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girlglitch's review
4.0
The Metal Heart is a beautifully written historical novel, a romance with hidden depths.
While the history must be taken with a pinch of salt, the story itself is heartfelt. Lea explores the trauma and tragedy of war - but also captures the resilience of the human spirit, of hope and love. The remote landscape of Orkney is deliciously Brontësque, rich with atmosphere and singed with magic. The characters feel real, their emotions palpable. While some parts are slightly overwritten (perhaps channeling a bit too much of the Brontë melodrama) there is some intricate plotting at play and the finale had me hooked.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
While the history must be taken with a pinch of salt, the story itself is heartfelt. Lea explores the trauma and tragedy of war - but also captures the resilience of the human spirit, of hope and love. The remote landscape of Orkney is deliciously Brontësque, rich with atmosphere and singed with magic. The characters feel real, their emotions palpable. While some parts are slightly overwritten (perhaps channeling a bit too much of the Brontë melodrama) there is some intricate plotting at play and the finale had me hooked.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
krobart's review against another edition
2.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/07/25/review-1897-the-metal-heart/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/07/25/review-1897-the-metal-heart/
aliciagriggs's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent book. However, for those who are triggered by sexual violence, be warned that there is 3 episodes/attempts of this in the book. For me, this spoilt the book a bit, and I had to skip them (so I can't say for sure what it included but I think they were attempts rather than successes...I could be wrong). Just a warning if people like me would rather know before reading.
Aside from that though, this is an excellent book that makes you explore the range of human emotions.
Aside from that though, this is an excellent book that makes you explore the range of human emotions.
jacki_f's review
3.0
The Metal Heart is set in the Orkney Islands during WW2. After a German submarine torpedoed a ship moored there in 1941, a group of Italian prisoners were sent to build barricades which would close off the straits and prevent enemy submarines being able to enter again. While the soldiers were in Orkney, they also constructed a tiny Catholic chapel which stands to this day (google Orkney's Italian Chapel to see photos).
Caroline Lea's novel takes places against these events. She focuses on twin sisters Dorothy (Dot) and Constance (Con) who have cut themselves off from the local community after something happened to Con. They volunteer to help nurse the POWs and this is how Dot will come to know and fall in love with Cesare although it's hard to imagine how there can possibly be a happy ending for them.
I liked learning about a piece of history that I didn't know and this is a very atmospheric read.
Caroline Lea's novel takes places against these events. She focuses on twin sisters Dorothy (Dot) and Constance (Con) who have cut themselves off from the local community after something happened to Con. They volunteer to help nurse the POWs and this is how Dot will come to know and fall in love with Cesare although it's hard to imagine how there can possibly be a happy ending for them.
I liked learning about a piece of history that I didn't know and this is a very atmospheric read.
per_fictionist's review
5.0
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. 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.
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 that 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!
Thank you @michaeljbooks for the copy!
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 that 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!
Thank you @michaeljbooks for the copy!
per_fictionist's review against another edition
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!
windy_witch's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw the initial reviews of this book, it was likened to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. This statement had me interested as this is story I really love. I can confirm The Metal Heart is written in similarity to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
Set in World War II on the Scottish island of Orkney, five hundred Italian prisoners of war are sent to work and help fortify the island from attack. What follows is a story of love and courage amongst the viciousness of the situation.
The is such a thing as the metal heart and around it a story of love. The author has beautifully captured this in her own novel. Having read and enjoyed The Glass Woman previously, I enjoyed this novel also.
kenautica's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
I had forgotten that I'd requested a copy of this, and when I saw the cover (the one with the woman looking out to sea) I honestly thought there had been a mistake. It looked like a generic romance, which is really not my thing. But reading the blurb refreshed my memory - this book is set in Orkney, and I'm a sucker for books set in my own country. I am glad the book now seems to have a new cover (the one with the lighthouse), I think that will have wider appeal.
This is the story of twins Dorothy and Constance, who have left Orkney for a bothy on an isolated island across the water after losing their parents. Constance has suffered a further trauma, one which we don't fully understand at first, but which has left her feeling like an outcast and unable to trust anyone but her sister. But their solitude is disturbed by the encroaching war, and the arrival of hundreds of Italian prisoners of war who are to be incarcerated on their island. With the camp comes the arrival of someone that Constance really doesn't want to have near her, and the outrage of the Orkney population at having their limited resources spread even further to support the prisoners as they construct sea barriers to prevent enemy ships accessing the water. When Dorothy volunteers to work in the camp infirmary, and feelings develop between her and a prisoner - Cesare, who builds and decorates a chapel for the prisoners - tensions build, with a devastating result.
I was really surprised with this book, from my initial low expectations. Yes, this involves a romance, but it is much more than that. This book looks at the treatment of prisoners, the danger of giving power to bullies, the impact of war and some Orcadian history. Though, I'll caveat that last part, as the author is open about how she changed details and rearranged timelines to fit her story. And as this isn't written by a native of Scotland, there are some issues with authenticity when it comes to the language. But overall, I found this a fascinating look into the history, and I really enjoyed the storyline. Lea has a really lovely writing style which invokes the atmosphere, and the characters felt well-rounded. I even enjoyed the romance, it didn't feel forced or unrealistic even given the situation. And the twists at the end were fantastic, it left me wanting to know what happened after the book closed.
I received a Netgalley of this title from Penguin Michael Joseph UK in return for a review. All opinions are my own.
This is the story of twins Dorothy and Constance, who have left Orkney for a bothy on an isolated island across the water after losing their parents. Constance has suffered a further trauma, one which we don't fully understand at first, but which has left her feeling like an outcast and unable to trust anyone but her sister. But their solitude is disturbed by the encroaching war, and the arrival of hundreds of Italian prisoners of war who are to be incarcerated on their island. With the camp comes the arrival of someone that Constance really doesn't want to have near her, and the outrage of the Orkney population at having their limited resources spread even further to support the prisoners as they construct sea barriers to prevent enemy ships accessing the water. When Dorothy volunteers to work in the camp infirmary, and feelings develop between her and a prisoner - Cesare, who builds and decorates a chapel for the prisoners - tensions build, with a devastating result.
I was really surprised with this book, from my initial low expectations. Yes, this involves a romance, but it is much more than that. This book looks at the treatment of prisoners, the danger of giving power to bullies, the impact of war and some Orcadian history. Though, I'll caveat that last part, as the author is open about how she changed details and rearranged timelines to fit her story. And as this isn't written by a native of Scotland, there are some issues with authenticity when it comes to the language. But overall, I found this a fascinating look into the history, and I really enjoyed the storyline. Lea has a really lovely writing style which invokes the atmosphere, and the characters felt well-rounded. I even enjoyed the romance, it didn't feel forced or unrealistic even given the situation. And the twists at the end were fantastic, it left me wanting to know what happened after the book closed.
I received a Netgalley of this title from Penguin Michael Joseph UK in return for a review. All opinions are my own.