Breaking boundaries in a broken system: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

“She has been born at exactly the right time to be a woman… for you… the world is changing”.

After receiving a pre-publication copy of Broken Country as part of my Publishing MA at Northumbria University, I didn’t expect a historical fiction novel infused with crime and romance to become such a life-changing and inspiring novel for me. After just a few pages, I was completely captivated by the intensity of the narrative and the rollercoaster of a story.

Clare Leslie Hall, a novelist and journalist from Dorset, drew inspiration for Broken Country’s setting from growing up in an old farmhouse surrounded by fields. The novel’s exploration of social class was also likely inspired by Hall’s observations of rural England, and the lingering class divides in its villages, still prominent in the 21st century. Similarly, it could be her admiration for L.P. Hartley’s The Go-Between that urged her to explore these power dynamics, societal structures, and tragic love narratives in her own work.

Published on 4 March 2025, Broken Country transcends genres of romance, crime, and mystery, as it serves as both an advocacy piece for women’s education and an exposé of the societal structures that remain internalised in the system. At first glance, you might think it’s a typical, cliched love triangle: a grieving woman, mourning the loss of her child and trying to hold onto the marriage with her kind-hearted husband, but encountering her first love who is freshly divorced with a son of a similar age, eager to reignite the spark. Expected, right?

No.

The extraordinary novel is set between two timelines, the past (1955) and the present (1968), featuring complex, morally grey characters with thought-provoking, realistic struggles. Beth Kennedy, a passionate and ambitious young woman, is introduced as a working-class schoolgirl rumoured to be the first in her village to attend Oxford. This Oxford storyline struck a particular chord with me, as being from a working-class, immigrant background myself, I was always aware of how slim my chances were of being accepted into a prestigious university. Despite my teachers’ best efforts, our talent and ambition often couldn’t compete with the connections and privileges private school students received from their institutions. Beth’s story mirrors this reality, despite being set 70 years ago. Her devastation at the prejudice of her schoolteachers, her resilience in the face of an underage pregnancy, and her unwavering strength are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Even now, thinking about all the opportunities and natural talent Beth lost makes my heart clench. But what moved me the most was her determination to create a better world for her daughter, to see the revolutions of the 70s reshape the system, allowing her daughter the chance to break free from the same patriarchal constraints that held Beth back.

The character of Gabriel Wolfe is interesting, to say the least. He embodies the thrill and excitement of first love, lost youth and later forbidden desire. He also represents everything Beth struggled to achieve – an Oxford-educated writer and a parent to a healthy child. Yet beneath his charm lies an uncomfortable reality: his privilege shields him from the struggles Beth faces. Gabriel writes about social criticism and women who subvert the norm, raising the question of whether a middle-class white man is truly in a position to exploit such themes when he has never experienced or advocated for them himself. This moment made me reconsider Gabriel’s character, as his novels and characters are inspired by Beth and the rural village he grew up in, yet never wanted to be a part of.

Broken Country is a diamond, blending history, romance, and social critique in a deeply personal and universally relevant way, which I haven’t seen in a book in a long time. For working-class and minority background readers, the novel serves as both a painful reminder of the systematic barriers that exist, and a powerful testament to resilience in a world not designed for us. It is a book that lingers long after the last page, urging us to question, to empathise, and to recognise that the Beth Kennedys of the world should no longer need to sacrifice their dreams due to their social standing and circumstance.

If you are looking for a book that challenges societal expectations while delivering a gripping, emotionally charged narrative, you should pick up Broken Country – but be warned, it will definitely make you cry at night.

Nadia Gustab is a Publishing MA student at Northumbria University, with a placement at Hachette UK. She is looking forward to working within Rights or Marketing departments in the future.