Me Before You Re-read discussion

I don't want to focus all of our discussion on Lou, so let's think about Will for a moment. Moyes introduces him just before his accident when he's fresh out of bed with his gorgeous girlfriend. He's handsome, rich, and arrogant. They're planning a trip together--probably somewhere very expensive. Did you feel a twinge of envy? Do you think he was happy?

Lisa wrote: "I wouldn't necessarily say I'm envious but my first thought as Will and Lissa discuss trips was "must be nice." Whether he's happy or not it's hard to tell, at least for me, so early in the book. I..."

I must admit that I took an instant dislike to him. It's not as if he did anything awful--and he was very sensible to forego riding his motorcycle in bad weather--but he initially seems like someone with very little warmth and not much consideration for anyone else. Truly the opposite of Lou who spends her days chatting with customers and really engaging with their lives.

While we're thinking about Will, what are your thoughts about his parents? Mrs. Traynor is a chilly presence and it's disappointing, but not surprising to learn that Mr. Traynor is unfaithful. Just as Lou's parents shaped her, it's easy to see how the Traynors shaped their son.

Will is not a man who is accustomed to "losing." Yet, that is precisely what happens after his accident. He loses not only his livelihood and mobility, but Lissa--to one of his closest friends no less. Should his parents taught Will a bit more humility and empathy? Might he then have been less harsh on himself after the accident?

I have to agree with you Julie I took an instant dislike to Will. I also didn't like Lissa very much either. They both seem to be about money and what you can get with it/from it, they don't really understand the world of the common person.
Will's parents seem to me to be moneyed people therefore expect the best of everything. His mother is so cold she should be living in a freezer! I think his Dad could have more personality but is very much dominated by his wife, hope that he will break through as the story infolds.

Julie wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I wouldn't necessarily say I'm envious but my first thought as Will and Lissa discuss trips was "must be nice." Whether he's happy or not it's hard to tell, at least for me, so early i..."

I just finished reading the first 9 chapters of the book -- and this is my first time reading the book, so I don't have the knowledge of what comes next in the story. I have to say that my initial impression of Will and Lissa was not favorable (pre-accident). I didn't get the impression that Will was happy; successful, rich, and arrogant - yes; but, happy -- not so much. The constant stress of living with a digital leash would not support a life truly lived in a happy manner.

And, as "pampered" or entitled as Lissa seems upon initial meeting, I felt truly sad for her. She spends her time with someone who is not truly connected and focused on her during their time together. She can't enjoy a dinner out with her boyfriend without his phone being ever-present. How sad!

As for Will's parents and the lessons that they have / or have not taught their son...

What a mixed bag! I hope we uncover more depth upon reading the story because just scraping the surface, there doesn't seem to be much substance in their personalities.

He was happy!He lived life in his way,doing what he really wanted.He took seriously his job.He seemed excited about their trip.He seemed ready to enjoy the ride!This was the happiness he wanted.This was the only happinnes he knew.

I am still on chapter 3 or 4 or something like that, but I am quite interested to see how Will's personality turns out. I couldn't really tell from the first chapter before the accident how his personality was, but he did seem like he was married to his job and that while having a girlfriend was convenient, he probably didn't care too much. BUT, like I said he might reveal in the later chapters that he did care for her, I just haven't gotten there yet. I did think it was entertaining when he first met Lou, and he made grunting noises and screamed, I guess to judge her reaction. I can't wait to see how their relationship builds.

So... I read ahead a little today. I think that I'm enjoying the relationship that is forming between Lou and Will. That is all that I'll say.

Dara wrote: "I am still on chapter 3 or 4 or something like that, but I am quite interested to see how Will's personality turns out. I couldn't really tell from the first chapter before the accident how his per..."

That is a very telling scene, Dara. Yes, I think you do get a good sense of Will's personality with the show he puts on for her. I think it even pulled the wool over my eyes initially. It's a good thing that Nathan is there to buffer Lou from the shock!

Re-reading the scene with Lissa, I thought about how much more technology has come to dominate our lives since this book was first written. I have friends who are expected to answer emails and texts or share tidbits on Twitter or Instagram at all times of the day or night--even on weekends! I think it was very prescient of Moyes to recognize how technology would come to threaten personal relationships.

The way the book begins, I see Will as distant and aloof. I think that his parents probably raised him the only way they knew how.

I think they have and I feel sorry that neither they not him get as much from a good family relationship as can be had.
Yes technology has taken over our lives and for some it is more important than flesh and blood. How often have you been in a restaurant or café and seen parents with their children and the children are on the phone, playing on a tablet and the parents are ignoring them?
Having said that there is good that has come from technology and that is explored later in the book.

Getting e mails is great but oh I would love to get a written letter through the post, does anyone else feel the same?

Readsandeats, I am with you... I love getting mail in the post! I've tried to be good about sending mail, too. :)

It drives me crazy to see people on their phones when out at restaurants. It has become a pet peeve of mine.

Laura wrote: "The way the book begins, I see Will as distant and aloof. I think that his parents probably raised him the only way they knew how."

Now that we've read a little further and we see Will's thoughtfulness on Lou's birthday and other signs of his generosity, do you think that he always possessed these qualities? Or does Lou bring them out in him?

Readsandeats wrote: "I think they have and I feel sorry that neither they not him get as much from a good family relationship as can be had.
Yes technology has taken over our lives and for some it is more important th..."

Funny about technology, isn't it? I mean, Will is a slave to his Blackberry in the beginning of the book, but advances in technology are precisely what allows him to reconnect with the world via computer.

I think that's one of Jojo Moyes' particular gifts: to show us how everything can cut two ways. We must simply be careful not to let use become abuse. Of course, everyone on Goodreads already knows that!

Good point about the technology, Julie!

I think Will's accident caused him to have a bit of a personality change... without giving anything away, he admitted in a later scene to Lou that previous to the accident, he was a bit of an arse!

I thought that his birthday gift to Lou (the tights) were incredibly thoughtful.

Melissa wrote: "Good point about the technology, Julie!

I think Will's accident caused him to have a bit of a personality change... without giving anything away, he admitted in a later scene to Lou that previous..."

I love it when he admits to having been an arse! And I don't think you're giving anything away since we've moved on to discuss the second third (ending with chapter 18) of the book today. Lissa and Rupert's wedding--and Will's decision to attend--marks a real turning point in both Lou and Will's relationship and the novel.

It was good to see the change in Will and one wonders fi he had chosen otherwise as to his major decision what he would have been like and how his personality would have developed more.