The Girl You Left Behind

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel is built on a dual-timeline structure, alternating between Sophie’s story in World War I and Liv’s in 2006. Which narrative did you find more compelling, and why do you think that was? How did the connection between the two storylines affect your overall experience with the book?

2. Jojo Moyes is known for writing emotionally resonant stories like Me Before You. How did your emotional reaction to The Girl You Left Behind compare to other books you’ve read by her or within the historical fiction genre? Did the blend of historical tragedy, romance, and legal drama work for you?

3. Let’s talk about the final reveal of Sophie’s fate. Were you surprised to learn that Kommandant Hencken had arranged for her and Édouard’s freedom? Did you find this resolution satisfying and believable within the world of the story?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. For both Sophie and Liv, the portrait is a powerful symbol of identity and a connection to a loved one. Think about an object in your own life that holds significant personal meaning or memories. What makes certain possessions feel like they’re a part of our story?

2. Sophie is publicly condemned by her town, and even her brother, based on rumors and misinterpretations. Have you ever been in a situation where a community or group was quick to judge someone based on incomplete information? What does the novel suggest about the pressures that can lead good people to turn on one another?

3. Liv’s world is defined by the Glass House, a physical space that represents her husband’s legacy but also her own isolation and grief. How can our environments shape our emotional state or our ability to move forward after a loss?

4. The friendship between Liv and the cynical but loyal Mo provides crucial support and a dose of reality. Consider a time when someone has offered you advice and support. What was so important for you about it?

5. What do you make of Édith’s childhood decision to lie to the Kommandant about Sophie’s death? Think of an example when you or another person told a lie to hurt someone. Can you reframe their decision to do this through empathy for their own perspective?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The modern storyline is a fictionalized account of art restitution cases, similar in genre to the real-life story behind the film Woman in Gold. What are your thoughts on the ethics of returning art that was looted or sold under duress during wartime, even after it has been in a family for generations? Where do you think the line falls between legal ownership and moral justice?

2. Sophie’s story offers a window into the daily life of civilians, particularly women, living under military occupation. How does her experience challenge or expand your understanding of wartime narratives, which often focus on soldiers and battles? 

3. Liv becomes the target of a vicious media campaign, portraying her as a greedy socialite clinging to looted art. In what ways does this plotline reflect the power of public opinion and media narratives in our own time?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Moyes chose to alternate between the past and present rather than telling the story chronologically. What effect did this narrative structure have on building suspense and revealing information about the painting’s history? How did the parallels between Sophie’s and Liv’s experiences of public judgment enrich the novel’s central themes?

2. Kommandant Hencken is presented not as a simple villain but as a complex man who appreciates art while enforcing a brutal regime. What does his character suggest about the nature of morality and humanity during wartime? Was his final act of mercy a redemption, or does it complicate his character even further?

3. How does the recurring motif of food and hunger in Sophie’s storyline function as more than just a depiction of wartime hardship? In what ways does it expose power dynamics, test moral boundaries, and symbolize both resistance and community?

4. The portrait of The Girl You Left Behind is central to the novel. How does its meaning shift for the different characters who possess or view it, from Édouard and Sophie to the Kommandant and finally to Liv?

5. Consider the two primary settings: Le Coq Rouge and the Glass House. What do these places symbolize about the emotional states of Sophie and Liv?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are a curator tasked with creating a museum exhibit for the painting The Girl You Left Behind. Besides the portrait itself, what other items or documents mentioned in the book would you include to tell the complete story of Sophie, Édouard, and Liv? What would the main theme of your exhibit be?

2. If you could add a chapter to the novel from the perspective of a minor character, whose viewpoint would you choose? Write this chapter, considering what they know at this point, and what language they might use.

3. The novel ends with Liv and Paul deciding to search for Édouard’s other lost works. What kind of adventure or mystery do you imagine they will encounter in their next search for a missing painting? What new stories might they uncover?