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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
This is the first Jojo Moyes novel that I have read, and, knowing that Jojo Moyes is so popular and has been enjoying huge success with her last book “Me BeforeYou”, I had high hopes and expectations that this book would also be a sure fire winner – I have not been disappointed – this is an absolutely delightful and lovely read which kept me enthralled, gripped and intrigued from start to finish.
It consists of two main parts – the first part set in France during the First World War, which tells the story of Sophie Lefevre and her family during the German occupation. A German Kommandant shows great interest in Sophie and becomes sinisterly captivated by a portrait of Sophie painted by her husband Edouard. The Kommandant’s attentions set in motion a series of events which lead Sophie to make some difficult, dangerous and terrifying decisions which she hopes will help lead to her being reunited with her husband. The second part tells Liv’s story set in present day London. The portrait was bought for Liv 100 years later by her husband David before he died. Liv has no idea of the portrait’s history, or of Sophie’s story or, indeed, how radically Sophie’s portrait will ultimately affect her life. As the story unfolds we learn the past that inexorably links the two women and how history will change Liv’s life forever.
It’s a story about love, selflessness, fear, loss, uncertainty, chance, and determination. It’s about fighting for what you believe in – fighting for all that you love most - at whatever cost and without ever losing hope.
I loved this book and will certainly be reading more of Jojo Moyes work. A thoroughly enjoyable read – highly recommended!
It consists of two main parts – the first part set in France during the First World War, which tells the story of Sophie Lefevre and her family during the German occupation. A German Kommandant shows great interest in Sophie and becomes sinisterly captivated by a portrait of Sophie painted by her husband Edouard. The Kommandant’s attentions set in motion a series of events which lead Sophie to make some difficult, dangerous and terrifying decisions which she hopes will help lead to her being reunited with her husband. The second part tells Liv’s story set in present day London. The portrait was bought for Liv 100 years later by her husband David before he died. Liv has no idea of the portrait’s history, or of Sophie’s story or, indeed, how radically Sophie’s portrait will ultimately affect her life. As the story unfolds we learn the past that inexorably links the two women and how history will change Liv’s life forever.
It’s a story about love, selflessness, fear, loss, uncertainty, chance, and determination. It’s about fighting for what you believe in – fighting for all that you love most - at whatever cost and without ever losing hope.
I loved this book and will certainly be reading more of Jojo Moyes work. A thoroughly enjoyable read – highly recommended!
I enjoyed listening to this, but the more I think about it, the less I like it! I think there were some gaping holes in the way things went down in both story lines. Simple solutions/ more obvious reactions overlooked. Also, both stories run off the believability track towards the end. But I still enjoyed the heck out of the listening to it!
I was curious about the premise for The Girl You Left Behind. I really felt for Sophie with her half of the story and how she tries to make the best of her situation. The author does a wonderful job in portraying the difficult line that the residents of this town had to balance with the occupiers they are forced to live with day in and day out.
I initially found Liv’s story in our present-day interesting. I felt sympathy for her as she is still grieving for the loss of her husband and how her life was slowly falling apart with the issue of the mortgage and struggling to live from day to day. But as Liv’s story and the issue about the painting becomes clearer and more involved in the overall story, intersecting with everyone’s lives, Liv became rather irritating to me with some of the decisions she makes along the way. (Putting the following behind a spoiler cut just in case)
Overall, I enjoyed The Girl You Left Behind enough. I especially liked Sophie’s story and her struggle to find her husband and reunite with him no matter the cost. But Liv’s stubbornness and lack of rational decision-making left me rather irritated for a good chunk of the novel, hence why I’m rating this novel a 3 instead of a 4.
My complete review of the title was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/08/09/review-the-girl-you-left-behind/
I initially found Liv’s story in our present-day interesting. I felt sympathy for her as she is still grieving for the loss of her husband and how her life was slowly falling apart with the issue of the mortgage and struggling to live from day to day. But as Liv’s story and the issue about the painting becomes clearer and more involved in the overall story, intersecting with everyone’s lives, Liv became rather irritating to me with some of the decisions she makes along the way. (Putting the following behind a spoiler cut just in case)
Spoiler
I understand the sentimental value behind the painting, the importance of keeping to Sophie’s memory and Liv’s indignation that Sophie’s relations are only after the money but Liv is too blinded by her attachment and by her perspective (understandable that she thought that Paul might’ve engineered the whole thing–them meeting, going on dates, etc. just to get closer to her painting; the coincidence is baffling) that she pretty much shuts down every option available to her. Additionally, considering her current situation–the mortgage regarding the house and the bills stacking up–I couldn’t help but think why she would opt to go through all that grief and trouble when she’s already in so much trouble. Luckily things worked out in Liv’s favour but I didn’t feel too relieved; it could’ve easily ended very badly for her.Overall, I enjoyed The Girl You Left Behind enough. I especially liked Sophie’s story and her struggle to find her husband and reunite with him no matter the cost. But Liv’s stubbornness and lack of rational decision-making left me rather irritated for a good chunk of the novel, hence why I’m rating this novel a 3 instead of a 4.
My complete review of the title was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/08/09/review-the-girl-you-left-behind/
One of the only books that's ever made me cry. Love every page.
Another winner by JoJo Moyers. I didn't realize when I began that this was a book of two parallel stories. It unfolds in an exciting way, but wasn't until it got set in modern times did the story pick up and take me in.
The time and character jumps get a little confusing at the beginning. The big reveals didnt feel as impactful as they could have. I love jojo moyes, she makes her characters so relatable and interesting and this book is no different. The characters are wonderful but the story jumps back and forth and instead of keeping me interested it ultimately made me feel impatient. It was still worth reading but not the best jojo moyes book by far.
I really enjoyed this book by Jojo Moyes. I was worried that it wasn't going to be as good as Me Before You which I absolutely adored, but it was good in a very different way. I love Jojo Moyes' characters. Her books aren't typical romance novels, they usually have much more depth to them. I loved it!
More thoughts on The Girl You Left Behind can be found on my blog here
More thoughts on The Girl You Left Behind can be found on my blog here
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I quite enjoyed the parallel stories, especially as it related to the piece of art the book is named for.
I especially loved the part of the story that took place during WWI. This is very different from the other book of hers I've read.
An interesting blend of historical and current fiction, with a painting and art theft as the link.
I kept having to remind myself that the historical part was set in World War I, not II, because the story of the German occupation of France was so familiar from WWII books (just as was the train rides and work camps). The art theft in question(of the titular painting) from then is compared to the Nazi thefts and treated in much the same way, rousing the same passions.
To be honest, the historical part's familiarity was a large part of what cost it a star: excepting the time frame, there was nothing new here in how the village was isolated, starved, commandeered and terrorized by the Germans or how people who were forced to work with them were often accused of collaboration. The only interesting question (for me) was how far Sophie would go to be reunited with her husband. How the painting from that small village to Liv Halston's wall was more interesting and I wish we'd had more of the search for provenance, or of other cases that could be used as precedent.
One question that I wish Liv's attorneys had asked was why the Lefever family felt that the painting was theirs. It had been a gift from Edouard to his wife Sophie, so shouldn't Sophie's descendents rightfully own the painting? The case's conclusion was also a little reliant on a convenient coincidence.
ARC provided by publisher.
I kept having to remind myself that the historical part was set in World War I, not II, because the story of the German occupation of France was so familiar from WWII books (just as was the train rides and work camps). The art theft in question(of the titular painting) from then is compared to the Nazi thefts and treated in much the same way, rousing the same passions.
To be honest, the historical part's familiarity was a large part of what cost it a star: excepting the time frame, there was nothing new here in how the village was isolated, starved, commandeered and terrorized by the Germans or how people who were forced to work with them were often accused of collaboration. The only interesting question (for me) was how far Sophie would go to be reunited with her husband. How the painting from that small village to Liv Halston's wall was more interesting and I wish we'd had more of the search for provenance, or of other cases that could be used as precedent.
One question that I wish Liv's attorneys had asked was why the Lefever family felt that the painting was theirs. It had been a gift from Edouard to his wife Sophie, so shouldn't Sophie's descendents rightfully own the painting? The case's conclusion was also a little reliant on a convenient coincidence.
ARC provided by publisher.