Jojo Moyes best-selling book Me Before you has been turned into a movie, and in light of its premiere, I thought it be best to venture through some of the key quotes and lessons.
The novel’s the main character, Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) crosses paths with a wealthy quadriplegic, Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) and become inseparable. They each need something from each other and the time they spend together proves to be priceless.
They both learn critical life lessons, but while I read (and enjoyed) the book and I found a great deal of lessons that the audience can learn when they witness this incredible story.
1. “Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle."
2. “You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”
In this day and age, I find that it’s very easy to settle in a stagnant and safe place. Will’s statement to Louisa, shows that life should be lived. Coming from a paralyzed man, he knows that life itself is priceless and it should never be taken for granted by standing still.
3. “I hadn’t realized that music could unlock things in you, could transport you to somewhere even the composer hadn’t predicted. It left an imprint in the air around you, as if you carried its remnants with you when you went.”
As a musician I find it moving when characters are able to describe the motion of music and the impact that it has on a moment. The love between these two characters manifest at this moment and the representation of music being imprinted in the air, is almost symbolic to the imprint they have on each other.
4. “I will never, ever regret the things I’ve done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.”
5. “Just live well. Just live.”
During this time, both characters go through changes and find that there is more to life. While there is more to life, no one should live with regret or pain. Memories sometimes are the only thing left of people and love, it’s better to never regret those times and to appreciate the things that they taught you.
Me Before You has an extreme emotional impact and teaches valuable life lessons that can help the audience comprehend the love story in the novel. Because I don’t want to give away any spoilers, the novel has the power to motivate you and crush you at the same time.
