Me Before You was written by Jojo Moyes in 2012 and was published by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking Publishing. It has sold over 8 million copies and was adapted into a film in 2016. Jojo Moyes, author of the novel, wrote the screenplay for the film version. She has also written two sequels to Me Before You: After You and Still Me. Moyes, who worked as a journalist before writing fiction, lives in Essex, England.
Me Before You follows a young woman named Louisa Clark, who struggles personally and financially after losing her job at a cafe. She becomes a care assistant to a disabled man, Will Traynor. Traynor is taciturn and bitter in the wake of becoming injured, while Louisa is fearful and directionless. The two seem to have little in common: Will is wealthy, cultured, and angry, while Lou is working-class and friendly. However, their relationship quickly deepens, and as a result, Louisa and Will help one another to explore dark moments in the past and consider the best direction for their futures.
The novel deals closely with the issue of suicide, particularly physician-assisted suicide. It has been critiqued, along with its film adaptation, for its portrayal of assisted suicide. However, the novel incorporates a variety of viewpoints on the topic.
