The Fall Of Bellwether

by Chad V. Broughman

In the small town of Bellwether, where prejudice and judgment prevail, five harrowing life paths collide and a saga of survival, defiance, and unyielding human spirit unfolds. Winner of the Amity Literary Prize

419 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2024

Reviews

[Rupsa Pal Kundu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set over a three-decade period of American history in the 1800s, the story leads us on a journey through incidents of love, loyalty, bigotry and redemption. The story has horrific incidents at its core and is very dark at times but ultimately hope takes over each time. The characters have their own voices and leaves the reader to ponder over many prejudices.
the author transports readers to 1841 Midwest, immersing them in a world of duplicity and struggle. A mother and daughter fight against abandonment and starvation. Moreover, while capturing the intricate web of relationships of Sarah and Hiram whose love is forbidden, and Eva and Uriah who open the door to forgiveness tell us an unforgettable story of the indomitable human spirit.
Broughman enlightens his reader to some very unfortunate and disturbing details during the mid-1800’s around slavery, incest, draft evasion and religious hypocrisy. The issues with extreme trauma that too in different point of views left me gasping for clean air. The pain the prose inflicts upon the reader is too much at times. But it was the fast pace that kept me glued to the book till the end.

Chad Broughman’s first novel did not disappoint me. I am extremely elated to be an advanced reader for this piece. Thank you @netgalley for this book.

[MRS C J FIELDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall of Bellweather is a belter of a novel, weaving several stories of the inhabitants of a mid 19th century American town, full of hate, love and redemption. The prose is beautiful and the dialogue authentic - an easy 5* from me, I can't wait to read more from this brilliant writer.
#TheFallOfBellwether #NetGalley

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly, I had a lot of trouble navigating most of the book. I didn't enjoy the short chapters, flipping through a variety of characters. The plot revealed unrelentingly difficult lives, with little joy and many hardships. The author used a lot of language that perhaps is meant to reflect common usage at the time, but it did not sit well with me. I think the book needs proofreading; there were downright errors in word choice.

As I read further into the book, I did see some glimmers of promise in descriptive writing that caught my interest. Characters' feelings also seemed pretty authentic. Mr. Broughman, go back to work and rewrite your masterpiece.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW….WOW….WOW!!! The Fall of Bellwether is a truly amazing and epic story. Chad Broughman’s debut novel is definitely a not-to-be-missed story. I read it in one sitting; I just couldn’t put it down, and I am guessing that almost any reader out there will feel exactly the same.

In the small town of Bellwether, Michigan, the lives of the main characters meet as they each attempt to survive the paths they have been on. Bellwether is definitely a town filled with a lot of narrow-minded people who choose to judge others no matter what. As the story unfolds, we meet so many people…one who is running away from slavery, those who go to war, those who are trying to live down their history, those who are settling into a new place and trying to learn how to fit in, and the list goes on. As each of these lives begins to connect with others, this book just takes off, and the reader is completely pulled in to each person and their story. It shows the reader that, not only can life be beautiful, but it can also be ruthless and very evil.

This is, without a doubt, a story of America, and the writing is mesmerizing. Readers are led all over the country, witnessing the horrors of slavery, the Civil War, the Chicago Fire, and more. From brothels to the pulpit of a church, The Fall of Bellwether exemplifies the idea that, even those who have lost the most and are treated the worst, can be saved and their lives can have meaning.

I cannot say enough about the writing. It is always incredibly descriptive… beautiful at one moment and horrific at another, depending upon what is going on, and any reader will feel that they are right there with the characters at any given moment. I was so impressed by every page. This is also a very emotional story. One moment, you are happy for a character; the next moment, you are completely repulsed by one, but again, you feel every single second of it. I smiled, I cried, and I had moments where I just wanted to reach into the pages and throttle someone. It evokes every feeling you can possibly have at different times.

The characters are interesting, complicated, and extremely well-developed. It is so easy to fall into the story and care about each and every one, to root for them to survive and find their place in life and in the town. From Hiram, who suffers and ends up choosing a path that leads him to God… to Ada, who loses her entire family and then is shunned by the town… to Sarah, a slave who has been horribly abused and escapes… every one of them (and there are many more) is fascinating and you become completely absorbed in their stories and how their lives weave together.

The Fall of Bellwether by Chad V. Broughman is historical fiction at its absolute best. From the plot to the writing to the amazing characters, there is absolutely nothing about this book that is not perfect. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I cannot tell you how much I hope that another novel from this debut writer appears on the horizon as soon as possible. 5 Stars (and I truly wish it could be more than that)!!!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Fall of Bellwether
✍🏻Chad V. Broughman
Blurb:
"The Fall of Bellwether" transports readers to 1841, immersing them in a world of duplicity and struggle. As the mother-daughter duo fight against abandonment and starvation, their resilience challenges the very fabric of the town's beliefs. With its vividly depicted setting, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, this historical fiction masterpiece weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, forgiveness, and the power of unity. Step into the pages and discover the strength that can be found even in the darkest of times. The novel opens with a riviting scene, the moment of Elinor's impending execution. The narrative paints a stark picture of the town's hypocrisy-as the same people who once attended church with Ada, now act as judge, jury, and executioners. With masterful strokes, the author breathes life into the town of Bellwether, capturing the intricate web of relationships where superficial appearances and fervent religious beliefs dictate people's actions. Authentic dialogue serves as a siren's call, drawing readers into this exquisitely sculpted tale that exalts love, forgiveness, and communal bonds. Through the author's deft exploration of redemption and the imperative of embracing one's past while steadfastly reaching for a brighter tomorrow, this literary gem stands as a testament to the indomitable resilience of the human spirit-a reverberating reminder that through unity and boundless compassion, even the most foreboding shadows can be vanquished.
My Thoughts
The Fall of Bellwether very vivid writing of some harrowing and heartbreaking stories. A great work of historical fiction. Chad’s first book and it was wonderful. This book was hard to put down.. The story of each character and story was easy to follow. Chad transports readers to 1841 Midwest, immersing them in a world of duplicity and struggle. A mother and daughter fight against abandonment and starvation. Moreover, while capturing the intricate web of relationships of Sarah and Hiram whose love is forbidden, and Eva and Uriah who open the door to forgiveness tell us an unforgettable story of the indomitable human spirit Chad V. Broughman has written a wonderful book, I will be waiting for more from the author.
Thanks NetGalley, Anamcara Press LLC and Author Chad V. Bellwether for the advanced copy of "The Fall Of Bellwether. I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AnamcaraPressLLC
#ChadV.Bellwether
#TheFallOfBellwether
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⚠️Trigger Warnings: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Racism, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent

[Lisa Mcqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Fall of Bellwether" is a gripping and haunting catapult into the trenches of humanity’s Civil War-era evolution. The author’s commanding creation of his characters commits the reader to their loyalty in the very first paragraphs. So powerful is the journey that these loyalties will remain as a spiritual whisper in the mind of the reader long after the book has been closed. Author Chad V. Broughman creates a truly masterful complexity of human connections together in a raw and rapturing rumination of faith to doubt, survival to loss, and reckoning to redemption.

Early 1800 life in the wild, remote Great Lakes region of northern Michigan is rife with cutting beauty, sustainable land, and rugged coastlines. The untamed maiden land was meant only for those who refused to yield to her. In the remote town of Bellwether is a brazen people armed with unspeakable hardships and fortitude not only to tame the region but who must each confront disparaging human devaluation and personal reckonings in their unfolding trials and triumphs. Whether the characters are hidden alone in the dark of night or unleashed before a crowd in the light of day, Chad V. Broughman envelops the reader by deftly merging the reader with his characters and invoking the introspection necessary to consider many of the biggest threats to humankind as faced in Bellwether.

"The Fall of Bellwether" by Chad V. Broughman is a riveting journey that entwined me with the likes of innocent Elinor, and the tenacious Ada with a strength that delivers profound soul-searching the reader is sure not to soon dismiss. I held my breath and gripped the pages over the fierce and unrelenting Eva and her ability to navigate the scornful while the reader genuinely cheers her forward in the face of disgracefulness. My spirituality was profoundly affected by the faith and direction guided by the soul-searching and imperfect Hiram, a man who turned to God and committed to not turning away from mankind. I found the breath-holding climbs of hills and valleys with the determined Sarah to be humbling as she teaches the reader with her capacity to hold love close in the face of a world riddled with hate. This fast-flowing book will envelop the reader and silence the world around them while traversing the unthinkable and upending their soul as they follow the indelible human spirit to Bellwether.

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book as a meal: Imagine a stew, rich and comforting, but every so often, you're hit with an unexpected burst of spice that leaves you tearing up

The book left me: Melancholic. Staring out into space, hoping the characters found solace


Pick-up-able? Put-down-able? 
Pick-up-able with a little resistance. Since there were so many drops and slow lulls in the story in between the horrific events, it could be a little tough to want to continue reading


How is it paced? 
This book is paced like waves. It comes and goes in horrific events, a good little break, and back again to being tragic


What about progression? 
Have you trudged through new snow? Thats what the progression felt a little like. Suddenly we progress really fast in the light snow, and then we hit a wet or icy spot and have to go a little slower again. But every step you take leads you further towards your goal as long as you persist


Issues: 
The amount of trauma in this book had me stressed
Lots of POV's to keep track of
I never felt safe liking a character becasue I worried they might just die/disappear spontaneously


Good things: 
Very emotional and got me thinking how I treat people
All the different perspectives gave a full experience
Very atmospheric


What makes this different? 
I feel this whole book took the concept of "fighting through everything horrible and becoming a better person becasue of it" was very very well done. Every character had an absolute shitshow of terrible things happen, but pulled through in one way or another. The amount of devlopment and growth here is astounding


How did it feel to read? 
I felt like a fugitive, a victim, a helpless bystander, and like I should go tell my parents I love them


What mood would I read this in? 
I need a spoonfull of hope and I feel grateful my life is the way it is


Better or worse than expected? 
Much much better. I was worried this would be another piece of fiction set in this specific era that just moved too slow or didnt have enough happening in a certain span of time. But this exceeded all expectations and got me wanting more in this genre


Where does this fall in my tier list tanking? 
Solid S tier book, absolutely stunning work, will recommend to my fiction girlies

[Molly Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long search for a solid read, Chad Broughman’s first novel did not disappoint! Having read Broughman’s earlier short-story publishings, I was elated to be an advanced reader for this piece. I could not put this book down! It is understandable why all of his works have been and will be celebrated!

This author’s talent as a wordsmith draws you into this mid-19th century American story immediately as you follow multiple power characters through bitter yet historically significant hardships. One by one, and sometimes together, the main characters’ stories develop as they reside, leave, or return to Bellwether. The butterfly effects of each character’s tenacity begins a process of change that is reflective of what is needed in today’s time.

It is clear the author has researched not only the book’s substantial mid 1800s timeframe, but also the many settings throughout the novel. From the most vivid descriptions of the Upper Peninsula’s natural beauty and geological formations, to the Great Chicago Fire, Broughman enlightens his reader to some very unfortunate and disturbing details around slavery, incest, draft evasion and religious hypocrisy. Regardless of the dark details, this tale easily becomes a page turner you never want to end.

I love “The Fall of Bellwether” for both how well it is written, and for the depth of the characters and their connections together for the most valuable of life’s lessons: kindness, empathy, perseverance, and integrity–it is never too late to do the right thing.

[Chris Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to be a advanced reader for The Fall of Bellwether.

Set before and in the years following the American Civil War, Chad Broughman’s debut novel The Fall of Bellwether, is not a war story, but rather a tale of the private battle each character is fighting with his own inner demons and circumstances. In blunt and honest language, we live their ordeals with them and marvel at the strength of character that enables many of them to rise above their adversity,

Chad Broughman is a master storyteller and has created a story of courage, resilience and change. His concise language and poetic descriptions craft a novel that feels more like watching a movie than reading a book. Each character has a gripping story of his own, but the stories of three strong women, Ada, Eva and Sarah, I found most compelling. They were able to free themselves from the shackles of circumstances that challenge their lives.

I am notorious for starting more books than I ever finish, but after the first compelling chapter I couldn’t put the book down. I was swept away with the intertwined lives of the many diverse characters who live in and pass through the town of Bellwether.

In The Fall of Bellwether, Chad Broughman has written a story of hope. It is a powerful read and without hesitation I recommend this book. Bravo!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege to end my summer reading list with an advance copy of the Fall of Bellwether, by northern Michigan author Chad Broughman. Set in the 1800's, Broughman's tale gives us first person accounts of happenings that touch every side of Americana, unfolding dialect, traditions and travesties. But the lines aren't clear and the reader sees through to the human qualities that are universal. I was surprised that I made connections to each of the characters on some level- to Basil and his self doubt, to Sarah and her forgiveness, and to Ruth for her resilience. Broughman deftly weaves their stories and intersects through the town of Bellwether, transporting his readers through time and place to the everyday toils, hopes and fears of his characters. Rich connections to historic events such as the great Chicago fire and the Union Army storming Lookout Mountain demonstrate the fabric of the time and how it touched and affected one and all. Broughman's finale provides a message of hope and transformation, leaving the reader to ponder their own role in the small moments of life.

[Ken Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to have been chosen as an advance reader of “The Fall of Bellwether” by Chad Broughman.

Two women are hung by their fellow parishioners for trumped-up charges of witchcraft. One survives her ordeal in the Michigan town of Bellwether, and we are drawn into her life, the life of the town, the lives of others.

Set over a three-decade period of American history in the 1800s, the story leads us on a riveting journey through scenes chock full of bravery, slavery, loyalty, bigotry, love, and finally, hard-earned redemption.

The narrative is written with a particular vernacular and dialogue that allowed me to feel as if I was privy to the conversations, the language, endemic to the novel’s milieu.

We read to discover how characters overcome the obstacles they encounter, and the author delivers what we want.

In “The Fall of Bellwether,” Broughman portrays a visceral, gripping tale of an American past, its knuckles and scabs, its glories.

[Neil Carolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged with the opportunity of being an advanced reader of this fantastic book.

I was absolutely blown away by the awesome power of the characters that live on and inside these pages. I was moved to tears out of happiness, joy and anger for them, and because of them. Chad insists you feel what he felt when he penned each word; becoming more and more intense as the story unfolds. This book is not possible to put down once you start. You will ask yourself “how could he have so much insight on something if he hadn’t lived it himself?” While I can assure you, Chad is not 300 years old, you can just FEEL yourself being with these characters, walking alongside them and watching the movie in your head that is The Fall of Bellwether. I would recommend this book 1000 times over to you. I look forward to seeing all the reflections of all of the readers that hung on every heavy word as I did!

[Joni Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to be an advanced reader of this book.

This was a thought provoking, well written book crafted with many layers. It was tragic and distressing and I found myself torn between wanting to stop reading it because it was so harrowing at times, yet compelled to go on. When I did stop for a few days, I could not get the characters and their story out of my head.

Mr Broughman gave us a masterful story in which I could feel their joy and their pain. He did not sugarcoat things to make a pretty story but he gave us believable characters and reality and did it so it will not be forgotten.

I seriously believe I could have been reading a book from a well published author rather than an author’s first novel.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow yourself to be transported to a snapshot in time filled with conflicts, personal and societal. Traipse through familiar (or perhaps introductory) Michigan locales to a town in need of mending and change. Mr. Chad Broughman escorts you through the complex fabric of life East of the Mississippi in the Civil War era. There you will explore the soaring heights and plunging pitfalls of relationships -romantic and otherwise- all manner of sin of which human beings are capable, and will be left with a hope that after pain comes healing.

As my one and only written review on goodreads, you can trust that no other book in my library has moved me quite like this one. I implore you to give Bellwether a chance.

[Patti Eddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to be an early reader of this book. Broughman brings excellent research, frank and honest writing and a refreshing evaluation of realistic redemption and community growth to “The Fall of Bellweather.”
Juxtaposed with the beautiful woods of the upper peninsula of Michigan, this historical novel follows multiple, intertwined, dark and poignant story lines which each illuminate the complexities of enslavement in all of its forms.
“The Fall of Bellweather” is an emotional experience as well as an important and vital read. The lessons it teaches are those still desperately needed today.

[Dan Polleys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will transport you through time. You'll become the characters and they'll allow you to experience history through a variety of perspectives. Broughman is a master wordsmith and uses clever language that captures stories and histories that need to be told. I highly recommend this and can't wait for his next book!

[Joy Strawser Roudabush · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall of Bellwether is a beautifully written story of redemption. I was taken on captivating journeys (each meriting its own novel) following the individual lives of well-developed characters whose stories weaved together flawlessly. The depth of knowledge the author obtained from researching for this endeavor is apparent and appreciated. I look forward to reading Mr. Broughman’s next novel.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Chad’s first book and it was wonderful. I didn’t want it to end. I got attached to all the characters. It was an easy transition to each of the characters throughout the book. The story of each character was easy to follow. Can’t wait until his next book.

[Joshua Broughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down. Purchased everything Chad has written

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t second guess yourself you will love this book!! I promise!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous story! Every character is well thought out, the story is so good to read to the very end.