It's been a few years since I have read this book, but lately I have been thinking about it again, especially because I try to make an effort to read more diversely. Me before you is one of the first books with disability representation I have read, and at the time I loved it (and I even cried), but as I have grown older and more comfortable with my own disabilities and my wheelchair, I realised, what terrible representation this story is. Granted, this might not have been the intention of Jojo, but as a young disabled person who was looking for representation, this was awful rep and I think for people who become disabled later in life, it is even more so. The fact, that William did end up killing himself (which is his right — as I believe in body autonomy) does make sense as a plot point, but from what I have seen, most people only see Lou's point of view and how they feel sorry for her and then bring up the "bee tights moment", when in reality what this book also tells people is, that a disabled life is not worth it. Again, I am not saying that Will isn't allowed to make his own choices, but what irks me is, that he was rich, had people who cared for him and a whole life ahead of him, and instead of going to therapy and learning to see, that life can become worth living, even with such devestating news, he ends up dying. It feels like his death was used to further Lou's plot (her having to deal with the loss and growing from it etc. etc.) more than anything else. I feel like the author did not do a good job on representing both sides fairly or considering what effect it can have on people. I also have not read the second book, and I do not intend to for exactly that reason. I just wish people would have seen William for anything other than his disability and I wish Jojo would have dealt with it in a different way, because — from me as a disabled person — I can say, that yes, life is fucking hard, and it is fucking depressing and the system sucks, but there is so much more to life than my disability; I love my friends, I love learning new things, I love pretentiously waxing about books I have read a decade ago. There is so, so many things that are worth living for (and even if I have to remind myself regularly), and I wish people would see this book a little more differentiated and actually think about the plot a little critically.

• I am not coming for you if you have enjoyed the book (or the movie), that's great !! and I am glad that you got something out of this book, I just wanted to add my two cents and maybe show a different perspective 🫶