Review: The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes

I debated whether or nor I should even write a review for this book, as I wasn’t sure I would have enough to say about it. In the end I decided why not? I’m sure I can think of something useful to say. 

This book is written by Jojo Moyes, who also wrote “Me Before You”, the latest it-book in the chick-lit genre. It takes place partly in France during the First World War and partly in modern day London. We follow two women who are connected through a painting. This painting is called “The Girl You Left Behind” and it is a portrait of Sophie, the first woman, living in France during the war, painted by her husband. Many many years later the painting is bought by Liv’s husband, who gives it to her as a wedding gift. The husband dies and Liv sees the painting as a tangible connection to him, along with the house he built for them to live in. 

When Liv meets a new man he turns out to be on the hunt for her painting, as it is believed to have been looted during the war. A nasty court case ensues, with the two opposing sides fighting bitterly for the ownership of the painting. Liv tries to prove that it wasn’t stolen, while the descendants of the painter argues that it was and should be returned to them. 

The book definitely has a number of interesting themes. There is life under occupation in northern France, how to handle co-existing with an enemy, how gossip can ruin lives, grief and letting go of something, new love and the overarching theme of the ethics regarding stolen and looted art. 

Overall I really enjoyed the story. We jump back and forth between 1917 and modern day, and I did think the sections were often too long. I was convinced the first part about Sophie was the theme for the entire book, as we weren’t introduced to Liv’s story line until quite late. I did find both stories interesting, but the long pauses between them were a little annoying. 

For me there was also a problem with pacing. The book definitely had some slow bits in the middle and I was starting to wonder when it was ever going to end. It got a bit repetitive too, during the court case, as the expected verdict went back and forth a number of times depending on new evidence. I get that that was supposed to create tension and drama, but in the end it was just repetitive how an amazing new piece of evidence was found by the prosecution, then by the defense, then again by the prosecution and then again again by the defense, back and forth endlessly. And it all came together a little too nicely for my taste in the end. But as I said I enjoyed the book, and I would recommend it to anyone, who is looking for an interesting story with a bit of historical fiction, love and ethics. 

I gave this book 3 stars out of 5 on Goodreads.