The Girl You Left Behind

The Girl You Left Behind is a moving and thought provoking story that follows two women across time. In 1916 Sophie lives in a French village under German occupation while her husband fights at the front. In 2012 Liv grieves her husband and struggles to rebuild. A portrait of Sophie painted before the war connects their lives and anchors a story about love, survival, and sacrifice. As the truth unfolds, both women face conflict and hard choices. I was most drawn to Sophie's chapters, but Liv's arc brings the novel full circle. The characters are well drawn, the emotions feel honest, and this will spark hours of book club discussion. I loved it.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars and the forthcoming Someone Else's Shoes, a sweeping bestseller of love and loss, deftly weaving two journeys from World War I France to present day London.

Paris, World War I. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe while her adored husband, Edouard, fights at the front. When their town falls to the Germans, Sophie is forced to serve them every evening at her hotel. From the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait, painted by her artist husband, a dangerous obsession is born.

Almost a century later in London, Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before his sudden death. After a chance encounter reveals the portrait's true worth, a battle begins over its troubled history and Liv's world is turned upside all over again.

The novel examines how women are judged for impossible choices, especially in war and in grief. It raises thorny questions about ownership, justice, and the value we attach to art. Strong moral gray areas and high stakes make this a lively pick for discussion.

1. At one point, the Kommandant asks Sophie if they can just "be two people" (p. 72). What did you make of this. Did you ever find yourself sympathizing with the Kommandant or any of the German soldiers. Is there room for sympathy on both sides.

2. Does Edouard's portrait of Sophie capture who she already was or who she had the potential to become.

Before you knew the truth about Liliane Bethune, how did you feel about the treatment she received at the hands of the other villagers.

3. Sophie strikes a deal with the Kommandant in hopes that he will reunite her with Edouard. Would you make a similar trade. Would most men appreciate Sophie's sacrifice.

4. Unlike Helene, Aurelien condemns Sophie's relationship with the Kommandant. Why do you think Aurelien reacts as he does.

5.Have you ever experienced real hunger. If you were a French villager in St. Peronne, how far might you go to feed yourself and your loved ones.

6. How did you think Sophie's story would end. Were you surprised by what Liv uncovered.

7. When Liv takes students to Conaghy Securities many have never considered architecture as art. Why is exposure like this important for young people of all backgrounds.

8. Liv feels she cannot go on without the portrait. Should a material object hold such weight. Have you ever loved a piece of art so much that you could not bear to part with it.

9. Do you think the present day Lefevre family's interest in the financial worth of the painting makes their claim less worthy than a claim rooted in beauty.

10. Why does Liv choose to try to save the painting rather than her home. What would you have done in her place.

11. Is Paul right to fear that Liv would resent him for the loss of the painting.

11. If a stolen artwork is later acquired legally by a new owner, whose claim is more legitimate. Should there be a statute of limitations. What if the current owner is a museum.