Jojo Moyes made me cry yesterday. She made me read her novel Me Before You in one sitting because I couldn't put it down, because I haven't felt such empathy with two characters I've only just met for a very, very long time. I don't really do book reviews on this blog - I leave that to the experts - but every so often a book comes along that shouts to be recognised, to be picked up and devoured, and this is one.
It's not a subject that will appeal to everyone. The right to die is currently in the news following the appeal to the High Court by 58-year-old father Tony Nicklinson, who has suffered from locked-in syndrome since a catastrophic stroke seven years ago. His agonised face when he heard he must carry on living, despite being trapped in his own body, was flashed all over the world.
But Me Before You isn't just a story about quadriplegics, about Dignitas or about the rights and wrongs of living with disability. This is an amazingly touching love story that brings together two people whose lives, but for a motor cycle accident, would never have crossed.
It isn't easy reading, despite the hype that it's a 'glorious romance.' But it should be compulsory for those of us who sometimes question the meaning of our complicated, yet fulfilling lives.
So, no, I'm not going to review the book. I'm just going to say that you really should take a look.
It's not a subject that will appeal to everyone. The right to die is currently in the news following the appeal to the High Court by 58-year-old father Tony Nicklinson, who has suffered from locked-in syndrome since a catastrophic stroke seven years ago. His agonised face when he heard he must carry on living, despite being trapped in his own body, was flashed all over the world.
But Me Before You isn't just a story about quadriplegics, about Dignitas or about the rights and wrongs of living with disability. This is an amazingly touching love story that brings together two people whose lives, but for a motor cycle accident, would never have crossed.
It isn't easy reading, despite the hype that it's a 'glorious romance.' But it should be compulsory for those of us who sometimes question the meaning of our complicated, yet fulfilling lives.
So, no, I'm not going to review the book. I'm just going to say that you really should take a look.
2 comments:
Sounds very interesting and also like it will challenge peoples conceptions about what is important in life.....It is definately a great thing to realise the blessings in one's life.......
I agree with you RTGG - and now Tony Nicklinson is finally at peace...
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