The Prisoner’s Wife

by Maggie Brookes
The Prisoner’s Wife cover
Good Books rating 3.88
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  • ID: 7012
  • Added: 2025-12-08
  • Updated: 2025-12-08
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
thebookishlibra.com · Unknown · 2025-12-16
inspiring 4.50

The Prisoner’s Wife by Maggie Brookes is a gripping and emotional novel that explores the resilience of a woman during World War II. The story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, offering a unique perspective on the war's impact on families.

The Prisoner’s Wife by Maggie Brookes is a powerful and moving novel that delves into the life of a woman whose husband is captured by the Germans during World War II. The narrative is both heartbreaking and inspiring, showcasing the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The author’s vivid descriptions and emotional depth make the story feel incredibly real, drawing readers into the protagonist’s journey. The novel offers a unique perspective on the war, highlighting the personal sacrifices and struggles of those left behind. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, leaving a lasting impression on your heart and mind.

Quick quotes

    The story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, offering a unique perspective on the war's impact on families.

    The author’s vivid descriptions and emotional depth make the story feel incredibly real.

    It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, leaving a lasting impression on your heart and mind.

sincerelystacie.com · Unknown · 2025-12-16
powerful 4.00

The Prisoner’s Wife by Maggie Brookes is a memorable historical fiction novel set during WWII, based on a true story. It follows a young couple, Izzy and Bill, who endure harsh conditions in a POW camp, showcasing their determination and love. The story is heart-wrenching and powerful, though the ending feels abrupt.

Maggie Brookes' The Prisoner’s Wife is a compelling historical fiction novel that draws from a true story. Set during WWII, it begins on a Czech farm and follows Izzy and Bill, a young couple who marry and escape to a POW camp in Germany. The novel highlights their resilience and the sacrifices they make to stay together amidst the brutal conditions of the war. The relationships and characterizations of the men in the camp are particularly well-done, adding depth to the story. The book is a page-turner, though it is a bit long on details and the ending feels abrupt, leaving many questions unanswered. Despite this, it is a powerful and moving tale that will stay with readers long after they finish it. The perseverance of the characters in the harshest of elements is both amazing and heart-breaking, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Quick quotes

    This story of a young couple who were determined to stay together and sacrifice anything to not be separated during some of the harshest conditions of the war will stay with you long after you read it.

    The amount of grit, instinct, and pure desire to survive amazed me.

    The ending felt a bit abrupt. With so many details given throughout the story and then leaving the ending with so many unknowns, it was a bit frustrating, and the only reason why I didn’t give it a full five stars.

allaboutromance.com · Unknown · 2020-06-13
good 2.50

The Prisoner’s Wife is a well-executed historical novel focusing on the wife of an Everyman during WWII. The writing is smooth and accessible, alternating between Izzy's first-person and Bill's third-person perspectives, creating a sense of urgency. However, the book lacks a strong romantic connection between the protagonists, and the supporting soldiers' motivations are unclear.

The Prisoner’s Wife by Maggie Brookes is a compelling entry in the 'Wife Genre', focusing on the story of Izzy, the wife of a British prisoner of war during WWII. The novel alternates between Izzy's first-person perspective and Bill's third-person perspective, both in the present tense, which adds to the tension and urgency of the narrative. The writing is smooth and accessible, and Brookes does a good job of incorporating her research naturally through Izzy's observations and experiences. The book is not particularly focused on romance, and the connection between Izzy and Bill is more about circumstances than deep emotional bonds. The supporting trio of soldiers adds depth to the story, but their motivations for risking their lives for Izzy are unclear. The novel avoids common pitfalls and is easy to read, but it doesn't stand out enough to warrant a higher grade. It does, however, shed light on lesser-known aspects of WWII, making it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

    Brookes includes a note about the story and her research (it’s based on a true story, but is more fictional than historical) and she does a good job of presenting her research naturally through Izzy’s observations and experiences.

    Izzy and Bill don’t seem to take much solace in the mere existence of each other.

    The reason for my borderline recommendation comes down to this: what I thought Brookes did well was avoid making huge mistakes.

girl-who-reads.com · Unknown · 2020-05-17
compelling 4.50

The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes is a compelling historical fiction novel set during WWII, focusing on the story of a British POW and a Czech farm girl. The novel diverges from typical romance tropes to explore themes of courage, loyalty, and the human spirit, with rich details of prisoner life and well-developed secondary characters.

The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes is a standout historical fiction novel that captivates readers with its rich details and compelling narrative. Set during WWII, the story revolves around a British POW and a Czech farm girl, Izabela, who falls in love with him. While initially concerned that the novel might fall into the typical romance trope, the reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity of the characters and the exploration of themes such as courage, loyalty, and the unbreakable human spirit. The secondary characters, particularly Max and Ralph, add layers to the story, making it even more engaging. The reviewer appreciated the author's background as a documentary producer and journalist, which shines through in the detailed and authentic portrayal of prisoner life. The tension builds as the danger of discovery grows, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. However, the reviewer was disappointed that the story ended with the liberation of the camp without an epilogue to update readers on the characters' lives post-war. Overall, the novel held the reviewer's attention and evoked strong emotions, making it a must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on WWII.

Quick quotes

    The small details of prisoner life that she includes adds a richness to the story.

    Before you discount this as just another POW/local girl romance novel, let me tell you it is not your typical WWII love story.

    I was really drawn into the story as Brookes builds the tension.

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