Me Before You Re-read discussion

Now that we've all reached the end--or almost--let's think about what Moyes does to shape the novel. On so many levels, ME BEFORE YOU is about empathy and understanding someone else's perspective. I love the way Moyes tells the story from different points-of view: Lou, Treen, Camilla, Steven, and Nathan’s. Do you like how Moyes alternates between the different characters? What does it offer that a first-person narrative wouldn’t?

It's perfect, imo. In the first couple of chapters, Camilla has been described by Lou as someone with a very tough exterior, whose thoughts are, a lot of times, unreadable. But in Camilla's POV chapter, we finally get an insight on her true feelings, we find out about her struggles, and how much she loves her son, no matter the differences between them and Will's willingness to die.

I also love Nathan's chapter. Nathan had already noticed what Lou & Will haven't realized yet (or rather, something that they won't admit to themselves yet) - that they've fallen in love with each other.

My most favourite though, and also what I think is the most heartbreaking chapter, is Treena's. I thought that this was such a perfect way for Moyes to describe Lou's pain during those moments. A lot of people are good with hiding their true feelings, but in Treena's chapter, through another person's eyes, we can see just how visible Lou's pain and sadness is. For example:

1. "...and every half an hour or so I watched her [Lou's] gaze slide silently towards the mantelpiece and check the clock. It was awful to watch."
2. "Louisa was off the sofa and in the hallway in seconds. She opened the door and the way she wrenched it open made even my heart stop."

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Also, I like how Will didn't get his own POV chapter. He's a main character, and it would've been nice to get a better insight of what's been going through Will's mind, but for the purpose of this novel, I've come to realize that Moyes has actually done the right move. The "big reveal" in Ch. 23 is the climax of the story, and having a Will POV chapter before that would reveal his final/true decision earlier on, and too early in the story.

abigael wrote: "It's perfect, imo. In the first couple of chapters, Camilla has been described by Lou as someone with a very tough exterior, whose thoughts are, a lot of times, unreadable. But in Camilla's POV cha..."

You read my mind, Abigael! I was going to ask why Will doesn't get his own chapter, but you beat me to it! Another thing that occurred to me is that Will is essentially more honest with himself and those around him that anyone else. It could be that Will has always been that way, but I think that losing so much spurred him to strip away the self-deception that we humans are so often prone to.

So many of us cherish the wedding scene and laugh when Will refers to his past self as "an arse," and his honesty draws Lou--and us are readers--to him.

I also loved Nathan's chapter--and him as a character. I find it comforting that Will has his companionship. Can you imagine if Camilla were to take on the role of caregiver and Will had to spend all his time with her?

Giving us a window into Camilla's thoughts transformed my opinion of her. Yes, she comes off as chilly, but it's clear that she loves Will tremendously. She is living a mother's worst nightmare on top of knowing that her marriage has fallen apart.

I like what you said about Will, Julie!
I also very much agree with what you've said about Nathan and Camilla...

And speaking of Camilla's marriage, I just realized that I've forgotten to mention Steven's own chapter. I like how Moyes had given him his own chapter as well — it shows us how different his thoughts and feelings are compared to his wife's.

Both have high hopes for Will's upcoming trip. But while Camilla ultimately wants to keep Will alive, Steven, on the other hand, is — from what I see — torn between wanting his son to change his mind, and wanting to be "set free" so he could finally live the life he really wants to live.

From what I see, he wants to be just as hopeful as his wife is and wishes for everything to be okay again, but at the same time, wants it all — the misery and pain, Will's suffering, the tensions in the family, the marriage itself — to just end. He wants it all to just go away.

abigael wrote: "I like what you said about Will, Julie!
I also very much agree with what you've said about Nathan and Camilla...

And speaking of Camilla's marriage, I just realized that I've forgotten to mention..."

I agree. Steven does seem torn. I wondered if, in part, this was also because he empathized with Will's situation more than Camilla. Perhaps Steven can imagine what life must be like for a strong-willed man like Will. He's happy enough that Louisa gives his son some joy "in the most untenable of situations."

Lisa wrote: "Julie wrote: "I also loved Nathan's chapter--and him as a character. I find it comforting that Will has his companionship. Can you imagine if Camilla were to take on the role of caregiver and Will ..."

It would have been nice to know Georgina's perspective! As his sister, she knows him in a way no one else does. She does make a return appearance in AFTER YOU, however, and we get to see a more sympathetic side of her. We also learn a really huge secret from Will's past. It's also something that none of the Traynors--not even Will himself--knew about until Lou discovers it and brings it to their attention.

I like the way the book is set out. I feel that it was good that Will didn't get a chapter to himself, there was nothing really to add to his story and if there had been more back ground to him before the accident maybe people would have pitied him.
Yes Georgina loves her brother but I think she didn't understand why his parents had him as the centre of their world. I don't think Camilla could have been the caregiver, it would have been too hard for her emotionally.
I liked Nathan and was glad that Will had him in his life. I think they would have been good friends even if Will had never had the accident and they had met in a pub.
Steven is a very torn man and I can understand why, he only wants the best for his son and knows what that entails from Will's point of view - it must be very hard to watch someone you love decide for whatever reason to end their life. It takes huge courage to be there for them and I have to applaud all of the characters for the way they did so.

This book opened up a world that not many of us have experience of but with wars etc are a reality for many people now and we as humans have to do what can be done no matter how small to help those who find themselves in Will's situation.