The Woman at the Wheel: A Novel

Before Mercedes-Benz became a legend, one woman embarked on a secret journey that changed everything.

Growing up in nineteenth-century Germany, Bertha Ringer is often told that she's "just a girl." But Bertha doesn't listen―not to her father, not to society, and not to fear. When she falls for Carl Benz, an ambitious inventor who dreams of creating a horseless carriage, Bertha sees more than love, she sees possibilities. She invests her entire dowry into Carl's invention and becomes his fiercest advocate.

But belief isn't enough. As Carl faces ridicule, bankruptcy, and the crushing doubt of his investors, Bertha realizes the only way to save their dream is to take it on the road herself―literally. What follows is a bold, covert expedition that will make headlines, scandalize society, and cement Bertha's place as a pioneer of innovation.

The Woman at the Wheel is a stirring work of biographical historical fiction based on the life of Bertha Benz, the overlooked visionary who helped ignite the modern automotive age. With emotional intensity and rich period detail, Penny Haw brings to life the woman whose courage, defiance, and love reshaped history―one mile at a time.

Penny Haw worked as a journalist and columnist for more than three decades, writing for many leading South African newspapers and magazines before yielding to a lifelong yearning to create fiction. Her stories feature remarkable women, illustrate her love for nature, and explore the interconnectedness of all living things, including The Invincible Miss Cust and The Woman at the Wheel. She is the recipient of the 2024 Philida Literary Award and lives near Cape Town with her husband and three dogs, all of whom are well-walked.