involve relationships, emotions (God forbid!), and contemporary life are disdainfully labeled chick-lit. Books written by men that cover similar topics are often praised as emotionally astute, sensitive, or sweeping. Remember the “white male literary darlings” debacle? Jojo Moyes has this to say: “I have read books that are so clichéd and lazy, my eyes have bled. But I have also read books marketed under the chick-lit umbrella that are so honest, clever and gritty that I’ve wanted to give up writing and paint walls instead.” Here’s to hoping that her own Me Before You gives the painting walls feeling.
We meet Will Traynor as a young, wealthy businessman who makes a playground of the world. He travels, dates beautiful women, treks mountains, skydives, and participates in other bucket list appropriate activities. One morning he is struck by a motorbike while crossing the street, leaving him a quadriplegic. Two years after the accident, Will makes no secret of his wish to die. Me Before You chronicles the supposed final six months of his life, before his wish to die is to be fulfilled. 26-year-old Louisa Clark, born and raised in the same small English town, is hired to look after him during this time.
It is oft-proved that books written by women that involve relationships, emotions (God forbid!), and contemporary life are disdainfully labeled chick-lit. Books written by men that cover similar topics are often praised as emotionally astute, sensitive, or sweeping. Remember the “white male literary darlings” debacle? Jojo Moyes has this to say: “I have read books that are so clichéd and lazy, my eyes have bled. But I have also read books marketed under the chick-lit umbrella that are so honest, clever and gritty that I’ve wanted to give up writing and paint walls instead.” Here’s to hoping that her own Me Before You gives the painting walls feeling.
Wow, I didn’t even realize that “white male literary darlings” was a thing, but having skimmed that Guardian article, it’s all starting to come together. If you DO want some good “chick lit,” though, then I can recommend a pair of Emily Giffin’s novels: “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue.” Read together, they make for a fascinating dual character analysis.
This book is incredible. I bought on a whim and ended up in love with everything about it, even the common sobs I found myself drowning in.
I read this book awhile back and could not put it down. I got up early one morning to work out, and an hour later, my husband found me on the couch, devouring the book instead! It changes the way you think.
I was in a Me Before You fog after I finished the book for about two weeks before I could even think about reading something else. You won’t regret reading this “chick lit”!
Oh my god I love that book! Its brilliant 🙂
i just finished this book last monday. although it was a bit too slow for me in the beginning, i grew to love it and caught myself both laughing and crying throughout it all. x
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