The Broken Covenant

by Carroll Hofeling Morris

Publication January 1, 1989 In The Broken Covenant, author Carroll Hofeling Morris tells a gripping story of sin and its aftermath, as one woman faces the possibility of estrangement from the Church and the disintegration of her family until she learns to accept responsibility for her actions.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Adult, Lds

287 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Carroll was born into a family of storytellers and readers. Her mother was an English teacher who insisted on correct grammar and delighted in quoting classic poetry. No wonder she was always interesting in writing!

Carroll wrote her first novel, The Broken Covenant, while living in Germany (her husband, Gary, was participating in a Fulbright teacher exchange). All of her novels are set in the context of Mormon culture. They explore the choices people make and the way those choices ripple outward to affect relationships and the possible future.

Carroll is the mother of four adult children. She and her husband live in Green Valley, Arizona.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman has an affair with another man. It was one night really but the I'd say affair as the relationship build up of this so called "friend" becomes stronger and stronger until the inevitable happens. This one action has such power to take away the bonds of a close knit family and nearly destroy it. Excommunicated from her religion she begins to pull away from life as she realizes that it won't be so easy for her family to forgive her and to forgive herself.

It really bothered me so much that she was not totally willing to take responsibility for her own actions; that she wanted to blame her husband and trying to be a perfect Mormon woman for what she chose to do. Her husband did have many issues with the biggest being a control freak, however until she FINALLY did realize that she made a conscious decision to do what she did and was even looking forward to it could the real healing begin.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book I was very sympathetic to the wife. I read it again a few years later and had compassion for the husband. An excellent portrayal of how a decision by one person affects many people and what happens when someone makes a horrible mistake and then tries to fix it. I have loved every book I have read by this author.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

when i was given my copy of this book I will admit I was not sure reading this would be good time spent. I was 100% wrong. this book brought tears and understanding about those whom fall in mistake, deal with forgiving themselves and pray for forgiveness. Understanding about how those whom have fallen to sin and the hard climb back was more understood because of how Carroll wrote this book.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely give up on a book, but I really didn't like this one. Every time I finished reading a bit, I'd feel so awful. I didn't like any of the characters, the subject matter was too personal, and the portrayal of "traditional" Mormon views were upsetting. I gave it a fair shot, but didn't make it past page 155. I definitely do not recommend this novel.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sisters hate this book since it's about the results of adultery, and it's not a book I can just pick up anytime. It's emotionally challenging, but it makes the repentance process and its anguish real to me. That's why I keep reading it.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fast moving book. Great insight of a controlling manipulating husband.

"No one can make you mad unless you choose to be mad."
"Try being your own fairy godmother-be responsible for your own emotions".

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book treats some real-life situations very well. I love the characters, the conflict, the story line. I'm afraid, however, that the cover does not do justice to the book.