Broken Country (by Clare Leslie Hall)

I can be quite a mood reader. Sometimes, I put a library hold on an audiobook and have to wait for several long months before my turn. By the time the book becomes available, I’ve lost the mood to read it. In the case of Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, I wasn’t as excited to read it anymore, but I knew I put a hold on it for a reason. Now, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this magnificent piece of literature.

Set in the rural English countryside of Dorset, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s, the story centers on Beth, a devoted farmer’s wife, and her gentle husband Frank. Their seemingly stable marriage is quietly shaped by past grief. When Beth’s charismatic first love, now a successful novelist, returns to their small village with his young son, old feelings resurface, leading to simmering passion, jealousy, impossible choices, and dangerous consequences. The story is framed by glimpses of a courtroom drama, exploring themes of enduring first love, betrayal, loss, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of the past.

Broken Country is a beautiful literary novel that combines elements of a sweeping love story with the suspense and twists of a thriller. I was completely mesmerized by Hall’s narrative and emotionally powerful writing. I loved learning about the characters from an earlier time in their lives and their present moment through switching timelines. At the heart of the book is a literary masterpiece, while a mystery lurks in the background, gradually becoming more suspenseful and puzzling. I love how the story explores the ripple effect of the characters’ actions, illustrating how profound and intense the impact of our choices on those around us can be. The conclusion of the book was significantly emotional, serving as a poignant and bittersweet close to the story. It emphasizes themes of forgiveness, enduring love despite betrayal and loss, and finally beginning to mend after decades of pain.

I borrowed the audiobook of Broken Country from my local library using Libby. Hattie Morahan did an incredible job bringing these characters to life.

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