Mary Chamberlain

Mary Chamberlain is a novelist and historian specializing in British and Caribbean history. Her debut novel, "The Mighty Jester," was published in 2014, followed by the internationally bestselling "The Dressmaker of Dachau," released in the UK by HarperCollins and in the US as "The Dressmaker's War" by Random House. The novel sold in 19 countries and became a bestseller in multiple markets. Her subsequent works, including "The Hidden," "The Forgotten," and "The Lie," were published by Oneworld Publications, with "The Hidden" earning a spot in The Sunday Times' "Must Reads" list in 2019.

Chamberlain's historical research has significantly influenced her fiction, which often explores themes of memory, identity, and resilience. Her groundbreaking work "Fenwomen: A Portrait of Women in an English Village," published in 1975 as Virago Press's first title, remains a landmark study and inspired Caryl Churchill's award-winning play "Fen". Her scholarly contributions extend to Caribbean history, with notable works such as "Narratives of Exile and Return" and "Empire and Nation-Building in the Caribbean." A special 50th-anniversary edition of "Fenwomen" is slated for release in 2025 as part of the Virago Modern Classics series.

An emeritus professor of Caribbean history at Oxford Brookes University, Chamberlain continues to blend historical rigor with compelling storytelling in her fiction. Her novels have garnered critical acclaim for their meticulous research and emotional depth, cementing her reputation as both a distinguished historian and a bestselling author.