Books from my Backlist - Review: The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes

I've had this gem on my Netgalley shelf for two years, shame on me especially because it's a WWII novel, my favorite time period and it's Super.
Well better late than never
Enjoy!

ISBN-13:  978-1787464148
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: 05-26-2020
Length: 398pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Amazon/ B&N/ IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREAD

Overview:

Inspired by the true story of a daring deception that plunges a courageous young woman deep into the horrors of a Nazi POW camp to be with the man she loves.

In the dead of night, a Czech farm girl and a British soldier travel through the countryside. Izabela and prisoner of war Bill have secretly married and are on the run, with Izzy dressed as a man. The young husband and wife evade capture for as long as possible—until they are cornered by Nazi soldiers with tracking dogs.

Izzy's disguise works. The couple are assumed to be escaped British soldiers and transported to a POW camp. However, their ordeal has just begun, as they face appalling living conditions and the constant fear of Izzy's exposure. But in the midst of danger and deprivation comes hope, for the young couple are befriended by a small group of fellow prisoners. These men become their new family, willing to jeopardize their lives to save Izzy from being discovered and shot.

The Prisoner's Wife tells of an incredible risk, and of how our deepest bonds are tested in desperate times. Bill and Izzy's story is one of love and survival against the darkest odds.

My Review:

The Prisoner’s Wife
Maggie Brookes

Based on a true story told to novelist/poet Maggie Brookes in 2007 by a former POW, she first published it in 2009 as a long narrative poem but also knew the story wasn’t done with her so off to Eastern Europe she went to research what Izzy, Bill and the men with them may have experienced. What she ended up with is a poignant, one-of-a-kind WWII war story of travails and triumphs of good and evil and most of all of love. Featuring stars, Bill and Izzy, Bill is the ultimate protector and becomes more so when he and Izzy enter the POW camps but it’s Izzy that takes the trophy for her resilience, her strength her ingenuity and by the end of the novel readers will want to help carry her frail body. But Bill and Izzy aren’t the only stand outs in this show, some of the POWs trusted with Izzy’s secret are equally unforgettable characters. Fans of WWII stories of the novels of Pam Jenoff, Kristina McMorris or Kristin Harmel will not be able to put this book down.

In 1944 on a Czechoslovakian farm Bill a captured British solider part of a POW work detail to help with harvest and Izzy the farmer’s daughter meet and fall in love. They eventually convince the local Priest to marry them in secret and then plan and execute an escape. They decide it’s safer if Izzy travels as man and that decision may have saved their lives when they are caught by the Nazis and put into a POW camp in Lamsdorf Czechoslovakia. They have a dangerous situation in front of them and decide they must tell Izzy’s secret to a select few trustworthy fellow POWs.  But that’s just the beginning of their one-of-a-kind love story and epic journey through multiple war-torn European countries all in the name of love.

About the author:

Do you love stories as much as I do? I try to write the kind of stories I most want to read, about the best and worst of human beings, about the friendship and love which proves stronger than even the most appalling circumstances.

The story behind my new book 'Acts of Love and War' grabbed hold of me so tight that it wouldn't let me go until I had finished writing it. I hope it captures you too.

I have been in love with stories all my life - and once I discovered it was possible to write them as well as read them, I was off, filling notebook after notebook through my childhood and teens.

The power of stories led me to an English degree and then to work as a local paper reporter – and I can promise you, all human life was there! When I moved to the BBC as a TV documentary producer, I discovered the lure of historical stories.

'The Prisoner’s Wife' is based on an extraordinary true story of love and courage, which was told to me in a lift by an ex-WW2 prisoner of war. As he told me the story, I felt my hair stand on end. I visited the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany as part of my research for the book, marvelling at the endurance of people and the potency of love. 'The Prisoner’s Wife' was published around the world in 2020.

'Acts of Love and War' is based on another story which sent shivers up my spine. Author Nickki Marmery calls it, "A love story with a twist; a war story with a difference." I have to admit I knew almost nothing about the Spanish civil war when I began my research, but I realised the story was one I passionately wanted to share with you. I hope you find it as heart-rending and ultimately life-affirming as I did.

Let me know what you think! You can find me on my website: www.maggiebrookes.uk, on Twitter @maggie__brookes, on Instagram @maggie__brookes, on Facebook @maggiebrookesnovelist or even under my poetry alias www.maggiebutt.co.uk