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…
In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for the thing they love most – whatever the cost.
Jojo Moyes delivers again with each of her three books being vastly different in tone and topic. I was thrilled to read a dual period book where the historical aspect is WW1 as thereโs an surplus of books that take on WW2. Iโm in agreement with many reviewers that the story of Sophie and Edouard were by far the best part of the book. Everyone who visited the Le Coq Rouge or lived in the town shared a common fear of the Germans yet their essence and emotions were individualized and clearly portrayed. Iโm quite glad that the cover of this book didnโt show an image or rendering of The Girl You Left Behind, as I feel as if that piece of art was itโs own character with itโs own life, musings and travels. I have a vivid picture of what it looks like and donโt want my image blighted in any form. Well written and thought out, I highly recommend this book.
Quotes I liked:
These moods were simply weather fronts to be borne and adapted to.โ
โIt was like a slap. My sister and I glared at each other, and I felt as though I were teetering on the edge of something. Nobody fights you like your own sister; nobody else knows themost vulnerable parts of you and will aim for them without mercy.โ
โYou slept with him without Googling him? Oh my G-d, when you said you were out of the dating loop I never thought for a minute…You donโt sleep with someone without doing background, Jesus.โ
โOnce it is done, it cannot be undone.โ
โDo you know how dissapointment tastes? Like iron filings in cold coffee.โ
โNobody listens anymore. Everyone knows what they want to hear, but nobody actually listens.โ
Every day I clean the Winchestersโ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I try to ignore how Nina makes a... read more
Review:The Measure by Nikki Erlick was a book I waited far too long to read. I just couldnโt stomach the idea that everyone in the world would find out their relative life span. The whole idea of this scared me but when my book club chose to read it, I dug in with enthusiasm.Iโm so glad I did. This book is more about life and how we live it, rather than about dying. Itโs told by a cast of eight characters who are deeply affected by the strings they received. The length of the string parallels the length of your life. All the characters are struggling with their results because even if he or she gets a long string, there will still be people they know will be gone soon.How the world at large handles the strings was so well done. People are switching boxes hoping it could change their destiny. Support groups are offered. Protests occur. The world is in a very different place. Much of this book made me think about the differences between fate and destiny. This story offers many intertwined connections between the characters that makes for a powerful and meaningful ending. Iโm so looking forward to whatโs next from this author. @nikkierlick @williammorrowbooks William Morrow ๐ Would you open a box that told you how long your lifespan is?#themeasure #scifilight#bookreader #bookclubpick #goodbookfairy... See MoreSee Less