Reviewed by Lianne on
I initially found Liv’s story in our present-day interesting. I felt sympathy for her as she is still grieving for the loss of her husband and how her life was slowly falling apart with the issue of the mortgage and struggling to live from day to day. But as Liv’s story and the issue about the painting becomes clearer and more involved in the overall story, intersecting with everyone’s lives, Liv became rather irritating to me with some of the decisions she makes along the way. (Putting the following behind a spoiler cut just in case) I understand the sentimental value behind the painting, the importance of keeping to Sophie’s memory and Liv’s indignation that Sophie’s relations are only after the money but Liv is too blinded by her attachment and by her perspective (understandable that she thought that Paul might’ve engineered the whole thing–them meeting, going on dates, etc. just to get closer to her painting; the coincidence is baffling) that she pretty much shuts down every option available to her. Additionally, considering her current situation–the mortgage regarding the house and the bills stacking up–I couldn’t help but think why she would opt to go through all that grief and trouble when she’s already in so much trouble. Luckily things worked out in Liv’s favour but I didn’t feel too relieved; it could’ve easily ended very badly for her.
Overall, I enjoyed The Girl You Left Behind enough. I especially liked Sophie’s story and her struggle to find her husband and reunite with him no matter the cost. But Liv’s stubbornness and lack of rational decision-making left me rather irritated for a good chunk of the novel, hence why I’m rating this novel a 3 instead of a 4.
My complete review of the title was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/08/09/review-the-girl-you-left-behind/
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 2 August, 2013: Finished reading
- 2 August, 2013: Reviewed