“I had a hundred and seventeen days in which to convince Will Traynor that he had a reason to live.”
What an incredible story!!
When I finished this book, tears were pouring down my face. It was powerful, heart-breaking, and bittersweet but also oddly heartwarming. Absolutely unforgettable. I honestly think it’s impossible to come away from this book without an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the blessings in your life.
I’ll be honest, it’s taken me over a year to work up the courage to read this book. I found out the ending back in 2012 when I first heard about the book and my initial reaction was Noooope, I can’t do this!… but I was still drawn to the story and deeply curious about it. So I kept it at the back of my mind and would think about it from time to time. I’d even open the book, then chicken out and put it back. But I finally came to terms mentally with the story and got to a point where I felt I was ready to read it. And I just want to say that I am SO glad that I finally decided to go for it because this story will stay in my heart forever.
It’s about a woman, Louisa, who is desperate for a job and accepts a position as private caregiver to a young disabled man, a quadriplegic, from a wealthy family. This man, Will Traynor, had once been on the fast track in life — a high powered business man who pursued a thrilling life of action and adventure. But that all came to a sudden, tragic halt the day he was the victim of an accident that left most of his body paralyzed. Now faced with the medical reality that he was never going to recover, his entire outlook on life changed and he made a shocking, but yet oddly understandable, personal decision which he felt was right for him much to the despair of his family. And that was where Lou came into the picture.
It was truly tragic seeing this guy who had so much mental energy be so strongly and permanently confined. He was trapped inside his own body and, as a reader, I could really feel his hopeless frustration and rage. For the first time since his accident though, Lou brought moments of joy into his life.
Mind you, they didn’t have the smoothest of starts. Will was cranky, moody, and had no desire to establish any kind of friendship with her. But as the days went by, things slowly began to change between them…
This story was quietly captivating. You could almost call it slow-paced and yet I didn’t want to put it down and was constantly thinking about all aspects of the story even when I wasn’t reading it.
I’m at odds with how much I should tell you about it though. On one hand, I fully respect and understand the benefits of going into a story like this blind, but on the flip side, if it was me, I would have wanted to know what to expect so I’m going to split things up here….
If you don’t want to know anything more about the story before you read, you can just stop here or click to purchase the book. BUT…. if you want to get an idea of the way everything ends, then read on.
Essentially, prior to the start of the book, Will made an unwavering, clear-minded decision that he did not wish to continue his life in his condition. It was not a rash or unstable decision made out of depression or anger, but rather one based on medical facts and personal choice. Louisa found out about his choice relatively early on and when she did, she was horrified and decided to do everything in her power to convince him to change his mind. I think that it was a very natural reaction to want to cling to hope for a better future and the belief that there must be a way. I don’t want to directly give the ending away but at the same time I want to warn you that this is not a fairy tale and its a painfully real and honest story.
There is no sudden tragedy or twist at the end. More like a personal choice made by taking a realistic look at life. It’s painfully heartbreaking to admit but I do feel that, given the circumstances of Will’s situation and what he wanted out of his life, it was the right ending for the person to whom it mattered most.
I’m not going to lie, prior to reading this book, I struggled with the morality of it simply based on my natural reaction. But, looking back, that was unfair because I didn’t really know the complexity or details of this exact situation. I think we innately want to fix things, and it’s easier to hold on to imaginary hope when you’re not the person who is trapped. It’s an incredibly selfless act to love someone enough to put their happiness first even at the cost of your own. It makes my heart ache to say this and I still can’t even think about it without tears coming to my eyes but… it really ended the only way it could have.
There are so many valuable life lessons embedded in this story — to find a purpose in life, to follow your passions, to never waste a single moment — and I feel like this story gives an important reminder to value each minute, and cherish each of the things that we can so easily take for granted.
Everything is precious. Every ability, every minute, all of it.
Count your blessings. Be grateful for each one of them. Read this book.
Rating: 4.5 — 5 stars. Standalone.
This is fiction, not romance, even though there is a love story.
This was originally written as a standalone, but the author recently announced a sequel to be released this Fall. Click the cover below for more info on it!
Christy says
Lovely review! I’ve had this on my TBR forever too. I’m gonna have to read it soon now!
Aestas says
Thanks, Christy! It’s definitely worth bumping up the list 🙂
Sabrina says
This book made me cry so hard!!
Aestas says
Me too!!!!
Jaimie says
Loved this book, it made me cry too. Spot on review!
Aestas says
Thank you!!
Neil N. Wondeland says
Once upon a time. I laugh. I smiled. I fell in love. Then I cried. Ugly and Hard. The end.
Great review Aestas. Great as always!!!!!!! Hart Hart! <3
Aestas says
Thanks so much 🙂
Sarina Bowen says
What I adore about this book is the (perfectly acceptable) way it manipulates the reader. You suspect you know how it ends. Your intellect steers you towards a probable outcome. But the whole time, your heart is pulling for the opposite. It’s genius.
Aestas says
That’s such an accurate observation. It’s absolutely the way it unfolds. I completely agree!
Sarita says
Just finished the book and can not stop tears falling down. I have watched an international movie similar to this novel’s story but did not feel like i am feeling now after reading the book. Till to the end, i was just wishing Will to be alive. I am a nuse and i have worked with Quad people of different age. It was only a few day when i did not cry in the hospital. Life is really hell to be stucked in two wheel chair. I guess they are making the movie on this Novel; i guess i do not have gut to watch the movie. Great job
Heart wrenching
Mahina says
I really enjoyed this novel so much that i read 5 months ago and i still cant see to let it go i keep coming back to the book .
Theresa says
I just finished read this book, have cried my eye balls out by the end. I hate that the ending had to be like that, but it was only realistic and right that it end that way.
I really really love this book, truly unforgettable. Really heartwarming/wrenching and painful, yet beautiful, but I love it. Thank you for your recommendation!
And is After You the second book?
Aestas says
You’re welcome! And, yes, it appears to be the sequel! If you go to the amazon page for it by clicking the cover above (or just go here http://amzn.to/1Hi35yv), you’ll see a letter from the author about it!
Michelle Dodd says
I absolutely loved this story and I didn’t know they were doing a movie for it until recently but I cannot wait. I hope they do the book some justice it was such a beautiful story great review on it!
Ann says
My all time favorite book! Always! <3
Arj says
How much is this in the Philippines?
Molly says
Thanks for the review I’m dead excited to read this. I found it by watching the trailer <3 stay happy
Jennifer Taylor says
I don’t know what took me so long to read this book. But I saw the movie trailer and read about the book on Goodreads and Amazon. I wanted to read the book. My friend let me borrow the book and I just could not put it down. It was a beautiful heartbreaking story. It is one of my all time favorite books. I have watched the movie trailer so many times. I can’t wait to see the movie.
Hannah says
I really liked reading your review it’s nice to share one’s thoughts and feelings on a book that tugged on my heart so much and so deeply! Have you heard of After You? It’s the next book to Me Before You and I’m excited to read that too as well as watch the movie! Hoping to hear your thoughts on After You too. 🙂 Looking forward to reading more of your lovely reviews!
Katherine says
This book filled me with so much damn emotion and I cried ugly and hard throughout the last chapter
Esmeralda says
Where does the story take place ?
misspiggy says
The function his suicide plays in the book is to make her life easier, although he has the resources to have a comfortable life. That’s pretty repugnant when you’re reading it as a disabled person.
Aestas says
That’s completely untrue. He made the decision to end his life prior to meeting her. The function wasn’t about making her life better. He made the decision for him.
Also, I don’t think there’s any person (disabled or not) who has the right to judge what someone else considers to be a “comfortable” life. Being rich doesn’t mean you’re comfortable or happy. The only person who could ever decide that was him. And he made his decision before he ever met her.
Jee Hyung Lee says
Actually, you yourself said “It’s an incredibly selfless act to love someone enough to put their happiness first even at the cost of your own.” You’re the one who portrayed Will’s suicide as being at least partly for Lou’s benefit. That’s a pretty damaging message to say that it’s selfless and loving for a disabled person to is kill themself for the benefit of loved ones. It’s also not respectful to the vast majority of quadriplegic people who love and take joy from their lives to characterize their condition as “confined” or “trapped.” A disabled person committing suicide is not heartwarming or inspiring or the “right ending,” it’s a tragedy that springs from a lack of imagination on what a life with disability can be like. It’s a lack of imagination that is all too widespread, perpetuated in no small part by works like this one.
Aestas says
No, you’re wrong about what I said. When I said “It’s an incredibly selfless act to love someone enough to put their happiness first even at the cost of your own.” — I was referring to it being selfless of LOU to put WILL’s happiness in front of HER own. Not the other way.
I think you have the entire message and point of the book backward. It’s HIM before HER. Putting his happiness and personal wishes to end his life above HER happiness and desire to keep him in her life.
The reason I said it was the ‘right ending’ is because it was the ending HE wanted. It’s HIS choice. Not because of her, not for her, not anything to do with her… simply because it was what HE wanted, given his situation, for HIM. I was devastated by his death, but the ‘right ending’ was the one HE wanted.
And the reason I used words like ‘confined’ and ‘trapped’ are again because that’s how HE felt. That is not my personal opinion. It’s how HE felt. Every person is different. This isn’t making a statement about all quadriplegic people, it’s making an observation about HIM as an individual being. It has nothing to do with any other person’s situation.
And the book gives a beautiful message about respecting someone’s personal wishes. This isn’t even a little bit about disabled people. That’s not the point at all. It’s just about a PERSON’s wishes, choices, and happiness… and being able to respect that.
Also, I’m concerned that you didn’t fully read the book because when you say “it’s a tragedy that springs from a lack of imagination on what a life with disability can be like” you’re missing the fact that the book showed clearly that he DID try every possible option regarding his life with a disability and the whole point was that it wasn’t a life HE was happy with. Ultimately, the only person who could decide that was HIM. Nobody else has the right to judge anyone else’s quality of life or measure their happiness. You’re absolutely right that it was tragic. But in the end, it was his decision… and it was up to everyone else to put his choice above their own happiness.
Bambi Marasigan says
It also took me more than 4 months to finally read this book and tears are really flowing. The tears are coupled with hope for Lou. As for the movie, when we watched X-men two Sundays ago there was this poster of the couple and my officemate and me included this in our bucket list, me not knowing that I have a copy of the book or the movie is based on the book. I just knew of the movie when after i read it 2 Sundays ago, I googled the place where Will spent his “peaceful” day. That is when I learned that a movie was created for this book. A real place existed and it is recognized by the government of that country. We really cannot put judgment on the ending but must also know why the place was founded as well. The main lesson is: We have only one life and we must live it to our fullest. We must learn how to go beyond our limit. Life is beautiful. Thanks Jojo Moyes.
p.s. I have also finished reading “Me After You” I hope a 3rd book for Lou’s life in the US and for the new life for Lily and her new family shall be written by Jojo.
Susan says
SUCH a moving read! I did a book/film chat on this tooo
velma Wangutusi says
Just finished reading the book and I haven’t cried this much since I read fault in our stars,oh Lou, I don’t fancy her life one bit.It’s hard to love someone then lose them,even after trying to save them…I tend to avoid such books especially after reading John Green’s,Jennifer Niven, Tillie Cole’s book…but after watching the trailor on YouTube I knew I had to read it.Was it worth it?Yes
Steven says
“It’s an incredibly selfless act to love someone enough to put their happiness first even at the cost of your own.”
Did someone mention Patrick? She was realy selfless to Patrick…So, while everybody cries about the loss of Will, and poor little Louisa…there isnt anyone here saying “Louisa was in a 7 years relationship with a good guy Patrick, she met the rich and charming Will (yeah he was disabled, but rich and a real pain in the ****), they got close, and Patrick got the boot in the butt…”
Aestas says
No, I wasn’t referring to Patrick at all. Not even a little. Patrick was clearly not the man for her. He may not have been a bad guy, but that didn’t make him right for her either regardless of Will. Patrick wasn’t mentioned in my review on purpose.
Megan says
I just ugly cried… truly. My heart broke for this couple. The way she wanted him so desperately to see a life could be happy if they had each other. The way he never felt he would be good enough and hold her back from living a full life killed me. I hurt for the man he wished he could still be and I hurt for the love Lou had for him no matter his disability. I hurt for the love he had for her, but was too afraid to show it because he didn’t think he would ever be good enough. I haven’t cried this hard since Fault in Our Stars and in my opinion this was simply sadder, because it was all a choice. Ugh – I now need something trashy and decadent to read that will help my broken little heart move past this…. lordie
Linda Moffitt says
I can’t wait to read this book. I just watched the movie not too long ago so I want to read the book and compare though I usually think the books are always better, the movie was pretty good.
Gouthami says
Beautiful review Aestas! What a book!! Could you make recommendations about other books that are heart warming and poignant as this one?