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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I liked the bits with Sophie and her family and friends, she was a lovely fiery character and I could believe her conflict. Then Liv, who needed a big kick up the rear. There was nothing at all about her that was likeable. So she was grieving, in this big glass money pit, but could still hire hot shot lawyers and get all worked up over a painting? I tried to find some sympathy but nope. Paul was just annoying, and there were too many convenient twists and coincidences along the way.
That said, I read it quite willingly. It could have easily have been a good 100 pages shorter though.
That said, I read it quite willingly. It could have easily have been a good 100 pages shorter though.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i don’t usually read dual timeline stories and especially those with present day portions because i usually don’t care about the modern timeline, and made an exception for this book because the historical timeline was set in world war one. turns out my hyperfixation time period can’t compensate for my distaste of dual timelines
Having never read any of Jojo Moyes books before I didn't know what to expect, and I was not disappointed.
"The Girl you left behind" begins with the story of Sophie, living in France during the First World War. Sophie's husband Edouard,an artist,is at war and she is running the family hotel with her sister, which is taken over by the Germans. Sophie's most prized possession is her portrait painted by her husband, entitled The Girl you left behind. Sophie becomes involved with the German Kommandant in charge of her village, which eventually causes her fall from grace.
Part two of the book focuses on Liv, who is now the current owner of the portrait, which was bought to her as a gift by her late husband. The family of Sophie's husband believe the portrait should be returned to them. Thus commences a long battle, through which Liv may lose everything.
This is a wonderful, touching story in which the stories of the two women are so well entwined. I simply could not put this book down as I was wondering what was going to happen next. Most definitely a best seller!
"The Girl you left behind" begins with the story of Sophie, living in France during the First World War. Sophie's husband Edouard,an artist,is at war and she is running the family hotel with her sister, which is taken over by the Germans. Sophie's most prized possession is her portrait painted by her husband, entitled The Girl you left behind. Sophie becomes involved with the German Kommandant in charge of her village, which eventually causes her fall from grace.
Part two of the book focuses on Liv, who is now the current owner of the portrait, which was bought to her as a gift by her late husband. The family of Sophie's husband believe the portrait should be returned to them. Thus commences a long battle, through which Liv may lose everything.
This is a wonderful, touching story in which the stories of the two women are so well entwined. I simply could not put this book down as I was wondering what was going to happen next. Most definitely a best seller!
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I could not connect with either of the main female protagonist. Not for me.
This was incredible. Basically cried through the last chapters of it. But beautiful writing. Will definitely be checking out more of her books.
4.5 stars. I think this was my favorite Jojo Moyes book to date. Not 5 stars because the "current" sections were a little too contrived.
I really, really liked this book. I'm not sure I've ever read anything about German occupation during WWI...and truthfully, I wasn't even aware how prominent the German occupation was during that war. I always assumed that only happened during WWII.
This is the story about two women, separated by almost a century. In the first part of the book, we learn about Sophie, a young woman living in a small town in France during the first world war. She is running the hotel there, along with her sister. Of course, much like would have happened in the second world war, their hotel is taken over control by the German soldiers that have invaded her small town. Much to their towns-people's dismay, the sisters have no choice but to do as the German's say. (I felt there were a lot of similarities here with The Nightingale - but not in a bad way!). Of the few possessions that Sophie still owns, is a painting of herself that her beloved husband painted of her before the war started. This painting of course, becomes a hot topic of discussion between herself and the German commanding officer who has taken over her hotel.
Fast forward to (almost) present day and we meet, Liv. Liv lives in England and is the present owner of the aforementioned painting. While her husband and her were on their honeymoon in Paris some ten years ago, they were gifted the painting by the daughter of the woman who had owned it (who had since passed on). That painting meant everything in the world to Liv after her husband passed away.
At first, I just wanted to keep reading about Sophie. I didn't want to switch stories and learn about a whole new character and her backstory, and I wasn't sure how Moyes' was going to bring these two stories together in an interesting way. But she did, and I wasn't disappointed. During WWI, we learn that Sophie will do anything to ensure her husband's safety, including using her painting to her advantage, and in present day, Liv will do whatever it takes to remain the rightful owner of Sophie's portrait.
A story of love, extreme loss, desperation and determination, The Girl You Left Behind was a wonderful book, and I was sad when there were no more pages to turn.
This is the story about two women, separated by almost a century. In the first part of the book, we learn about Sophie, a young woman living in a small town in France during the first world war. She is running the hotel there, along with her sister. Of course, much like would have happened in the second world war, their hotel is taken over control by the German soldiers that have invaded her small town. Much to their towns-people's dismay, the sisters have no choice but to do as the German's say. (I felt there were a lot of similarities here with The Nightingale - but not in a bad way!). Of the few possessions that Sophie still owns, is a painting of herself that her beloved husband painted of her before the war started. This painting of course, becomes a hot topic of discussion between herself and the German commanding officer who has taken over her hotel.
Fast forward to (almost) present day and we meet, Liv. Liv lives in England and is the present owner of the aforementioned painting. While her husband and her were on their honeymoon in Paris some ten years ago, they were gifted the painting by the daughter of the woman who had owned it (who had since passed on). That painting meant everything in the world to Liv after her husband passed away.
At first, I just wanted to keep reading about Sophie. I didn't want to switch stories and learn about a whole new character and her backstory, and I wasn't sure how Moyes' was going to bring these two stories together in an interesting way. But she did, and I wasn't disappointed. During WWI, we learn that Sophie will do anything to ensure her husband's safety, including using her painting to her advantage, and in present day, Liv will do whatever it takes to remain the rightful owner of Sophie's portrait.
A story of love, extreme loss, desperation and determination, The Girl You Left Behind was a wonderful book, and I was sad when there were no more pages to turn.
The Girl You Left Behind was not the book I expected when I began reading. I purposely hadn't read much about the book, I had loved ME BEFORE YOU. I hadn't expected the first third to be historical fiction but Jojo Moyes wrote of Sophie and her love of Edouard with the realistic setting of 1916 France. This part of the story was brutal and stark, the Germans cruelty and the virtual starvation of the people in the village. Sophie recalls how she and Edouard met in Paris and he began to paint the haunting portrait of her that is named, The Girl You left behind. I thought Sophie was generous and loving to her family, she took risks and it allowed them to have a bit more food as they were serving the Germans that they detested.
Just when there is great turmoil with Sophie's life, the book takes us to nearly present day London. Liv Halston is barely functioning. Her husband passed away four years ago, and she lives almost completely in the glass house he built for them. As an architect he was just coming into his own when he died. Liv loves her home, and a beloved painting her husband gave her. Liv doesn't date, and rarely goes out. I found it completely believable that she would be hesitant and yet almost eager to start something romantic or sexual when she meets Paul. Liv is torn in her feelings. At the same time Liv runs into an old classmate and Mo actually moves in to her guest room. Liv is opening up to all kids of new relationships.
Essentially The Girl You Left Behind is a love story, or several love stories. Love seems to override the desperation of war for Sophie, and love keeps Liv going when she loses David, and the opportunity to love again pushes Liv to take a chance when she meets Paul. When she fears she may be losing the portrait she has come to symbolize the love she once had she is fierce in her actions to hold onto it. While others around her warn she is risking way too much for a piece of art, Liv feels she must keep it, for David, for herself.
I loved this book, Jojo Moyes does not disappoint in giving us yet another story that brought tears to my eyes and in the end a satisfying read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and contemporary literature. I venture to say romance lovers would enjoy this one too.
Just when there is great turmoil with Sophie's life, the book takes us to nearly present day London. Liv Halston is barely functioning. Her husband passed away four years ago, and she lives almost completely in the glass house he built for them. As an architect he was just coming into his own when he died. Liv loves her home, and a beloved painting her husband gave her. Liv doesn't date, and rarely goes out. I found it completely believable that she would be hesitant and yet almost eager to start something romantic or sexual when she meets Paul. Liv is torn in her feelings. At the same time Liv runs into an old classmate and Mo actually moves in to her guest room. Liv is opening up to all kids of new relationships.
Essentially The Girl You Left Behind is a love story, or several love stories. Love seems to override the desperation of war for Sophie, and love keeps Liv going when she loses David, and the opportunity to love again pushes Liv to take a chance when she meets Paul. When she fears she may be losing the portrait she has come to symbolize the love she once had she is fierce in her actions to hold onto it. While others around her warn she is risking way too much for a piece of art, Liv feels she must keep it, for David, for herself.
I loved this book, Jojo Moyes does not disappoint in giving us yet another story that brought tears to my eyes and in the end a satisfying read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and contemporary literature. I venture to say romance lovers would enjoy this one too.