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Book Summary and Reviews of The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes

The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes

The Prisoner's Wife

by Maggie Brookes

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  • May 2020, 400 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

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.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Brookes demonstrates a fine command of historical circumstances and events but skimps on character development amid the nonstop action. In a crowded field of WWII fiction, this one doesn't stick out." - Publishers Weekly

"In her debut novel, former BBC British journalist Brookes weaves meticulous historical research seamlessly into the plot, transporting readers into war-torn Europe. The story offers an untold viewpoint, the pain, horror, and fortitude of an idealistic young woman in impossible circumstances. It proves that there is no environment too harsh to prevent love from blossoming. Recommended for readers of romance and historical fiction." - Library Journal

"The Prisoner's Wife is a powerful love story that exquisitely depicts the courage and strength of the human spirit in the face of the tremendous cost of war. Historical fiction lovers will be immersed in the rich detail and impeccably researched setting. A wonderful book!" - Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author The Last Train to Key West

"A powerful page-turner, The Prisoner's Wife shares the inspiring tale of a courageous historical woman as she risks her life through a countryside ravaged by World War II and suffers through the dangers of living as a man in a POW camp to stay with her beloved husband. Based a breathtaking true story, the novel explores the indomitability of one woman's spirit, and offers a unique perspective on a lesser-seen side of war." - Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of Lady Clementine

"You will be spellbound by this stellar debut. So richly imbued with sensory details you'll be feeling every anguished moment and every golden ray of hope. What a beautifully wrought tribute to the real prisoner's wife, wherever she may be." - Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

"The phenomenal story of an incomparably brave and formidable woman, this is perhaps the most unique World War II story I've ever read. If it's wrong to say a story about prisoners of war is gloriously captivating, I don't want to be right. Romantic, perfectly observed, inspiring, and thrilling – The Prisoner's Wife is impossible to put down – and when I did, I was teary-eyed. A complete winner." - Sarah-Jane Stratford, Author of Red Letter Days

This information about The Prisoner's Wife was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

Excellent - Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews
Izabela and Bill were destined to meet, but did Izabela realize what she was getting herself and Bill into when she rushed the marriage and escaped the farm she had known for her entire life?

Izabela immediately fell in love with Bill when she saw him in a group of British prisoners who came to help on the farm during WWII. Her plans were to marry Bill, find her father and brother, and join the resistance, but the Germans had other plans for them.

We follow Izzy and Bill as they escape the farm, travel in the night, sleep in the day, become captured, and endure the prison camp.

They were sent to Lamsdorf Prison where Izzy had to hide that she was a woman. Surprisingly the men in their hut actually helped to hide her.

THE PRISONER'S WIFE which is based on true events was very tense, very well written, and very well researched.

You will feel the terror and pain the prisoners endured in the camps and on the historical Long Walk from Poland to Germany. The characters were resilient, loyal, unbelievably strong, and easy to like.

Historical fiction fans will be completely absorbed in this book that gives yet another look at what suffering went on during WWII.

THE PRISONER'S WIFE is a beautiful but heartbreaking book.

A MUST READ!! 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Annette S. (Duluth, GA)

The Prisoner's Wife
I selected to review this book because it takes place in World War II and the location is where my grandparents emigrated from. I was not disappointed.
It is a page-turning story of love and survival that takes place in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. The main characters escape capture while searching for Izzy's father and brother in order to join them in the resistance fighters. But when their luck runs out, they are delivered into the hands of the occupying enemy, the German army. Izzy is disguised as young man and pretends to be unable to speak. They are transported to a POW camp and Izzy is assumed to be a mute young British soldier. The book is based on a true story and takes the reader deep into a rarely seen side of World War II.

Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)

The Prisoner's Wife Captured Me
This book tossed me into Izabel's life with all its risks and stress and held me captive. It was an amazing tale made even more so by the fact that it was based on a true story. The characters had such courage and determination. It is a story that reveals both the horrors man is capable of and the perseverance, faith and love. The Prisoner's Wife is a must read for anyone interested in historic novels or World War II, but also for anyone who wants to read about a strong woman who would face horrors to be with the one she loves.

Linda Z. (Melville, NY)

Desperate Measures
Maggie Brookes, author of "The Prisoner's Wife" has written a unique, memorable, poignant, intense, captivating, and riveting novel. The Genres for this Novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. The author is basing this novel on a true story, and using poetic license, filling in certain fictional details. The timeline for this story is during World War Two. The story begins in Czechoslovakia and goes to surrounding areas. The author describes her characters as complex, and complicated. Some are courageous, moral and brave. Others are mean spirited and evil. There is loyalty and betrayal.

Bill is an English soldier, that has been captured and is a Prisoner of War and being used with the other men on farms in Czechoslovakia to do the heavy work. Izzy is a young woman helping her mother run the farm and falls in love with Bill. Izzy's mother is concerned about the War and has mentioned to Izzy, that it would be a good idea for Izzy to cut her hair and dress like a boy, so hopefully, any soldiers would leave her alone.

Izzy and Bill marry and are planning to run away together. They are both captured by the Germans. Izzy decides to pass herself off as a young man. Bill realizes that he is going to have to trust some of the other male prisoners to protect her. Some of these prisoners are risking their own lives to protect Izzy's identity. If Izzy is found, she will be shot. Not everyone can be trusted. These are German soldiers, and this is set during World War Two.

The author vividly describes the events and the characters. This is a very edgy and tense read. I would highly recommend this book for readers who like World War Two Historical Fiction.

Martha S. (Mentor, OH)

The Prisoner's Wife
What a good book this is! The book is based on a story a WWII prisoner told to the author and fleshed out with much research. The story features a farm girl and the prisoner who was sent to her family farm by the Nazis to help with the farm. I have read quite a few WWII books in the past year and this one not only was so interesting, it also stole my heart. The pace of the story keeps you reading and the character development is wonderful. I loved how the author developed her characters and what characters they were. The surprise is how these characters supported the woman, her privacy and marriage. As the story develops, Izzy matures and becomes more resilient to the harshness of her captivity, and of her reaction to her dreams of her life; past, present and future. I highly recommend this book, not only to WWII readers but to all readers who love a good story.

Arlene I. (Johnston, RI)

WOW!
The prisoner's wife is a riveting and page turning story about two young lovers starting their life together in a most extraordinary way, a POW camp. The author's research is very apparent throughout the book. As a result, the visual description and imagery are key to the story. The long march through the ice and snow, the camp conditions, the guards ruthlessness, the group of protective prisoners, will have the readers feeling they are part of this unbelievable tale. A good book makes the reader a watcher of the story being told; and excellent book has the reader experiencing the book with the characters. The writer has you feeling the despair of almost giving up, the one square of chocolate melting in your mouth, the thirst and hunger of each prisoner, The Prisoner's Wife is that excellent book!

Maggie's Brooke's set up her chapters in alternating voices which actually makes a smoother reading of the story. This true tale is an historian's delight. Whether you read this book for for the historical value or for the love story, you will find yourself immersed in the many unfolding characters. Kudos to Ms. Brooke for letting the reader experience both the sadness and joy of these special characters. Definitely a best seller!!

...30 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Maggie Brookes

Maggie Brookes is a British ex-journalist and BBC television producer turned poet and novelist. She is an advisory fellow for the Royal Literary Fund and also an Associate Professor at Middlesex University, London, England, where she has taught creative writing since 1990. She lives in London and Whitstable, Kent and is married, with two grown-up daughters. She has published five poetry collections in the UK under her married name of Maggie Butt.

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