Me Before You

“Me Before You” is probably 2016's most hated book. People love to hate it. When it came out it got nothing but rave reviews but because of the movie and the protests against it there's so much negative publicity surrounding it now. I actually understand people's objections to it, however, my experience with it, when I read it years ago, was completely different. I perceived the plot and the characters quite differently. I would have loved to see all these people's reactions to the book if a movie hadn't come out and the media hadn't blacklisted it. I feel like their opinion is already set even before they pick up the book.

My opinion on it has slightly changed after reading a review of it by a disabled blogger. She gave a very respectful, level-headed opinion which made me understand why certain aspects of can be seen as very problematic and I think it's fair that they are debated and questioned, but, overall, I still think people are being unfair and overly visceral about this book.

It basically all comes down to the ending and how you interpret it. People who are enraged by it see it as hateful ableist. I see it as an individual's rightful choice of ending their pain when they feel, beyond any doubt, that they can't stand any more of it. I also didn't see Will as just a tool in Lou's development, I saw him as his own person. I thought the message was that sometimes love doesn't conquer all and can't fix everything. I don't think it's ok to see it as a message directed to the entire disabled community, I don't think it was intended that way, but hey, it's just my opinion. But, because of the lack of representation of the disabled community in the arts, I do understand why people chose to see it this way.