She crossed an ocean to help—and discovered her true self along the way.
As World War I ravages Europe, Boston sculptor Anna Coleman Ladd leaves behind her comfortable life to answer a call she can no longer ignore: restoring the faces—and dignity—of soldiers shattered by the trenches.
Before reaching France, Anna travels to London to study the pioneering work of the famed "Tin Nose Shop," where early innovators are crafting lifelike facial masks for the wounded. Inspired by their breakthroughs and determined to carry the work even further, she journeys on to Paris and establishes the groundbreaking Studio for Portrait Masks.
In a city marked by loss, Anna and her small team revive a nearly forgotten art, creating copper masks so realistic they reveal the humanity behind the wounds. Their work draws the attention of surgeons and artists from around the world, forming a quiet international network devoted to giving disfigured soldiers a chance to reclaim their identities.
Inspired by true events, Shattered Faces illuminates a remarkable, overlooked chapter of history. Through vivid imagery and unforgettable characters, this novel pays tribute to resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism of a woman whose artistry became a lifeline for those who had lost everything.
Perfect for readers drawn to inspirational women in history, stories of healing and identity, and historical fiction set in wartime Europe, this is a moving exploration of how art can mend not only shattered faces, but broken hearts.
Fans of The Alice Network, The Paris Library, and Women Who Changed History will be captivated by Anna Coleman Ladd's extraordinary journey.
"An unforgettable adventure that will linger long after the last page."
