The Girl You Left Behind

By: Jojo Moyes

Narrated by: Clare Corbett, Penny Rawlins

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of Me Before You, a spellbinding love story of two women separated by a century but united in their determination to fight for what they love most

France, 1916: Artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his young wife, Sophie, to fight at the front. When their small town falls to the Germans in the midst of World War I, Edouard's portrait of Sophie draws the eye of the new Kommandant. As the officer's dangerous obsession deepens, Sophie will risk everything - her family, her reputation, and her life - to see her husband again.

Almost a century later, Sophie's portrait is given to Liv Halston by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. A chance encounter reveals the painting's true worth, and a battle begins for who its legitimate owner is - putting Liv's belief in what is right to the ultimate test.

Like Sarah Blake's The Postmistress and Tatiana de Rosnay's Sarah's Key, The Girl You Left Behind is a breathtaking story of love, loss, and sacrifice told with Moyes's signature ability to capture our hearts.

©2013 Jojo Moyes (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Vibrant and gripping.” (People Magazine, three stars)

"Jojo Moyes expertly weaves a bittersweet tale in this irresistible novel, taking careful interest in the dark corners that exist within great love stories, and the trickiness of simple happy endings. A-" (Entertainment Weekly)

“Moyes writes delicious plots, with characters so clearly imagined they leap off the pages in high-definition prose.... Clever plot turns make for a satisfying ending.... Moyes brings fresh strokes to this story about the power of art and love to transcend what imprisons us. Romantics looking for a story set amid the politics of plundered art couldn't do much better than The Girl You Left Behind.” (USA Today, three and a half stars)

Liked the mix of history, art, romance

Others mention disliking the French-accented English of one of the narrators as inauthentic. I am no expert, but that part of the performance reminded me of my French-Canadian grandmother’s English. So personally speaking, I found the accent charming. In terms of function, I like how two narrators—one French-sounding and the other English-sounding—reminded me which era of the story I was in – especially toward the end, where story sections are shorter than in the beginning of the book.

This Ties Many Stories Together

I really enjoyed this book as it had several stories which all came together in a fascinating way. I never knew what was going to happen next. JoJo Moyes Rules!

nice story

Sad life but happy ending. Would recommend it to my friends. liked the reader. she was very good.

The Reader You Left Behind

Steeped in exquisite description, Ms. Moyes created for me the small town in northern France, the horrific treatment of ones fellow human beings by those in power, and the great love Sophie and Edward shared.
Thank you for a beautiful book.

A must read

Fantastic story, wonderfully written, completely absorbing with a perfect ending! Absolutely loved it! Get started and enjoy!

Loved it

One of my favorite books by Jojo Moyes! Was captured from the start. Loved it, especially the ending.

slow start- hang on its worth it!

I almost returned this book. I wasn't sure the French accent was something I could listen to, i was so used to jojos books being English accented. took my brain a day or 2 to get used to it. this book does go back and forth to English and French accents, even the harder than usual American accent. so hold on, the story is worth your time and acclimation.

Yet Another Inspiring Story

Jojo Moyes had become one of my very favorite authors because she never fails to write really memorable and varied books unlike any other authors I read. Sophie's story was many faceted and it was fun to see it revealed bit by bit to Olivia and Paul. Loved the ending. Excellent story and performance.

a must read!!!

This novel was so well written, I often thought I was listening to a true story!! JoJo Moyes is by far my favorite author, she never disappoints!

good book

This book is good but the accents the narrator uses makes it difficult to hear.
It is pretty depressing though, every time you feel like it's looking up something terrible happens.
Not my favorite by this author.