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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Twin sisters Dorothy and Constance live on a small island off the Scottish coast. In the midst of the war, five hundred Italian soldiers are sent to the island to work in the prison camp. Told in multiple viewpoints, The Metal Heart follows both sisters and one of the prisoners.
I highly recommend the audiobook of The Metal Heart. The narrators do a phenomenal job! The ending is absolutely heartbreaking and there is a twist I didn't see coming!
sad
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the popularity of Caroline Lea’s previous novel ‘The Glass Woman,’ I jumped at the opportunity to read and review The Metal Heart. The general premise is that hundreds of Italian prisoners of war arrive in Orkney in 1940 to begin the construction of enemy fortifications around the islands. Twin sisters Dot and Con are thrust into the middle of it all when the prisoners arrive on their island and a camp is erected near their house.
I expected this to primarily be a love story but instead, it explored the concepts of sisterhood, trauma, grief, and war. Whilst there definitely was a romance element, it wasn’t overly detailed and by no means would I consider it to be the main plot point. The bond between the sisters was strained by grief but their desperation to maintain their relationship was palpable.
At first I was slightly confused by the dates at the beginning of the chapters but I soon realised they were not too important as the events unfold primarily in chronological order.
The last 20% of the book is really what turned this from a good book to a great book in my opinion. I physically couldn’t read it fast enough. I would never have predicted the ending and I audibly gasped a number of times.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel and I’m sure I’ll be keeping an eye out for Caroline Lea’s future releases. I think this is a perfect read for anyone who has previously enjoyed ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ or ‘The Lost Lights of St Kilda.’
A huge thank you to Michael Joseph for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Orkney islands are at northern point of Scotland, home to very few families, including orphaned sisters Dorothy and Constance. The twins have left the main island of Kirkwall after their parents deaths and chose to live in a broken down home on Selkie Island, an allegedly haunted area that causes fear amongst the people. When a German U-boat manages to bomb one of the largest vessels in the British Navy, it’s decided that 1,000 Italian P.O.W’s will be housed on Selkie Island and made to build fortifications for the islands. From the very beginning, Dorothy feels a connection with one of the men, Cesare, which threatens Dorothy and Constance’s very bond as sisters. This book takes on some unique issues that I normally don’t see in World War II novels: the treatment of prisoners of war, specifically by the Allied forces. The history books in my American classroom taught me that we were the “good guys,” because we didn’t torture, starve, beat or medically torture prisoners of war. But that’s not true, is it? Because America didn’t have POW’s. Instead, we locked up those with innocent Japanese ancestry who were also American citizens and in this novel, the British treat these Italian war prisoners brutally. This book also accurately details(at least, in my experience) the post-traumatic feelings and experiences that come with being raped. It was almost eerie in a way, because I could see myself so easily in this characters place. I also really enjoyed reading about this relationship between the sisters and the burgeoning relationship between Dot and Cesare. All in all, I have to say that this was an intriguing novel and one that I had a lot of fun reading.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Second World War, 1940 sees 500 Italian prisoners-of-war shipped to the Orkney Islands to build sea fortifications to protect the islands from German U-boats. Twins Dorothy and Constance have already lost their parents and Constance suffered a traumatising experience which left her fearful of men so they are living on one of the deserted islands, but this is the one where the POWs will be housed. At first they try to keep to themselves, but their bothy (shelter) needs major repairs and so the sisters volunteer to work in the camp infirmary. Dorothy falls in love with Cesare, one of the POWs, whilst Constance is terrified to see that her attacker is working as a guard at the camp.
The book is a mixture of historical fiction based upon true facts (the small chapel still exists). I really felt for Constance, her experience basically left her traumatised and even her own sister became impatient with her at times. It was well-written but there was something missing for me. I don't like to compare books but not that long ago, I read another book set in the same time period and it absolutely shredded my emotions. I didn't feel that with this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Penguin Michael Joseph UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
The book is a mixture of historical fiction based upon true facts (the small chapel still exists). I really felt for Constance, her experience basically left her traumatised and even her own sister became impatient with her at times. It was well-written but there was something missing for me. I don't like to compare books but not that long ago, I read another book set in the same time period and it absolutely shredded my emotions. I didn't feel that with this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Penguin Michael Joseph UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An atmospheric tale of twin sisters scratching a life on an isolated island in the Orkneys in the middle of WW2. Life changes when plans are made to house 1000 Italian pow's and the island is no longer deserted. Many complex themes, creating beauty in middle of war, a love story, grief, dealing with traumatic events and having a healthy fear for the ocean. Lots of twists and turns lead to a satisfying but bittersweet ending.