Broken Country (Reese's Book Club)

Some reviews describe 'Broken Country' as a romance, and others describe it as a thriller. It is both but, more importantly, it is a literary novel of historical fiction that is a great read. Whether you want a novel for your airplane ride, or you want a deep read, you will get both in this novel.The novel centers around a married couple, Beth and Frank, who live on a farm in England. They love each other deeply despite the tragic death of their son several years ago, for which Frank feels responsible. The novel is told in different timelines, one in the relatively near past and one in the present, late 1960's. They are very close with Frank's brother Jimmy who appears to be an immature binge drinker. All is copacetic until Gabriel, Beth's first love, enters their lives after Frank shoots and kills Gabriel's son's dog who is a danger to the farm animals.It is not difficult to see where the narrative is going and what will happen in the immediate future. What is difficult to fathom is where the novel is headed down the line. There are twists and turns as the author explores the impact of infidelity on the marriage, on Beth, and on Gabriel and his son. We know from the very beginning that someone has been killed. Who it is, why they were killed, and who the killer is, is not revealed until the very end of the novel.I loved the book and had my head in it for two days, until I finished it. It is mesmerizing, well-written, and the characterizations are strong and carefully drawn out. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves literary fiction, historical fiction, a twisty murder mystery and an obsessive love story.

Some books quietly work their way into your heart. Others grab you from page one and refuse to let go. Broken Country is firmly in the latter camp. I devoured it in two days, completely swept up in its pages. It’s one of those rare reads that pulls you in so deeply, the real world fades away. I didn’t mind the escape.This novel manages to be a lot of things at once without ever losing its footing. It has a haunting love story, a twisty murder mystery, and it absolutely qualifies as historical fiction. But more than any of those labels, it’s simply really good literary fiction. It reads like a slow burn and a gut punch at the same time.Clare Leslie Hall’s (not her real name) writing is mesmerizing. Her prose is lyrical without being overwrought, and her characters are so carefully drawn, they feel like people you’ve known in another life. The landscapes are rendered with such poetic detail, you’ll swear you smelled the dust and felt the wind. The emotional weight is heavy, but in the best possible way. This book made me feel everything—love, longing, grief, redemption. At times, it was almost too much, but that’s what makes it unforgettable.The story lingers in the gray areas: between right and wrong, between justice and mercy, between love and obsession. It never feels like it’s trying too hard to be profound, yet it leaves you thinking long after the final page.This is a book I would actually re-read, not because I missed something the first time, but because I want to feel it all over again.An easy five stars. Highly recommend to anyone who likes their fiction smart but readable, soulful, and just a little devastating.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. The characters are so human,mostly good, but complex with their own flaws and insecurities. The writing is sumptuous... vivid, insightful and poetic. A story woven with love, tragedy, grit and new beginnings.

It was a story within a story within yet another story. The author did a wonderful job of holding the reader at bay wanting to know more and more about the outcomes and endings. Yet, she dangled us strategically until she was ready to unfold the multifaceted p!ot. What a ride!

This story grabbed me from the first paragraphs. The author made me feel the protagonist’s emotions deeply and kept me riveted throughout the book. It is a tragic love story set in the sixties but felt timeless. I completely enjoyed the book.

It's poignant and delves into the deep complexities of love, in all of it's forms. The writing is poetic, but real and gritty at the same time. There are so many twists and turns that you don't know what to expect next, just like the real lives we live. Thank you. It was a wonderful read that plumbed the depths of my own complicated loves.

You never see what is coming. So many surprises. It really is well written. The author brings you along so slowly then bam one surprise. You think that is all then bam another surprise then another. I am not easily surprised and yet this author did it many times. So satisfying. Loved every minute. I wish I could read it again for the first time!!

4.5 stars! This is a great book and an enjoyable read. The characters are interesting and the ending is really surprising! I liked the way the author wove different time periods, leading up to the conclusion. The end seemed a little rushed (and the reason I didn’t give it 5 stars). But all in all, one of my favorite books this year!