Review of 'The Woman at the Wheel' by Penny Haw

Review of 'The Woman at the Wheel' by Penny Haw

Release date: October 3rd, 2023

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

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REVIEW

When I saw The Woman at the Wheel online and its caption, I knew I had to read it. And I am so glad I did as it has enriched my knowledge of another great woman of history: one who has made a huge contribution to the progress of transportation. Historical fiction can educate us in the most delightful way and I can honestly say this book inspired me and brought to my attention the incredible Bertha Benz. Without doubt, this is one of the most moving stories I have read this year!

The author’s passionate interest in Bertha Benz comes shining through. I felt as though I was there beside this brave resourceful woman all the way through the story. Penny Haw has treated this real person from the past with great respect and presented her in an honest yet glowing light. Bertha Benz, a strong, persuasive and highly intelligent woman, was up against the prejudices or her time. She was a visionary, like her genius husband and I loved watching them bring their inventions to the world, particularly the motorwagon. There were so many fantastic arguments Bertha won with her keen insight and belief in her husband’s abilities. She was his true partner in every sense of the word and particularly supported him through all his faults (yes, he wasn’t perfect) and setbacks. She made up for the differences and helped his dream become a reality—even amid the ridicule, the betrayals of others, the lack of funds, faith and vision of others. She held fast to the dream and drew her children into it as well. She convinced the un-convincible that their invention was important and worth investing in.

With the way Penny Haw has brilliantly portrayed Bertha, I cannot help rave on about this book and woman. I loved that she stood up for herself against the farce traditions and beliefs of her time. From the time she read her father’s words about her birth when she was ten years old ‘unfortunately only a girl again’ we wonder if she was determined to prove her worth after that. Or was she just that way and would have done everything she did, regardless? A part of me thinks it was a bit of both. In the 1800s the desire for a male heir was strong and Bertha was the third daughter. Yet despite her father’s disappointment that he was having another girl (the third one), he talked to her in great length about his work as a master builder in Germany and she was fascinated and greatly interested, learning all she could from him. Her mother had differing views. She said, ‘Everything a girl learns is useless’ and ‘misleading.’ She felt women were meant to be in the home living a traditional life.

Even though Bertha’s parents wanted her married off to someone of stature and wealth, she wanted to be with someone who would respect her, value her and share an equal partnership. Carl was that man. He was intelligent and an ambitious inventor but poor. He respected her intelligence and opinion. Carl was raised by his mother who was a strong woman and he learned from her. He did not grow up with a father figure who would have formed in him the usual male views of his time. So, for Carl having an equal partnership with his wife was a natural thing.

‘It would take more than being a genius to realise a dream.’ Carl received his education degrees at a young age and his intelligence was visible early on. His passion to invent the horseless carriage, though, had recurring problems—even with the support of his wife who invested her dowry and inheritance early on to see the dream fulfilled. For this was a costly adventure and they did not have enough money to design the components. They needed investors. But Carl’s impatience and intolerance of others who did not understand his engineer brain, made it difficult. Bertha realised there were some gaps in his social abilities and she became the bridge and built relationships with some of his partners. Many times, she had to rein Carl in to keep the balance. It was quite an adventure with numerous challenges. Bertha was good for business and had a gift of effective negotiating. As a result, together they were able to persevere and succeed.

I won’t discuss the famous long perilous journey that was over 100 KM she took with her two sons to prove the motorwagon’s worth except to say it was a fascinating tribute to her determination, bravery and understanding of the vehicle which led to an even greater development of it. Her trip exposed the weak areas and her husband was able to modify those parts to make it even better.

There are many wonderful themes in the novel: including sisterhood and friendship. Bertha was close to her sisters. So when they both moved to America, she felt a great loss but continued to correspond with one for advice. As for friendships: hers with Ava was unexpected. Initially it was a positive experience but later when Ava married, there were tense moments. Bertha needed to have these women to confide in, even though she knew she was very different from her sisters and friends. Unfortunately, this sometimes caused resentment (particularly with Ava). But with Ben, the journalist, she had a valuable friendship. He was instrumental in helping to spread the word of the motor wagon to the once small-minded world.

Animals played an important role in Bertha’s life. Her dogs were wonderful companions and there were some scenes with them that really broke my heart. Her mother had a deep connection to horses and there’s a beautiful passage that gave me goosebumps. Horses generally symbolise freedom and power. In those days, horses were used everywhere and her mother resented the fact these animals had been harnessed and often injured by humans. So, replacing them with an engine was a genius solution in her mind. Yet ironically the word horsepower remained part of transport vehicle’s description.

The Woman at the Wheel takes us into the heart and life of a woman who truly was a positive force behind her husband and who shared his vision. Ms. Haw’s novel celebrates this vividly. As Carl said in the dedication of his autobiography: (and is used in the novel) she was the one person who stayed next to him ‘in the little ship of life in the days when the sinking was approaching…she did not tremble during the onslaught of life. Brave and courageous, she hoisted new sails of hope and support at a time when no one else believed in the dream.’

This is a wonderful inspiring novel that I highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for my review copy.