Bertha Benz takes the Wheel of this Biographical Fiction

October 3, 2023 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

Bertha Benz takes the wheel of this biographical fiction

By Penny Haw

At its best, biographical fiction brings historical characters to life, conjuring names from the past into vital, multifaceted individuals with emotions, motives, virtues and flaws. In some cases, it introduces readers to exciting characters they might otherwise never have encountered. To me, the most compelling reason to write and read biographical fiction is because history contains enthralling stories, some so astounding they’re almost unbelievable. It’s one of the reasons I loved writing about Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon, Aleen Cust in my debut biographical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust and what inspired me to write about Bertha Benz in my new book, The Woman at the Wheel. There are few things more rewarding than for readers say, “What an incredible woman she was. I can’t believe I’d never heard of her before!”

The true story of Bertha is extraordinary. I learned about her cross-country drive in the Benz motorwagen with her sons in 1888 when, years ago, I was researching an article about women and technology in history. It occurred to me then that there was much more to the story than what was recorded. It was unlikely, I thought, that Bertha—wife of the inventor of the world’s first commercially produced automobile, Carl Benz—would’ve undertaken a 106-kilometre road trip in a one-of-a-kind machine, yet to be tested over more than a few kilometres, without there being a compelling reason for doing so. Neither would she have set off without the mechanical wherewithal.

When I had the opportunity to dig deeper, my suspicions were confirmed. Bertha was an exceptional woman. She was an ambitious, perceptive, and energetic visionary who, having worked alongside Carl to develop the motorwagen, she knew as much about it as he did. She was entrepreneurial with an incisive understanding of business at a time when women were expected to mind house and raise children.

My interest peaked when I discovered how, as a ten-year-old, Bertha had read the words “Unfortunately, only a girl again” alongside the record of her birth in the family Bible in her beloved father’s handwriting. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. What were the consequences of an educated, intelligent, curious, and driven girl reading those words? Even then, she was fascinated by her father’s work as a master builder. She wanted to know how things were made and what the future might bring. She was driven by curiosity and was eager to innovate. Did her father’s words incite Bertha to prove that she wasn’t “only” anything? Or was she destined to be a trailblazer regardless? These were questions I wanted to examine.

Although, when Bertha was older, her parents were determined to match her with a man of affluence and reputation, she had different ideas. When she met Carl, she recognized his brilliance, was excited by his dream, and saw how equitable a partnership with him might be. Carl recognized her strength and intelligence. Bertha saw his shortcomings and understood the part that she could play to help realize their ambitions.

It wasn’t only Bertha who intrigued me, but also the couple’s invention, business and the many challenges they faced. The motorwagen was unprecedented and people were scornful and disbelieving. Others were downright terrified of the motorwagen, denouncing it as the work of the devil. Bertha and Carl weathered ridicule, financial hardships, and countless other storms, including moments of self-doubt and misgivings about each other.

The more I learned about Bertha, the motorwagen, the Benz family and their business, the greater my interest grew and the more excited I became about exploring a part Bertha’s life as biographical fiction through a feminist lens. Her story had all the ingredients required of engaging fiction: a spirited, independent and fearless main character; fascinating other characters, including a genius husband, who wasn’t always understood and understanding; an unusual, singular ambition; and numerous challenges to overcome and adventures to be had. Indeed, the components were all there, waiting to be assembled like the parts of the motorwagen. Like any work of fiction, the primary goal of biographical fiction is to entertain. I was entertained and inspired by Bertha Benz and loved writing The Woman at the Wheel. I hope you do too.

The Woman at the Wheel by Penny Haw

Inspiring historical fiction based on the real life of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque.

“Unfortunately, only a girl again.”

From a young age, Cäcilie Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father’s work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. But those five words, which he wrote next to her name in the family Bible, haunt Bertha.

Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and falls in love―with him and his extraordinary dream of building a horseless carriage. Bertha has such faith in him that she invests her dowry in his plans, a dicey move since they alone believe in the machine. When Carl’s partners threaten to withdraw their support, he’s ready to cut ties. Bertha knows the decision would ruin everything. Ignoring the cynics, she takes matters into her own hands, secretly planning a scheme that will either hasten the family’s passage to absolute derision or prove their genius. What Bertha doesn’t know is that Carl is on the cusp of making a deal with their nemesis. She’s not only risking her marriage and their life’s work, but is also up against the patriarchy, Carl’s own self-doubt, and the clock.

Like so many other women, Bertha lived largely in her husband’s shadow, but her contributions are now celebrated in this inspiring story of perseverance, resilience, and love.

Buy it here:

Amazon US: https://srcbks.com/3DUG0IU

Amazon UK: https://t.ly/SCV47

B&N: https://srcbks.com/3jIgAaJ

Bookshop: https://srcbks.com/3Yzdjta

Books-a-Million: https://srcbks.com/3lmmbUp

Bio

Penny Haw worked as a journalist and columnist for more than three decades, writing for many leading South African newspapers and magazines before turning her hand to fiction. Her stories feature remarkable women, illustrate her love for nature and animals, and explore the interconnectedness of all living things. Penny’s biographical historical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust and The Woman at the Wheel are published by Sourcebooks Landmark. She also the author of winner of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) 2022 Star Award, The Wilderness Between Us and a children’s book, Nicko, The Tale of a Vervet Monkey on an African Farm. She lives near Cape Town with her husband and three dogs, all of whom are well-walked.