Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Blog Tour Review: The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brooks


Title: The Prisoner's Wife
Author: Maggie Brookes
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Historical
Published By: Berkley Books (May 26, 2020)
Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review


Book Description:
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. 





About the Author:



Maggie Brookes is a British ex-journalist and BBC television producer turned poet and novelist.
The Prisoner’s Wife is based on an extraordinary true story of love and courage, told to her by an ex-WW2 prisoner of war. Maggie visited the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany as part of her research for the book, learning largely forgotten aspects of the war.
The Prisoner’s Wife is due to be published by imprints of Penguin Random House in the UK and in the US in May 2020. Publication in other countries, including Holland, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic will follow.
As well as being a writer, Maggie 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. Poetry website: www.maggiebutt.co.uk





Every once in awhile you stumble upon a book that is rich in history, so much so that sometimes, it will take your very breath away. Sometimes it steals that breath because of how beautiful it is and sometimes because of how very sad and horrifying and raw and true it is. In the case of The Prisoner's Wife, it was for all of these reasons. 

This book horrified me. It made me cringe, it made me suffer right along with it's heartbreakingly real characters that were so real and lovable and full of life. It made me rejoice in their simple joys and happiness when they could find it and most of all, it had me rooting for them all along the way hoping like crazy that they would all be rescued, redeemed and all get their happily ever afters. 

I loved this. I hated this. I didn't want it to end.

So beautifully written, so beautifully told and so eye opening about horrors that I already knew existed and happened, but needed reminding of again. A terrible part of our history, of the worlds history, that I hope we never forget and more importantly, never, ever, let happen again. 



25 comments:

  1. Wow! This book sounds like it was an intense emotional experience. Everytime I read a book set in this era I have to take a few days off of reading just to recover, but they are important books that we need to read to remind ourselves of the horrors in our history.

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    1. I couldn't agree more Nick, we definitely need to make sure this time isn't forgotten about or glossed over.

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  2. What a fantastic review Kindlemom and WWII fiction especially those based on facts especially as Nazi prisoners do that for me too. Exceptional review xo

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    1. Thanks so much Debbie and I agree, I love books from this era, they are so hard to read but so powerful too.

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  3. I can totally imagine what you mean by I loved this, I hated this. Those are some of the best reads though!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. They really are. Those always bring out the emotions.

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  4. The third rave review for the day. I will have to add this to my TBR.

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    1. It definitely deserves all the great reviews!

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  5. Wow! Books on this topic and time period are always tough for me to read. I've visited several of the former camps in Poland, so that only adds to the harsh reality for me. This one sounds so haunting and powerful.

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    1. I can only imagine what that would be like. Emotional for sure!!

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  6. This sounds outstanding! I am always fascinated and horrified by what happened during World War II and the Holocaust. I can understand being equally horrified and riveted by this story! Fantastic Review Ali!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. It really was so devastating with all that happened.

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  7. Oh this sounds really good. I like it when a WWII story can really inspire! I do think we need to be reminded of the horrors, as awful as they are, especially since the generations pass and maybe people might forget. Horrifying to read about but so important too...

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  8. Oh it looks well done for this one

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  9. This sounds heartbreaking! It's hard to look back on those times and not cringe with all the horrors these people went through. I still can't believe humans are capable of such horrors, but sadly it still happens today. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one.

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    1. I think that is the saddest part, that things like this are still happening.

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  10. Wow, sounds like this book evoked some huge emotions from you.

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  11. We haven't been reading any of the same books this month! I felt like for a while there, you were reading everything I was, just a week or so ahead of me. :) I'm not sure if this one would be a good fit for me, but I love it when books make me emotional. It means I'm invested in the characters and their story.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. I know it is so weird although to be fair, I might still be. I just haven't been blogging a lot of reviews, just posting a lot of them on Amazon and Goodreads instead. I've gotten lazy.

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