Overview

A sweeping Second World War novel about two sisters and the prisoner-of-war whose life will entwine with theirs, inspired by a true story Orkney, 1940. On a remote island, a prisoner-of-war camp is constructed to house five hundred Italian soldiers, where a freezing winter and divided community await them. Orphaned sisters Dorothy and Constance volunteer to nurse the men. Dot is drawn to Cesare, a young man fighting on the wrong side, broken by war and destruction. The soldiers spend their days building a secret barricade between the islands. By night, however, they construct a reminder of their native land - an exquisite chapel. As tensions between the islanders and outsiders grow, the sisters' loyalty is tested. Will Dot choose love, or family?

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9781405944359

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Reviews

A tense, passionate and deeply atmospheric novel about a community in wartime - and two defiant hearts. Orkney was so perfectly realised, too, that I almost felt windblown. I loved it all the more so for having read it during lockdown: Caroline's beautiful transported me entirely to another time and land -- Susan Fletcher A powerful Second World War love story. As tensions grow between the Italian PoWs and the Orkney men, the scene is set for a dramatic reckoning. Lea writes beautifully of island life and love, and the sacrifices that both demand * The Times * Atmospheric, heart-wrenching, evocative - this is a gorgeously written story about the scars we carry with us, and how they can be overcome -- Gytha Lodge Uses the true story of the building of the chapel on Orkney by Italian prisoners during the Second World War to fashion a fast-moving and very touching story of sisterly devotion and passionate love -- Adele Geras Confirms Lea as a highly original and inventive writer * Sunday Times * A story of innocents caught up in the machinery of war. Exquisitely researched, beautifully told, this tiny corner of Scotland came alive -- Mary Beth Keane Myth, legend, fear and superstition all play a part in this intensely atmospheric novel * Choice Magazine * A beautiful, heart-breaking tale of grief, love and the bond between sisters. I read it in a day, desperate to know what would happen -- Louise Hare Lea deftly taps into an age-old theme: suspicion and mistrust of outsiders. Woven throughout The Metal Heart is the potent reminder that there are always innocents caught up in the cruel, unforgiving machinery of war * Herald * A stunning World War Two novel, unlike any other * Sun * The remoteness of the Orkney islands intensifies the hopes and fears of war. The Metal Heart is a story of passion and separation in which the isolation of twin sisters within a tight-knit community threatens tragedy. A deeply atmospheric novel of hope and redemption. -- Isabelle Grey Draws you into a wild landscape through an exquisitely told love story -- Elodie Harper Superbly plotted . . . a story that comes together convincingly, complete with a wonderful double-twist in its final pages * The Orcadian * A mesmerising and atmospheric read * Culturefly * Praise for THE GLASS WOMAN * - * A fantastic, atmospheric debut * The Times * Memorable and compelling. A novel about what haunts us - and what should An enthralling tale -- Stacey Halls, bestselling author of The Familiars Intensely written and atmospheric, with an unusual setting, this is a stark evocation of a community where fear of the outsider is rife and unsettling * Daily Mail * A perfect, gripping winter read. I loved it Utterly unputdownable. Rich in superstition and mystery, it pulled me in. An incredible novel A chilling tale * Good Housekeeping *

A tense, passionate and deeply atmospheric novel about a community in wartime - and two defiant hearts. Orkney was so perfectly realised, too, that I almost felt windblown. I loved it all the more so for having read it during lockdown: Caroline's beautiful transported me entirely to another time and land -- Susan Fletcher A powerful Second World War love story. As tensions grow between the Italian PoWs and the Orkney men, the scene is set for a dramatic reckoning. Lea writes beautifully of island life and love, and the sacrifices that both demand * The Times * Atmospheric, heart-wrenching, evocative - this is a gorgeously written story about the scars we carry with us, and how they can be overcome -- Gytha Lodge Uses the true story of the building of the chapel on Orkney by Italian prisoners during the Second World War to fashion a fast-moving and very touching story of sisterly devotion and passionate love -- Adele Geras Confirms Lea as a highly original and inventive writer * Sunday Times * A story of innocents caught up in the machinery of war. Exquisitely researched, beautifully told, this tiny corner of Scotland came alive -- Mary Beth Keane Myth, legend, fear and superstition all play a part in this intensely atmospheric novel * Choice Magazine * A beautiful, heart-breaking tale of grief, love and the bond between sisters. I read it in a day, desperate to know what would happen -- Louise Hare Lea deftly taps into an age-old theme: suspicion and mistrust of outsiders. Woven throughout The Metal Heart is the potent reminder that there are always innocents caught up in the cruel, unforgiving machinery of war * Herald * The remoteness of the Orkney islands intensifies the hopes and fears of war. The Metal Heart is a story of passion and separation in which the isolation of twin sisters within a tight-knit community threatens tragedy. A deeply atmospheric novel of hope and redemption. -- Isabelle Grey Draws you into a wild landscape through an exquisitely told love story -- Elodie Harper Praise for THE GLASS WOMAN * - * A fantastic, atmospheric debut * The Times * Memorable and compelling. A novel about what haunts us - and what should An enthralling tale -- Stacey Halls, bestselling author of The Familiars Intensely written and atmospheric, with an unusual setting, this is a stark evocation of a community where fear of the outsider is rife and unsettling * Daily Mail * A perfect, gripping winter read. I loved it Utterly unputdownable. Rich in superstition and mystery, it pulled me in. An incredible novel A chilling tale * Good Housekeeping *

Author Information

Caroline Lea grew up on the island of Jersey. The Glass Woman, her debut, is a gothic thriller set during the Icelandic witch trials. The Metal Heart, a Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month, is an epic Second World War love story; Prize Women reveals a feminist scandal at the heart of the roaring 20s. Her latest novel reimagines Mary Shelley and the writing of Frankenstein.

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