Seraphima Bogomolova answers “I loved this book, but I don't understand...”

Laura asked this question about Me Before You (Me Before You, #1):

I loved this book, but I don't understand the title. Any ideas?

Seraphima Bogomolova I believe, 'Me Before You' is an ambiguous title for a reason. It makes us think of what lies beneath the intentions of each character and their relat…moreI believe, 'Me Before You' is an ambiguous title for a reason. It makes us think of what lies beneath the intentions of each character and their relationships with other characters in the book.

In case of Clark, it can play in two ways: 1) Clarke before she met Will and after 2) Will puts himself before Clark in status, wealth, importance, and will of what he wants and does not want to do, a kind of selfish part of him.

In case of Will, it plays in the same way 1) Will before and after him met Clark and his own transformation 2) He and his wishes and desires that come before everyone else including his own family members.

In case of Clark’s sister, it is very obviously her sister’s interests’ that come first and leave Clark inadequate and second rated which somewhat changes towards the end of the book where Clark’s sister tries to show Clark that she also can put herself before somebody else.

In case of Will’s mother, it plays as mother’s feelings before the son’s wishes and feelings. She cannot let him go because this will make her unhappy and also in pain. So, she tries to prevent him from dying so she cannot experience the pain herself.

In case of Will’s father, it is his own desires before wife’s and the family’s. He is pleasing himself by having an affair while he is still married to will’s mother.

To me, even though both Clark and Will have changed as a result of their communication and a short relationship, Will is the one who ultimately gets what he wants: his wish of dying is granted, his has changed and improved as a result of knowing Clark and he gets her to fall in love with him. So, the pure me before you. Though he lives money for Clark, for me it is a gesture which was easier to perform as he does not give her what she desired – his feelings and his love. Also, note the names the author has given to her characters: Will as in will to do things his own way or bend anything or anyone to his liking and Clark – as in clerk – the servant, the subordinate, the second rated, the assistant...
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