Me Before You

Having just finished this book (quite literally) I still have tears trickling down my cheeks as I am typing. Why? Oh, only because this book truly was one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read, or perhaps that I read it in two days because it was so unputdownable.(this is because I had to sleep. If I were a superhuman who needed no sleep, I would be posting this yesterday...wait....I would have posted this yesterday.) And did I forget to mention the DEEP and COMPLEX characters with their HEART-WRENCHING stories? Seriously, this book is probably the most emotional read ever. EVER. And I adored every single page of it, and implore you to buy it/borrow it/whatever and read it! Because in doing so, you are reading one of the best books in the face of this planet. Seriously.

As is usual for my posts, I am not about to go into tiny detail as to the plot of this story. To do so would, quite frankly, ruin it for anyone who does go on to read it and I am not about to be the nasty person who spoils such a sensational story. The main two characters are Louisa "Lou" Clark and William "Will" Traynor. (Yes, another book where the amazing male main is called Will. There must be something amazing about this name!) Lou is from a working class family living in a small town which she has never left. With her bubbly nature and slightly odd fashion sense, Lou is not the 'adventurous' sort. She has a boyfriend of 7 years called Patrick (who is what can only be described as a total fitness freak) and she lives at home with her parents, her Grandad, her sister and her nephew. She had been working in the little local teashop, The Buttered Bun, but as the story starts we learn that this has just closed. Lou needs a job to support her family.

The other character, Will, was once an extreme sport loving, never sit still, successful business man who was invloved in a life changing motorcycle addicent which has left him in a wheelchair, paralysed from the chest area down. He is dependant on at least one carer for everything (feeding, medication...he can't even use a toilet) and loathes his now joyless life. His mother applies for a 'bouncey' and 'bubbly' happy person for a term of 6 months to care for Will in the day (as a way of preserving his mental health) and as good money is offered Lou takes the job, despite having no prior experience in this field.
What Lou and Will do not know, is that after the first few awkward weeks (Will is sarcastic and rude and Lou struggles to contend with this) a frienship, no matter how odd the cirumstances, will develop and change both their lifes forever.

I now make an emotional plea to everyone who reads this post; please read Me Before You. It is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read, and it is stuck in my heart. Jojo Moyes has once again hooked me with her deep characters, her addictive style and her truly amazing storyline and I already know that this will be a book I read time and time again, never failing to be wowed. This isn't one of those 'well that was nice' books; it was a 'woah that was a breath taking story, pass the tissues, that is going to stay with me forever' book. I just feel stupid that I had never read it before!

This book is for older readers, due to upsetting content (the accident left Will paralysed for life; not exactly the happiest of topics) but gets a full five- wait. This book deserves more than five stars. In fact, no amount of stars can convey its brilliance! Ok, Me Before You is worth a whole galaxy of stars; have you realised that you simply must read this insanely good book yet?!

On a slightly more serious note; this book was amazing. Truly, scarily, insanely and ridiculously amazing. Please do read, and leave a comment below with your own opinion. Happy reading, from RedHead :)

NOTE: You do not have to be a member of Blogger to comment on my blog, so please do comment! (am I stating the obvious? Apologies if I am!)
ANOTHER NOTE: They might be making a film of Me Before You! Yay! Hopefully they won't ruin it; a good film adaptation of this amazing story could be brilliant!

Classics Challenge Update; A Tale of Two Cities

Hey there! It just occurred that I should add my latest classics read to the challenge update, and this time I was inspired to read this book because I read The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. Will and Tessa adore this book, and make several references and quotes to it, so I decided to read it and see for myself if it was worth the adoration. I can honestly say that it was one of the best literary decisions I ever made!

A Tale of Two Cities is a classic by good old Charles Dickens, perhaps more famous for Oliver Twist and the like. Written in Victorian times, the book itself is a historical novel for it's day, telling a story set in the era of the French Revolution in the century before Dickens time! So there you have it; Victorians enjoyed historical novels too!

The two cities in the title are London and Paris; the latter being far more turbulent than the former. We follow the story of a group of main characters, whose lives are completely changed by the events of the French Revolution in ways that will change everything forever. There is Dr Manette (slightly insane due to imprisonment in the Bastille, but a good man who was believed to be dead by his daughter), Lucie Manette (the Dr's daughter who all her life has been cared for by a Miss Pross after thinking she was an orphan all those years), Mr Lorry (the good friend of the Manette's who generally aids and assists them), Charles Darnay (the mysterious Frenchman who was on trial, but was found innocent by his amazing lawyer) and Sydney Carton (the amazing lawyer who seems dark and forbidding.)

Along with several other significant characters, the story of these peoples lives spreads out over the book, changed and affected by the growing unease in France. After marriages, murders, love in vain and unswerving loyalty, the revolution finally kicks in, tearing apart France with the help of the horrific Guillotine.

The plot twists and surprises are so amazing and so shocking that you will, like me, wonder how such an amazing book could have been written in the Victorian era! I cannot describe the plot in any further detail, for fear of giving away seriously crucial information and ruining it for anyone who wants to read, but I cannot say enough how truly amazing and moving this book was. I cried; a lot.

Also, for a little bit of fun whilst reading, look out for where the word 'damn' has been written as
 'd--m' because it was an awful swear word in Victorian times. Heehee!

If you're wondering 'should I read this classic' I say YES!!!! It gets a full fabulous five stars from me, and a plea that you read and comment with whether you enjoyed it or not. NOTE: Sydney Carton has since been added to my list of best book characters EVER, so why don't you see if he makes your list? Happy reading, from RedHead :)