The Prisoner's Wife
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  • Published: 16 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781473572553
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416

The Prisoner's Wife

based on an inspiring true story

Formats & editions
EBook
16 Apr 2020
Audiobook
16 Apr 2020
Paperback
20 Oct 2020
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A debut novel set in 1944 war-torn Czechoslovakia amid the extreme privations of a prisoner of war camp. Based on a true story, passion, heroism and a love that transcends overwhelming odds.

'An absorbing and engaging tale of wartime bravery and endurance. Bill and Izabela are such tenderly drawn characters ... I loved it!' RACHEL HORE, author of Last Letter Home and The Memory Garden
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Their love is a death sentence. But can it keep them alive?

Czechoslovakia, 1944. In the dead of night, a farm girl and a British soldier creep through abandoned villages. Secretly married and on the run, Bill and Izabela are searching for Izabela's brother and father, who are fighting for the Czech resistance. They know their luck will not last.

Captured by the German army, it seems they must be separated - but they have prepared for this moment. By cutting her hair and pretending to be mute, Izabela successfully disguises herself as a British soldier. Together, they face the terrible conditions of a POW camp, reliant on the help of their fellow POWs to maintain their fragile deception.

Their situation is beyond dangerous. If Izabela is discovered, she and Bill - and all the men who helped them - will face lethal consequences.
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A novel set in war-torn Czechoslovakia amid the extreme privations of a prisoner of war camp, based on a true story of passion, heroism and a love that transcends overwhelming odds.
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'Deeply moving and compelling ... an epic journey not only across war-torn countries but deep into the heart of what it is to be human. A heart-rending story beautifully told.' JUDITH ALLNAT, author of The Poet's Wife and The Silk Factory

'Heart-wrenching and heart-warming in equal measure, The Prisoner's Wife is an unputdownable novel ... finely crafted, atmospheric, often nail-biting.' BEN KANE, author of The Eagles of Rome series

'A story of danger, fear, determination and the redemptive power of love in war-torn Europe. It is a story that Hemingway might have envied.' JULIET GARDINER, author of Wartime: Britain 1939 to 1945 and The Blitz: The British Under Attack.

'A gripping novel that explores the question of how much the human body, and the human spirit, can endure for the sake of love. The wealth of authentic detail makes it feel like a memoir ... I feel enriched to have read it.' GILL PAUL, author of The Lost Daughter and The Secret Wife

'The Prisoner's Wife seamlessly and skilfully breathes intense, fully realised life into the stark scenes it describes. I was by turns moved, outraged and humbled' DEBORAH KAY DAVIES, author of True Things About Me

'A powerful page-turner' MARIE BENEDICT, New York Times bestselling author of Lady Clementine

'You will be spellbound by this stellar novel. So richly imbued with sensory details you'll be feeling every anguished moment and every golden ray of hope.' SUSAN MEISSNER, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

'The most unique World War II story I've ever read... 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
'Tremendous ... this is much more than a love story' GEORGINA CLARKE, author of Death and the Harlot
'Engrossing, harrowing and heart-warming' ANN MORGAN, author of Reading The World

'This is a beautiful book that will give any reader in dark times a reason to believe in the continuing goodness of people' NICOLA GRIFFITH, author of Hild
  • Published: 16 April 2020
  • ISBN: 9781473572553
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416
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About the author

Maggie Brookes

Maggie Brookes is an ex-journalist and BBC TV documentary producer, turned poet and novelist. She’s also an associate professor at Middlesex University, and an advisory fellow of the Royal Literary Fund.

The Prisoner’s Wife is based on a true story told to her in a lift, by a World War II prisoner of war. Maggie visited Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany as part of her research for the book, uncovering largely forgotten aspects of the war. Although the story can be harrowing at times, it’s also about the power of friendship and of love.

portrait photo of Maggie Brookes

Also by Maggie Brookes

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Praise for The Prisoner's Wife

A deeply moving and compelling read… A heart-rending story beautifully told.

Judith Allnat, author of The Poet’s Wife and The Silk Factory

Based on the experiences of real people and real events, The Prisoner’s Wife seamlessly and skilfully breathes intense, fully realised life into the stark scenes it describes. The author shows us love's ability to inspire the deepest devotion as well as acts of unimaginable sacrifice and bravery. I was by turns moved, outraged and humbled.

Deborah Kay Davies, author of True Things About Me

…A powerful love story that exquisitely depicts the courage and strength of the human spirit in the face of the tremendous cost of war.

Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author The Last Train to Key West

A powerful page-turner.

Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of Lady Clementine

You will be spellbound by this stellar debut.

Susan Meissner, Bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

Perhaps the most unique World War II story I’ve ever read.. A complete winner.

Sarah-Jane Stratford, Author of Red Letter Days

An engrossing, harrowing and heart-warming novel that reveals humanity at its best and worst.

Ann Morgan, author of Reading The World

It is a story that Hemingway might have envied.

Juliet Gardiner, author of Wartime; Britain 1939 to 1945 and The Blitz; The British Under Attack.

Heart wrenching and heart-warming in equal measure…an unputdownable novel.

Ben Kane, author of The Eagles of Rome series

A gripping debut novel that explores the question of how much the human body, and the human spirit, can endure for the sake of love. The wealth of authentic detail makes it feel like the memoir of an exceptional young woman. I feel enriched to have read it.

Gill Paul, author of The Lost Daughter and The Secret Wife

An absorbing and engaging tale of wartime bravery and endurance. Bill and Izabela are such tenderly drawn characters…I loved it!

Rachel Hore, author of Last Letter Home and The Memory Garden

An absorbing and engaging tale of wartime bravery and endurance. Bill and Izabela are such tenderly drawn characters and the unusual circumstances under which which they survive the bitterness of war are convincingly portrayed. I loved it!’

Rachel Hore, author of Last Letter Home and The Memory Garden

A story of hope and courage against all odds

Woman’s Weekly

This is a beautiful book that will give any reader in dark times a reason to believe in the continuing goodness of people

Nicola Griffith, author of Hild

Heart-wrenching’

Woman & Home

'An inspiring true story of love against the odds...gripping'

Eastern Daily Press
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