Helpful Score: 6
I enjoyed this book! It definitely had me wondering what was around the corner at every bend. I came to care about the characters, which is always an important thing to me when reading a novel. Not the "deepest" book on the planet, but that's ok, sometimes that's not what you are in the mood for. The scenes that were written in France, made me feel that I was right there at the little hotel, helping cook for the Germansvery well written. I think you will enjoy this book!
Fast and compelling read, for those interested in entwined love stories of complex and flawed relationships, set in content of the twists and turns of life during war (WWI) and life during the ascent of social media and restitution cases. Very well-balanced page-turner.
Helpful Score: 1
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A book with fantastic twists and turns that could keep any reader guessing until the very end! Liv has been holding on to a painting given by her late husband who died way too young and it is the one thing that helps keep the happy memories of their marriage alive. While at the same time, the subject of this painting - Sophie is fighting to keep the memories of her husband who is off to war alive, whether he is alive or not.
A book with fantastic twists and turns that could keep any reader guessing until the very end! Liv has been holding on to a painting given by her late husband who died way too young and it is the one thing that helps keep the happy memories of their marriage alive. While at the same time, the subject of this painting - Sophie is fighting to keep the memories of her husband who is off to war alive, whether he is alive or not.
Helpful Score: 1
This is really two stories, one during WWI, the other in current times. Both involve a painting, called 'The Girl You Left Behind'. Sad, to be sure but still an interesting read.
Helpful Score: 1
Liked this book a lot. The characters were very well developed and it told what it was like in WWI for the occupied area of France and the women left to deal with the occupiers. There is a lot written about WWII but this was the first one I've read about the first world war. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
AMAZING book! It is the story of Sophie and her portrait painted by her husband in the First World War during the German occupation of France. The book interweaves seamlessly a century later in London with the story of Liv, now owner of the painting, as a legal battle for it ensues.
It is a long book I could hardly put down and didn't want to end. Sophie's story and what she endured stayed with me for a long time.
I highly recommend this book, it is now on my long list of most favorites!
It is a long book I could hardly put down and didn't want to end. Sophie's story and what she endured stayed with me for a long time.
I highly recommend this book, it is now on my long list of most favorites!
Good story, I read the interesting parts, which is the World War One part. It might be easy to confuse this WW1 setting with German Atrocities of WWII. There were harsh reprisal camps for French POWs, apparently in reprisal for the Allies sending German POWs to work camps in North Africa.
Very interesting story of WW1 German occupation of France and those people who were killed, sent to concentration camps, and used as slave labor. Not as well written as others I have read but still a good read.
Having first read the tale of Sophie Lefèvre and her husband, Eduoard, in a novella about their first days of marriage, I was happy to return to the characters in this book. It's a sad tale dedicated to love as two unlikely individuals discover each other. Their love is truly the discovery of soul mates and as their lives are turned upside down during WWII and the Nazis it continues. Separated by the chaos of war, they keep their love foremost in their hearts and minds as they endure atrocities that break many people.
Sophie finds herself living with her sister while Eduoard is in Paris. Knowledge of what is happening to the other is sparse but both believe that the other still lives somewhere somehow. The linking feature is the portrait he painted showing the "true" Sophie he adores. The haunting painting attracts much attention and eventually brings the two together again through an unlikely German officer. However, so much happens prior to this meeting as the endure torture and life in concentration camps. Read this one to unveil the entire story.
Sophie finds herself living with her sister while Eduoard is in Paris. Knowledge of what is happening to the other is sparse but both believe that the other still lives somewhere somehow. The linking feature is the portrait he painted showing the "true" Sophie he adores. The haunting painting attracts much attention and eventually brings the two together again through an unlikely German officer. However, so much happens prior to this meeting as the endure torture and life in concentration camps. Read this one to unveil the entire story.
