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From Goodreads:
In 1916 French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie
to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of
Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk
everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true
love one last time.
Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened...
Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened...
My Review:
This is a two for one story. The first part is set in 1916 St.
Peronne. It is fall and their little
town has been occupied during World War I.
There is a new Kommandant in the town and he has set his sights on
Sophie. Sophie’s husband has been gone
fighting against the Germans and she does not truly know where he is or what
has happen to him. In this part of the
story there is two parts. The story of
the occupation of St. Perrone and how a community reacts and survives in the
small town and the story of Sophie and Edouard’s love. Throughout the story Sophie reflects back
and tells how she met and fell in love with Edouard. Sophie’s portrait, The Girl You Left Behind,
is what keeps her strong and reminds her of the girl she use to be and who she
wants to be again. At the end of this
part the reader was left wondering what had become of Sophie, I loved this.
The second part of this story is 2006 in London. This is the story of Liv Halston. On her honeymoon her husband purchases The
Girl You Left Behind from a lady who was throwing it away. When her husband passes away suddenly Liv
becomes very attached to the painting.
When a company decides that the painting truly belongs to Sophie’s
family and it needs to be return Liv is devastated and decides to fight
it. In the process of fighting it she
discovers Sophie’s history and the paintings history. I loved learning of the rest of Sophie’s life. The outcome of who owns the painting is right
on and I believe that Sophie would be extremely pleased with who the owner
truly is.
The way these two stories come together is amazing. I had thoughts and opinions of what should
happen and how it should be, but am pleased to say that I was not always right
on. The surprise twists entertained me until
the very end.
Although you experience the feelings of despair and
hopelessness in The Girl You Left Behind, there are also the feelings of hope,
love and optimism. I will definitely
recommend this novel.
Purchase The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
Follow Jojo Moyes
I enjoyed reading your review. I enjoyed this book as well. It was an emotional read.
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