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The Girl You Left Behind [Paperback]

Jojo Moyes
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (495 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Book Description

27 Sep 2012

The Girl You Left Behind is a hauntingly romantic and utterly irresistible new weepy from Jojo Moyes, author of the Richard and Judy bestseller, Me Before You.

What happened to the girl you left behind?

France, 1916. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe whilst her adored husband Edouard fights at the front. When she is ordered to serve the German officers who descend on her hotel each evening, her home becomes riven by fierce tensions. And from the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait - painted by Edouard - a dangerous obsession is born, which will lead Sophie to make a dark and terrible decision.

Almost a century later, and Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before he died. A chance encounter reveals the painting's true worth, and its troubled history. A history that is about to resurface and turn Liv's life upside down all over again . . .

In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for what they love most - whatever the cost.

If you can't wait for The Girl You Left Behind treat yourself to the prequel, Honeymoon in Paris, Jojo Moyes' irresistible ebook-only novella out now.

Praise for Jojo Moyes:

'Destined to be the novel that friends press upon each other more than any other . . . Moyes does a majestic job of conjuring a cast of characters who are charismatic, credible and utterly compelling' Independent on Sunday

'This truly beautiful story made us laugh, smile and sob like a baby' Closer

Jojo Moyes is a novelist and a journalist. She worked at the Independent for ten years before leaving to write full time. Her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed and include the Richard and Judy bestseller Me Before You, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Ship of Brides and Foreign Fruit.


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Product details

  • Paperback: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (27 Sep 2012)
  • Language: Unknown
  • ISBN-10: 0718157842
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718157845
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 3.2 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (495 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

Even as Moyes tackles the inflammatory issues around art stolen during wartime, she never loses sight of the driving engine of her narrative . . . this pleasurably assured writer skilfully balances the quotidian and the comic with the broad and universal, leaving us with the tantalising possibility of a potential caper to come (Independent on Sunday )

Jojo Moyes paints a genuinely moving, beautiful picture of how love and belief will ultimately win the war, even if they can't win the battle. The Girl You Left Behind is a true work of art (Fabulous )

This story is wonderfully well-written and completely engrossing, with exquisitely drawn characters in a brilliantly plotted narrative. It will make you think long after you finish the final page (Daily Mail )

Moyes is the queen of the classy weepy and this won't disappoint. A masterclass in story-telling that fans of Me Before You will adore (Elle )

Another heart-stoppingly brilliant novel from Jojo Moyes (Marie Claire )

About the Author

Jojo Moyes is a novelist and a journalist. She worked at the Independent for ten years before leaving to write full time. Her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed and include Me Before You, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Ship of Brides and Foreign Fruit. She lives in Essex with her husband and their three children.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
96 of 97 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Pictures painted 9 July 2012
By Sukie TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Jojo Moyes is fast becoming one of my favourite authors - I loved Me Before You and The Last Letter, and was really excited to read this new novel.

The Girl You Left Behind opens grippingly with the story of Sophie Lefevre and her family. It is 1916, and her French village has been occupied by the Germans - life is tough. Sophie's husband Edouard, an artist, is away at war and she and her sister Helene are struggling to make ends meet, running Le Coq Rouge, the village inn. Then a German Kommandant insists that they begin cooking for his men, much to Sophie's disgust. Chillingly, the Kommandant seems to take a liking to Sophie, and appears bewitched by the portrait Edouard painted of her, entitled The Girl You Left Behind. Can Sophie use his liking of her to get information about her husband... or is that a dangerous game too far?

The action turns to the present day and we meet Liv Halston, a young widow, who is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life following the death of her beloved husband, David. The Girl You Left Behind now hangs on her wall, a gift from David, yet she has no idea of the story behind the painting... until the Lefevre family start trying to trace the missing artwork, claiming that it was looted illegally by the German army during the war, and should rightfully be returned to them. Desperate not to be parted from her husband's gift, Liv digs in her heels. Moyes cleverly reveals the story of Sophie, and the two women's lives become entwined.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book - I was gripped by Sophie's storyline. She is a great character - feisty and resourceful, proud, spirited and loving - yet fallible and vulnerable too. I found the second half of the novel much slower and in all honesty, a bit long. I wished that the legal part of the story could have been cut right back, I much preferred the relationship dramas to this element. I also lost some sympathy for Liv and wasn't quite convinced by some of her actions.

Overall, I enjoyed the book - Moyes writes brilliantly as ever - but for me, it didn't pack quite the same emotional punch as this author's previous novels.
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84 of 89 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointing 1 July 2012
By FLB TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
I feel bad about writing anything remotely negative about this book. I first read JoJo Moyes a few months ago when I read "Me before you" - a book that made me love, laugh, sob and grieve. I don't think I had ever read a book quite like it and I could not wait for the new novel.

I was lucky enough to get a pre-release and it arrived yesterday.......I read the whole book (400+ pages) in one day, finishing late last night.

I really liked the story of Sophie and occupied France, I could picture Le Coq Rouge and life in the first world war and I was so engrossed in her story I could not put the book down.

Then in the second part came Liv and the prolonged and somewhat dull court battle around the painting Liv was left by her deceased husband. The second part of the book bored me and I found myself almost speed reading through the pages to get back to Sophie.

I am sure the book will be enjoyed by many, the story is clever and is very well written, but my gripe is that I just wasn't moved in the same way 'Me before you' moved me.....I found parts of this story boring, drawn out and not required. I would have quite happily read 500 pages exclusively about Sophie and given it 5 stars.

I am sorry JoJo, but it just didn't thrill me like your last book.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Started off brilliant 16 Dec 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
A good book with a really good concept and interesting story running through it.
I thought the first half the book was much stronger however, I couldn't put it down. Didn't have the same connection with the second half however and was a bit bored by the end.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars An Unexpected Delight!
I bought this book weeks ago and then doubted my choice. Not really liking to read about war I kept putting the book to the bottom of my 'to read' pile! Read more
Published 7 hours ago by CC
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Very emotional, great read, captured from start to finish! Only the second of her books I have read, I want more!!!!
Published 1 day ago by Flyingfairy83
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
loved the historical backdrop to this story which combined with the story kept my interest and eagerness to know the outcome
Published 1 day ago by happy reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book Club Read
A difficult subject which I thought was handled extremely well. I enjoyed reading it and found it difficult to put down. Baz
Published 1 day ago by baz
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
I enjoyed the story and found it hard to put down, well written and a good plot with a satisfying conclusion.
Published 2 days ago by Sheils
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
This is yet another really good JoJo Moyes book.
It has you right in the story from the minute you start to read. Highly recommended
Published 3 days ago by judith grant
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely
A difficult subject and I wondered if it would be too depressing. But, like all her books, it was beautifully written and uplifting. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Mrs.Diane Walton
5.0 out of 5 stars A really great story
The girl you left behind is one of the best stories I have ever read. The research is fantastic. I have an old friend with personal experience and he also thought lot a terrific... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Pollyanna
4.0 out of 5 stars The story of a painting
I loved Me Before You, Jojo Moyes previous book, and had some reservations about reading this latest one thinking it would be hard to reach the same standard again. Read more
Published 4 days ago by totnes_nigel
5.0 out of 5 stars Sorry it came to an end
So many late nights with this enthralling story, I just couldn't put it down! I am enjoying Jo Jo Moyes writing
Published 5 days ago by Jacqueline J Grant
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