“Prize Women is a serious, thoughtful and epic journey into the trials of motherhood. . . .With her contrasting female characters, Lea interrogates the fight for female agency across class divides, a struggle that continues to this day. A fascinating snapshot of another time, perhaps not as far removed from our own as we might hope.”
— Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code
“Masterful. Caroline Lea is a superb storyteller, and Prize Women deserves a huge readership. So good, I had to pull myself away.”
— Elizabeth Macneal, bestselling author of The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders
“The story of true innocents caught up in the machinery of war. Exquisitely researched, beautifully told, this tiny corner of Scotland came alive for me in all of my senses and I found myself rooting for the central characters with all my heart.” — Mary Beth Keane, author of Ask Again, Yes on The Metal Heart
“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, author of Watching from the Dark and She Lies in Wait on The Metal Heart
“Gripped me in a cold fist. Beautiful.”
— Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton on The Glass Woman
“Piercing…. Devastating and revelatory.” — New York Times Book Review on The Metal Heart
“A fantastic, atmospheric debut.” — Times, London on The Metal Heart
“Memorable and compelling. A novel about what haunts us—and what should.” — Sarah Moss, author of Ghost Wall on The Metal Heart
“Lea crafts deeply intriguing characters while bringing to life their harsh landscape. Full of emotion, mystery, and suspense, this unique love story will keep readers guessing until the very end.” — Booklist on The Metal Heart
“Lovely prose and the lulling feel of escape into another time… will satisfy readers who wish to be submerged in the ways of an old world.” — Publishers Weekly on The Metal Heart
“Gorgeous. Prize Women – with its powerful, important message about women’s choices, freedom and motherhood – took my breath away. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”
— Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne
