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A review by its_me_theresa
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
3.0
I don't know, maybe because I'm older than the evident target demographic of this book, or maybe because I actually was a caregiver to a wheelchair-bound person who was my the center of my universe, but I think the book is...okay.
Actually, the story itself is really good-- the plot is interesting and keeps you reading, and the characters (for the most part) are believable. I thought the narrative could have been more intelligent and there were a few turns of phrase that were very redundant, but perhaps that was because of the point of view.
My main problem with the book is the takeaway-- and believe me, there's a "moral" to this story. To avoid spoilers, suffice it to say that the message of the book and the actions of the protagonists do not mesh. In addition, the ending--while purported to be incredibly romantic by the younger set-- was infuriating to me.
Unlike other readers, I didn't cry as I read it...and I'm one who can lose her $&*! over a well-timed Hallmark commercial. I was emotionally invested, however; I think the predictability of the story kept me from becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
I do love the "insider" glimpse the book provides the reader into the world of those living with disabilities. This is something very much needed, since the vast majority of the population are not privy to the myriad of frustrations, big and small, which at times seriously limit options for the disabled. The points of the story dealing with these difficulties are extremely realistic and well-researched.
I disliked the shift in narrators, however, particularly because it didn't seem to serve a purpose nor did it happen consistently throughout the story, only at random intervals (at least as far as I'm able to discern).
All that said, the book is definitely enjoyable (at least up to the end) and well worth the short hours needed to read it.
Actually, the story itself is really good-- the plot is interesting and keeps you reading, and the characters (for the most part) are believable. I thought the narrative could have been more intelligent and there were a few turns of phrase that were very redundant, but perhaps that was because of the point of view.
My main problem with the book is the takeaway-- and believe me, there's a "moral" to this story. To avoid spoilers, suffice it to say that the message of the book and the actions of the protagonists do not mesh. In addition, the ending--while purported to be incredibly romantic by the younger set-- was infuriating to me.
Unlike other readers, I didn't cry as I read it...and I'm one who can lose her $&*! over a well-timed Hallmark commercial. I was emotionally invested, however; I think the predictability of the story kept me from becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
I do love the "insider" glimpse the book provides the reader into the world of those living with disabilities. This is something very much needed, since the vast majority of the population are not privy to the myriad of frustrations, big and small, which at times seriously limit options for the disabled. The points of the story dealing with these difficulties are extremely realistic and well-researched.
I disliked the shift in narrators, however, particularly because it didn't seem to serve a purpose nor did it happen consistently throughout the story, only at random intervals (at least as far as I'm able to discern).
All that said, the book is definitely enjoyable (at least up to the end) and well worth the short hours needed to read it.