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)

Beautifully written and wonderfully performed!

Beautifully written! Jojo Moyes is so adept at forming her characters and making them real. I loved how the story went back and forth between the past and present drawing the two stories together. I could never work out how she was going to end it, but she did it beautifully! The performers were amazing with their French, English and American accents. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them as they brought the the characters to life with such passion that I would think about them long after I had turned the story off. This is by far one of my favorites both for the story and the performances!

Outstanding

Excellent narration. Great story. Captivating and real. I would read this book again and share it with others.

The Girl You Will Never Forget

I had no idea what to expect from this novel, as I had not read anything prior to listening to it, but chose it because I enjoyed the author. This book drew me in quickly, with all its history, the perils of war, and the search for love, beauty, art and truth. It was beautifully told, and a haunting tale I will not forget. The author shifts from one time period and heroine to the next with ease, and paints a picture of who we all are as we grieve our past, struggle with the present realities, and hold on to hope for a better future. Read it and remember the strength and courage of Sophie.

I loved this book in so MANY ways!

This book is everything I love, a little history, a love story, jumps time periods, mystery, deep rich characters that i was torn between loving and despising. Soooo good.

Narrator

I specifically chose this book because I love the narrator so much. She gave a Grade A performance. Fabulous story and wonderful delivery

Great story!

I wasn't entirely sure that the book I started ready was the one I ordered. After a few chapters, I was hooked! Great characters, wonderful narration & fabulous plot. Highly recommend!

One of the best books I've read in years

I loved this book. I have always appreciated lengthy tomes and this did not disappoint. the only thing that prevented me from giving it 5 stars is the profanity laced throughout the second half. I was so disappointed by the vulgarity. it was not necessary and would have been an excellent book without the use of profane and unintelligent words.

Another Awesome Story

I loved the book. All the books I have read/listened to by this author have been good. The narration was also well done by both ladies. I liked the French /British accents. The story went back and forth from the present day to life during World War l. I laughed and cried at different times....the ending was not what I was expecting. Would definitely recommend.

Loved the two main characters, Sophie and Liv

Would you consider the audio edition of The Girl You Left Behind to be better than the print version?

Yes, the French/British accents make following along much easier, especially when the chapters go from 1930's to present day.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophie as she seemed so real and a woman ahead of her time.

Have you listened to any of Clare Corbett and Penny Rawlins ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't heard Clare or Penny before.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Portrait Poaching

Any additional comments?

It was nice to be able to kind of "like" the Germans, showing more than just their soldier lifestyles.

Quite an entertaining Read

I found this book to be one of interest throughout the whole story. I liked the way the author kept all the characters alive during the entire booki.