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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
4.5 stars - only knocked off the 0.5 because there was something more than a little too unbelievable toward the end.
"we're terribly proud of you, you know."
"For what?"
"Just for carrying on, really. Sometimes, my darling girl, that's heroic in itself."
"Imagine what?"
"What you lose. Just trying to hang on to a few bits."
"we're terribly proud of you, you know."
"For what?"
"Just for carrying on, really. Sometimes, my darling girl, that's heroic in itself."
"Imagine what?"
"What you lose. Just trying to hang on to a few bits."
I know I just posted another Jojo Moyes review and there are so many other good books out there, but I couldn’t wait to post this one much longer because it’s one of my favorites. The main plot is set in WWII (again, one of my fav book subjects) and has to do with a painting that belonged to a Jewish family. Moyes flashes between present day and the past to then tell the story of a lawyer working to restore the painting to its rightful owner. Honestly I didn’t know that there is an area of law working to restore possessions that had been stolen by Nazis to their rightful owners/Jewish families’ dependents, so not only did I love the story, but I learned so much.
Amazing. Outstanding. Incredible. Brilliant. A masterpiece. Words can't describe how much i loved this books. The characters, the setting, the plot, Jojo's writing!!. It catches you from the first page and then you can't stop reading. And like many Jojo's books, it leaves you with tears in your eyes. Those kind of tears you don't know if they are happy tears because of the ending or sad because you'll miss all the characters, the characters where so developed and beautiful, every one, no matter primary or secondary.
To sum up, you MUST read this masterpiece
To sum up, you MUST read this masterpiece
Posted on http://justaddchampagne.blogspot.ca
First off I would like to award this book with 4 stars. It was a refreshing read that pulled me in right from the start.
I picked up this book because many of my fellow bloggers reviewed it and gave it a high rating, and while I didn't read the actual reviews (sorry guys) I figured that the majority couldn't be wrong. And they weren't as it was super enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone.
True to form, I didn't read the synopsis before starting, so once Part 2 started focusing on present day time I was very confused. Until I went to read the synopsis and understood that it was actually part of the story line. Once that was settled I started reading it with more of an open mind and allowed myself to like the second part.
I really liked the 1916 story of Sophie and her place when Germany occupies their little French town. I just loved the way you got dragged into the war setting and got a feel for what it was actually like for when another country takes over. You lose your belongings, your food, your daily life- something I hope to never have to go through. I also enjoyed that it was about World War 1- a time piece that is usually forgotten in favour of the more popular war. Basically Sophie's husband was sent to fight in the war- Sophie doesn't know his whereabouts, if he's a prisoner or what. The one thing that keeps her going is a picture that Eduard painted of her. This picture is so enchanting that it captures the eye of the Kommandant. The Kommandant moves his troops into Sophie's bar/hotel making Sophie and her sister cook feats for them. (how cruel is that, you are starving and have to cook a full meal). However, an unlikely friendship blossoms. I use the word friendship loosely- acquaintance would be better suited. Because of this, Sophie would offer to do anything to get the Kommandant to allow her to see her husband again, or at least get news of him.
Then part 2 comes.
Liz is a widow living in a spectacular glass house that her late husband built. The one thing she covets the most in this house is a painting; The Girl You Left Behind (the painting of Sophie- if you aren't following along) which her husband had bought her on their honeymoon. Liz finally gets out of her depressed mood and meets Paul. Paul is fantastic. Except for his job. The painting becomes a focus in a legal battle, that essentially puts a strain on their new found relationship.
I felt that the modern day story between Liz and Paul dragged on sometimes. I wanted the story to be more focused on The Girl You Left Behind- Sophie. I kept wanting it to switch gears back to it. And every once in a while Jojo did grant me that wish, splattering happenings of Sophie back into the narrative.Despite that it was still a great read. Both females end up fighting for the one thing that they love the most no matter what the cost. This was the first book I read of Jojo Moyes, and I am now in the process of collecting her other books. She writes in such a way entices you and enchants you.
(Received in exchange for an honest review)
"I never knew real happiness until you.”
"Nobody listens any more. Everyone knows what they want to hear, but nobody actually listens.”
First off I would like to award this book with 4 stars. It was a refreshing read that pulled me in right from the start.
I picked up this book because many of my fellow bloggers reviewed it and gave it a high rating, and while I didn't read the actual reviews (sorry guys) I figured that the majority couldn't be wrong. And they weren't as it was super enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone.
True to form, I didn't read the synopsis before starting, so once Part 2 started focusing on present day time I was very confused. Until I went to read the synopsis and understood that it was actually part of the story line. Once that was settled I started reading it with more of an open mind and allowed myself to like the second part.
I really liked the 1916 story of Sophie and her place when Germany occupies their little French town. I just loved the way you got dragged into the war setting and got a feel for what it was actually like for when another country takes over. You lose your belongings, your food, your daily life- something I hope to never have to go through. I also enjoyed that it was about World War 1- a time piece that is usually forgotten in favour of the more popular war. Basically Sophie's husband was sent to fight in the war- Sophie doesn't know his whereabouts, if he's a prisoner or what. The one thing that keeps her going is a picture that Eduard painted of her. This picture is so enchanting that it captures the eye of the Kommandant. The Kommandant moves his troops into Sophie's bar/hotel making Sophie and her sister cook feats for them. (how cruel is that, you are starving and have to cook a full meal). However, an unlikely friendship blossoms. I use the word friendship loosely- acquaintance would be better suited. Because of this, Sophie would offer to do anything to get the Kommandant to allow her to see her husband again, or at least get news of him.
Then part 2 comes.
Liz is a widow living in a spectacular glass house that her late husband built. The one thing she covets the most in this house is a painting; The Girl You Left Behind (the painting of Sophie- if you aren't following along) which her husband had bought her on their honeymoon. Liz finally gets out of her depressed mood and meets Paul. Paul is fantastic. Except for his job. The painting becomes a focus in a legal battle, that essentially puts a strain on their new found relationship.
I felt that the modern day story between Liz and Paul dragged on sometimes. I wanted the story to be more focused on The Girl You Left Behind- Sophie. I kept wanting it to switch gears back to it. And every once in a while Jojo did grant me that wish, splattering happenings of Sophie back into the narrative.Despite that it was still a great read. Both females end up fighting for the one thing that they love the most no matter what the cost. This was the first book I read of Jojo Moyes, and I am now in the process of collecting her other books. She writes in such a way entices you and enchants you.
(Received in exchange for an honest review)
"I never knew real happiness until you.”
"Nobody listens any more. Everyone knows what they want to hear, but nobody actually listens.”
Didn't finish it.
I did not care for it at all. easy to put down do not bother it is no me before you!
I did not care for it at all. easy to put down do not bother it is no me before you!
3,5 Sterne
Der erste Teil hat mir sehr gut gefallen, leider konnte die Geschichte in der Gegenwart da nicht ganz mithalten, am Anfang war es einfach sehr uninteressant, aber zum Ende hin wurde das Buch dann nochmal besser.
Der erste Teil hat mir sehr gut gefallen, leider konnte die Geschichte in der Gegenwart da nicht ganz mithalten, am Anfang war es einfach sehr uninteressant, aber zum Ende hin wurde das Buch dann nochmal besser.
The story was very engaging. It felt like it ended abruptly though with everything tied up in a bow in the last 5 pages.
I really enjoyed this. Listening to it as an audiobook was a bit frustrating at times (the reader trying to be a French man for instance), but that didn't detract from the story. I got so caught up in the characters that Sophie, and Liv, really irritated me at times - I just couldn't understand WHY they would do something. I think I was more irritated with Sophie than Liv because I can better imagine hanging on to the memories of your dead husband than I can imagine losing your husband to war and having your town invaded.
The perspective of someone about to lose a painting because it was stolen during wartime, rather than the perspective of the family trying to recover it (who I think we would all naturally have more sympathy with) was also interesting. It makes you think, and hopefully not gut-react when you hear about similar situations - the cliche: every story has two sides.
The perspective of someone about to lose a painting because it was stolen during wartime, rather than the perspective of the family trying to recover it (who I think we would all naturally have more sympathy with) was also interesting. It makes you think, and hopefully not gut-react when you hear about similar situations - the cliche: every story has two sides.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Liked the story, but the parallels ran too close together by the end IMO. The idea of the Kommandant keeping his word so that Sophie was able to find her husband and live, AND Liv got her man/won the case did not feel like a realistic ending to an initially heartbreaking story.
I started reading this book yesterday & couldn't put it down. I love how he author blended the past with the present. Best book I've read in a long time.