May Before You

Short story

The novel tells the story of Louisa Clark, a young woman living in a small English town who takes neither a job caring for Will Tray nor, a wealthy and successful businessman who has been left quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident.

 

At first, Will is cold and dismissive of Louisa, but as she begins to understand his situation and make efforts to connect with him, they develop a close bond. Louisa learns that Will has made the difficult decision to end his life through assisted suicide, and she becomes determined to change his mind and show him that life is still worth living.

 

The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the value of human life. It delves into the complexities of assisted suicide and the ethical dilemmas it raises, as well as the challenges of living with a disability and the ways in which it can affect a person's sense of identity and purpose.

 

"Me Before You" has been praised for its emotional depth and the complex character development of both Louisa and Will. The novel was adapted into a successful film in 2016, starring Emilia Clarke as Louisa and Sam Catlin as Will.

 

The story follows the relationship between Louisa Clark, a young woman who has lost her job and Will Tray nor, a successful banker who has become quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident.

 

At the beginning of the novel, Louisa takes a job as Will's caretaker. Will is initially cold and unresponsive to Louisa, but as they spend more time together, they begin to bond over their shared love of music, and Louisa's quirky personality starts to bring some light into Will's life.

 

However, Louisa soon learns that Will plans to travel to Switzerland to undergo assisted suicide, as he feels that he can no longer live with his disability. Louisa is determined to change his mind, and she spends the rest of the novel trying to convince Will that life is worth living, despite his disability.

 

As the story progresses, Louisa and Will's relationship becomes more complex, and they begin to fall in love. However, Will is still determined to go through with the assisted suicide, and Louisa is forced to come to terms with the fact that she may not be able to change his mind.

 

In the end, Will goes through with the assisted suicide, and Louisa is left to grieve for him. However, she is also left with a new perspective on life, and a determination to live her own life to the fullest.

 

"Me Before You" explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of living with a disability. The novel was a commercial and critical success, and has been adapted into a film starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Catlin. It has become a beloved modern classic, and has touched the hearts of readers around the world with its powerful message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.