Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

3 reviews

vivienna's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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th3a's review against another edition

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vcatalinav's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I started this book because it was gifted to me, and my expectations were low. I'm normally not a fun of contemporary straight romance novels, I never cared about the Me Before You stories, and maybe that framed how I read this. It did exceed my expectations, and I definitely didn't expect to have so many comments to make about it. The storyline itself is interesting and captivating. The way the author manages to weave the story between two timelines is well done, and it's intriguing. Nevertheless, some aspects of it took me out in very relevant ways.

Firstly,
the moment Paul and Liv meet is filled with outdated jokes about appearing gay. The very idea of Liv, as a heterosexual woman, going to a gay bar to feel safe is problematic. I simply didn't like or find funny these bits at all, and they almost made me stop reading.


Secondly, I found it difficult to connect with Liv as a character, a big contrast with Sophie, who immediately captivated me.
Even though her story calls to be empathic, the idea of a privileged woman relying on her (12 years older than her) husband, who although struggling with bills lives a very comfortable life (I take issue with the character of Fran being introduced solely to make Liv appear more down to earth), and who refuses profusely from the beginning to return a painting in a context of restitution and reparation just because of sentimental value and arguing she's owned it for almost ten years (even if we later know it'd be better kept in her hands) is really unlikeable. I found her initial argument to be inappropriate and even ethically grey, which may have been the point, but I don't think it was handled well. I found the characterization of the whole second part a bit weak, particularly Mo's and Paul's.
I did like how it explored the idea of justice and morality on the subject of the restitution of works of art, though, again, I don't think was handled properly.

Regarding romance, I think it was done beatuifully from Sophie's side. The development of her and Édouard's relationship was convincing and charming.
Her relationship with the Kommandant made me uncomfortable at times, though I can see looking back that it was the author's intentions, and it was well achieved.
Liv's romance, on the other hand, I think was absolutely unnecessary. I didn't like it at all, found it too hurried and silly.
There was one particular moment where it seemed like the author wanted to draw a parallel between their relationship and Sophie's with the Kommandant, which I found disgusting and inappropriate.
Overall, it was too straight, in more ways than one.

Finally,
I found the trial to be artificially long. I could see the ending coming from the beginning, and it seemed it was only delayed to make room for Liv and Paul's (unnecessary, unlikeable) romance.
I think that I would've liked this book better if it was more of a historical mystery, and less of a romance.
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