Title: The Girl You Left Behind
Author: Jojo Moyes
Genre: Historical Fiction
The title of this book is also the title of a painting which is at the center of this beautifully told novel. Sophie is the "girl" in the painting which her famed artist husband painted of her prior to his leaving to fight at the front. It is 1916 France and the Germans have taken occupation of their small village. Sophie does her best to survive and care for her family, but ultimately a harrowing decision was met by devastating consequences.
A shift in the story brings the reader to almost a century later London where Sophie's portrait is hanging in Liv Halston's home; a wedding gift from her deceased husband. What ensues is a heartbreaking story as the painting is found to be one of the many works of art stolen during the war and heirs have come forward to reclaim it as rightful ownership. An ugly legal battle threatens to bring additional heartbreak and financial ruin to Liv as she refuses to let go of the Girl You Left Behind. I loved the alternating historical story as it was woven throughout the more current story of today.
- Karen
Check out The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes @ the library!
