Me Before You Re-read discussion

I wanted to wait a few days until everyone got to read about Dignitas and Will's decision to end his own life before discussing it here. In many ways, it's the crux of the novel. When we begin the book, we know that Lou and Will fall in love. We also learn fairly soon that Will attempted suicide once and has concrete plans to do so again.

This past Friday, California became the fifth state in the United States to legalize physician assisted suicide. In the years since Moyes first wrote ME BEFORE YOU, the subject has become a significant political issue.

While it's difficult--if not impossible--to know how each of us would handle being in Will's situation, what are your thoughts about the choice he makes? If it were someone you loved, would you support his or her decision? If it were you, would you be able to tolerate a life of dependency and pain?

Here in the UK the government took a vote at the end of last week and voted No to legalized assisted dying. As in the USA it is a big topic and a very complicated one.

I feel that if someone is of sound mind then they have the right to make that choice. It is those who have reduced mental capacity that I feel need to be protected.
Would I ever consider it? Am not sure and I would need to be in a situation before making any definite plans but I can see situations where it is the right thing for some and they and those that help them should not be made to feel guilty or prosecuted for it.
At present I am living with pain everyday and am dependent on my parents for a lot of things but the up side is that I am still mobile and can move about so am not in Will's situation but can still have my down days.

Thank you for sharing your own situation so frankly, Readsandeats.

It is a complicated issue. Seen from Will's perspective, it's easy to be sympathetic with his desires. He is in full possession of his mental faculties and clearly understands his situation and future prospects. Not everyone has his clarity and there are unscrupulous people who would seek to influence someone else's decision. Sadly, we can only hope that the states that have approved physician assisted suicide will carefully regulate the process.

I do feel that it is a very personal decision and it's unfortunate that some families (like that of the young footballer in chapter 14) must suffer public torment on top of their grief.

Lisa wrote: "This is difficult. Unless we are in the other person's shoe we have no idea what they are going through but I would never be okay with suicide, assisted or not for whatever reason (ex. pain, depres..."

You've hit Lou's dilemma in a nutshell, Lisa. I don't believe that it's an issue she considered much before taking the job, but overhearing Georgina and Camilla's argument drives her to quit. She doesn't want to be a part of Will's choice, but--thanks to Treen's suggestion--decides to stay and do everything in her power to convince him to change his mind.

Relationships are incredibly challenging on so many levels, but is there anything more difficult to surmount than a moral conflict like this one?

This is a tough question, Julie.

I think if the person was of sound mind, I would support their decision. Although, this is so hard to answer... Of course, I don't know how I would really be unless I was in the situation.

As for myself, I think I would be more like Will... I would hate to be dependent on someone for everything in order to survive; and I can't even imagine the pain that he suffers on daily basis.

I don't think that I'm giving anything away by saying that Moyes does a very effective job of seeing Will's point-of-view. She really doesn't offer any false hopes about a future recovery or pull any punches about how much pain he's in.

Whatever we believe personally, Moyes makes us step outside ourselves and really inhabit his life--if only for a moment.

I think that Will made the right decision for himself. He didn't want to be a burden to anyone and the way his condition was going to deteriorate even further he was going to be more and more dependent on others more and more. I don't think he made the decision lightly but thought long and hard about the options before coming to his final conclusion.

Readsandeats wrote: "I think that Will made the right decision for himself. He didn't want to be a burden to anyone and the way his condition was going to deteriorate even further he was going to be more and more depen..."

You make a very good point, Readsandeats. Will's decision is the right decision for him. It's not the right decision for everyone--and Moyes shows from the message boards that there are other paraplegics who find plenty of reasons to continue living.

Did anyone who is completely against suicide find themselves swayed by Will's words?

Regardless of your personal opinion of assisted suicide, what would you do in Lou's place? I wonder if some part of her regrets not spending those last few days with Will.

I think that if I were in Lou's place, I would have spent the last days with Will.

Yes, it would have been extremely difficult; but imho, I think it would have been the right thing to do.

We come into this world with people around us... welcoming our presence. So, this would be like a "death midwifery" role... Having someone there as you depart.

Melissa wrote: "I think that if I were in Lou's place, I would have spent the last days with Will.

Yes, it would have been extremely difficult; but imho, I think it would have been the right thing to do.

We co..."

That's a very interesting term, Melissa. "Death midwivery." Yes, it makes complete sense. Hospice care is on the rise and many doctors admit that--given the choice--they would not want to have their lives prolonged by artificial means.

I am glad, however, that Lou changed her mind and decides to fly to Switzerland. It's interesting that it's Camilla who begs her to come. For all her own ambivalent feelings toward Lou, she wants Will to be as happy as he can in the time he has remaining. In the end, she is still very much a loving mother.

I would have spent the last days with Will. At a time like that no matter what you need your family and friends round you.
Like Julie and probably most others I am so glad Lou went to Switzerland, it was probably a really hard thing to do but she will not regret that decision in later life as she may have ended up doing if she hadn't gone.

Readsandeats wrote: "I would have spent the last days with Will. At a time like that no matter what you need your family and friends round you.
Like Julie and probably most others I am so glad Lou went to Switzerland, ..."

I can't imagine a worse fate for Lou than realizing too late how important it was for both of them that she be with him at the end. Will was a strong man, but I think even he would have quailed at the thought of leaving this world without seeing his beloved "Clark" one last time.

I think he would have been even more scared than he was if she hadn't come to be with him.
Yes it was his choice but I think he would have been scared at what he was going to do and needed all he loved and cared about with him.

We come into the world surrounded by loved ones... it is only fitting to think we should leave surrounded by love, too.

Too true. I think even the bravest of us longs to feel surrounded by love and loved ones at the end.

Having the love of your family and friends is worth more than money can buy.