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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. This story is told from two different perspectives - Sophie, a French girl during WWI, and Liv, a young widow in present day. It doesn't alternate the chapters, but instead the first half is Sophie, and then it switches to Liv with a few chapters of Sophie thrown in. I absolutely loved the part about Sophie, but the present day portion was a little slow going and fell a little flat for me. But, the ending was satisfying and it was an enjoyable read.
My love for historical stories, lately ones of WWI and WWII, and also my love for Jojo Moyes, I began this amazing book. This story truly grabbed me from word one and took me on a tortuous journey while Sophie lived in German occupied France during WWI. Her husband had been gone 2 years fighting for France and she missed him terribly. Stories of what happens, and witnessing some of it herself, she was desperate to ensure her husband survived. She would do anything! All this is raveled so tightly around a painting Eduard painted (named: The Girl You Left Behind) for Sophie on the night of their honeymoon. Add in a appreciating eye of a German Commandant and deals and tragedy and then many years in the future, we switch to the story being told by another point of view. And so the story unravels.
It's definitely a tear-jerker and you'll have to read so you can know how it ends. :D
It's definitely a tear-jerker and you'll have to read so you can know how it ends. :D
Perhaps it's that 'Me Before You' is by far the most moving, life altering book I've ever read, that brought me here. It raised the bar for 'The Girl You Left Behind'. I fear the book didn't keep me on my toes. It didn't keep me from calling it a night. It didn't wreck my world and light me on fire.
Having said that, it's a beautiful book. Separated by time, I can see how they are the spitting image of each other. Both Sophie and Liv lose everything they care for. Everyone around them turn against them. You flip pages wanting to know what has happened to Sophie and what will happen to Liv.
It's worth reading. I'm a bit disappointed that it did not have the 'Me Before You' effect', but it sure is better than many of the books that are making headlines out there.
Having said that, it's a beautiful book. Separated by time, I can see how they are the spitting image of each other. Both Sophie and Liv lose everything they care for. Everyone around them turn against them. You flip pages wanting to know what has happened to Sophie and what will happen to Liv.
It's worth reading. I'm a bit disappointed that it did not have the 'Me Before You' effect', but it sure is better than many of the books that are making headlines out there.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved both stories: Sophie's during WWI and Liv's in present time. I would definitely recommend this book.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First of all. Thank you Ms. Jojo Moyes for a wonderful and emotional book. The book was such a ride because whenever I’m reading Sophie’s story I can’t get enough of it to the point that I’d be dissapointed if the chapter would turn into Lev’s POV, and it was also the same with Liv!! In short it was a wonderful story to read about people falling in love and risking and being selfless for the name of love.
Can’t wait to read more books that you’ve written Ms. Jojo!
Can’t wait to read more books that you’ve written Ms. Jojo!
I really enjoyed this booked, especially the second half. I know some reviews felt the author didn’t do Liv justice, but i think it was enough. It’s worth the read.
This is a wonderful mix of historical and current day stories with a bit of mystery thrown in as well. I loved seeing how the stories intertwined throughout the unveiling of their lives.
The story moved a little slowly--a bit too much moping for my taste--but Moyes does a wonderful job of crafting a host of beautifully flawed characters that you desperately want to know what happens to them.
The story moved a little slowly--a bit too much moping for my taste--but Moyes does a wonderful job of crafting a host of beautifully flawed characters that you desperately want to know what happens to them.
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes is first of all a book that's been in my book queue for a ridiculous amount of time. In preparation for the upcoming book sale, I'm trying to read the books I've had the longest. That said, I should have read this sooner as it's such a compelling story. This is the second Jojo Moyes I've read that has a historical mystery layer, and she does a really great job of building these stories and connecting them to a present day happening! This story began in Paris during World War I. Sophie's artist husband Edouard is at war, and she is back at home. She is forced to prepare and serve meals (while she and the French residents are on rations) to the German troops in the area. The Kommandant takes a particular liking to a painting Edouard has done of her, but for Sophie this is a lasting connection to her husband she desperately wants to see again. In the present day, the painting resurfaces on Liv's mantle. She knows little of its history, but she has always connected with the women in the painting. As (bad) luck then has it, it is revealed to Liv what this painting actually is, and this sets in motion quite the chain of events. This was such a compelling read of both Sophie and Liv's stories. There was such emotion in each as they navigated love, relationships, and trying to figure out what the "right" thing to do in tough circumstances was. It had an ending that was particularly powerful as the stories came together. This one was an interesting premise in both past and present, and it kept me reading to figure out what was going to happen to the painting, but more than that, it was what would happen to Liv and Sophie.
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
enrolou no meio, mas valeu uma madrugada acordada, um coração quente e algumas lágrimas de tão belo.