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A review by per_fictionist
The Metal Heart by Caroline Lea
4.0
Before I begin with my review, I would like to put out that, historical fiction as a genre is really special to me. I am really picky with what I eventually pick up as I don't want one mediocre book to ruin the experience of the genre for me. For me, getting lost in the realities mixed with fictionalized stories of the past is an unparalleled experience and no other genre gives me the same amount of serotonin. And with, Metal Heart, I could feel the contentment of reading a story that brings grief and little moments of unbounded joy at equal measure.
The Metal Heart by Caroline Lea, is a poignant tale of two identical sisters set in an isolated island of Orkneys at the backdrop of World War II.
Dorothy and Constance, twins who have never known separation from each other since birth has to face the fate-altering choice between holding on or letting go of the ones they hold dear. The lyricism of Lea's prose keeps you on your feet as you immerse yourself in the mundane affairs of life at Selkie Holm where on one side Italian prisoners-of-war are at work building a barricade between the islands and on the other siblings Dot and Con live in harmony with nature away from the community at Kirkwall, after an incident that initiates them to separate from the mainland. With the arrival of the Italian war captives, changes slowly begin to transpire and what the readers experience is an unravelling of a story imbued with the strength of love, the fragility of a human life and a tale of colossal heartbreak.
Historical fictions usually tread with soft edges that burrows into your soul but with Metal Heart the twists I admit are rather unpredictable till the very end, it enthralls you like the last sip of caffeine. I was honestly not expecting to be so deeply engaged by a love story but I couldn't stop praying for Dot, Con and Cesare and their well-being!
What a wonderful and mesmerizing book! It perfectly justifies that stunning cover!
The Metal Heart by Caroline Lea, is a poignant tale of two identical sisters set in an isolated island of Orkneys at the backdrop of World War II.
Dorothy and Constance, twins who have never known separation from each other since birth has to face the fate-altering choice between holding on or letting go of the ones they hold dear. The lyricism of Lea's prose keeps you on your feet as you immerse yourself in the mundane affairs of life at Selkie Holm where on one side Italian prisoners-of-war are at work building a barricade between the islands and on the other siblings Dot and Con live in harmony with nature away from the community at Kirkwall, after an incident that initiates them to separate from the mainland. With the arrival of the Italian war captives, changes slowly begin to transpire and what the readers experience is an unravelling of a story imbued with the strength of love, the fragility of a human life and a tale of colossal heartbreak.
Historical fictions usually tread with soft edges that burrows into your soul but with Metal Heart the twists I admit are rather unpredictable till the very end, it enthralls you like the last sip of caffeine. I was honestly not expecting to be so deeply engaged by a love story but I couldn't stop praying for Dot, Con and Cesare and their well-being!
What a wonderful and mesmerizing book! It perfectly justifies that stunning cover!