"Me before You" is one of the love stories that makes you cry, laugh, talk to yourself, and above all it makes you see the beauty of being a blessed human being. This book is not just about love or disability it's about how to proceed and fight in order to achieve something. This book has received a lot of criticism because some people thought it encourages suicide! ? But really is it only about that ? any opinions?

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9 years ago
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Ashley I don't think it necessarily encourages suicide. Literally almost all the characters in the story try to make an effort to convince will to not go through with his decision. His family loved him, but couldn't make him change his mind.
However, I do think that it romanticized suicide slightly.

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Ashley B

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)[Funny you should say that - I read a review where the reader said how horrible it is that when a "non-disabled" person is suicidal there are hotlines, psych holds, counseling, etc to prevent it. And they argued, that when a disabled or ill person is suicidal words like "autonomy" and " free choice" are thrown around. Here's my take on the subject- the ENTIRE story is about a family hiring a girl to change Will's frame of mind and hopefully change his mind about killing himself. So how can anyone say it's encouraging suicide? Does he kill himself in the end?Yes. Suicide is sadly a part of the world we live in today. We can't not talk about it. Perhaps the writer wanted us to see through the eyes of someone who is suicidal - not focus on seeing through the eyes of someone who is disabled?? Murder is a terrible thing- but no one is in this much of an uproar over murder mysteries. Unfortunately these things exist. People commit suicide for various reasons- people who are so critical over the detail of "why" he wanted to die aren't seeing the bottom line. Regardless of the reason, all suicidal people have one thing in common- depression. Perhaps the book was an attempt at getting people to have more empathy for suicide victims? Put yourself in their shoes so to speak. So many say that people who commit suicide are "selfish" and "cowards" - that is not being very empathetic. I think it is selfish to ask someone who doesn't want to live anymore to live "just for them" - which is what Clarke was asking of Will. She did not want to be without him- so she wanted him to live on- just for her- so she didn't have to feel grief and pain. I am not pro-suicide ... but I am empathetic to it. Perhaps because I have suffered major depression myself. Not everyone is fortunate enough to overcome it. So maybe people can take that away from the story- a different view on suicide. Not encourage it, and still do everything in your power to help the person- - but if they do decide to tragically take their life- do not judge them so harshly for it.

I went off on such a tear- I am not even sure if the question was answered :/ I just finished the book and my mind is going - especially reading all these reviews. (hide spoiler)]

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hans

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Sam (bookspiring) It doesn't encourage suicide, they even tried to stop him, but instead shows support when the one who wants to commit suicide needs it the most. We have to understand that he is living a hard life and must respect his choices.

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