Rhonda’s Reviews > Broken Country > Status Update

Powerful writer - her clear lines can stick with the reader.- quote about how she and Frank are stewards of the land and despite anything else, it is their job to take care of it for the next generation.

Tessa is truly a villain. I hate her parts. It makes sense that she’s going to convince MC about the baby.

Pregnant and had to leave school at 17 - Frank was a better father than you ever could’ve been? …. Interesting because Gabriel becomes a little more sympathetic now

Frank had to pick up the pieces. “Your son” - unforgivable

“You stole him.”

Why did Gabriel’s mother know?

Okay okay, it is kind of masterful storytelling. Will there be even more?!

I do understand Frank’s guilt and wanting a concrete punishment.

I hate the idea of Gabriel ending up with MC and then them raising Leo and new baby.

Okay yes so they are protecting L. But why are little children so unprotected on this farm? And why don’t they take proper precautions with shotguns? 😩 just like Bobby’s classmate when he visited the farm years ago.

Gabriel driving inebriated Jimmy back to Frank’s farm. Wording is “like a father,” not like equals - Let’s go, get in the car. Prior reference to George & Lenny - the brothers.

At first 70/80% - I thought Gabriel shot, Frank protecting him so he can continue to care for his son Leo.
Now 90% - possibly both men are protecting MC.

The narration is so indulgent. I wonder if it’s more despicable as an audiobook. ‘Oh…how will Frank cope?!’ While he is literally in jail and she is safe in her sister’s cozy apartment. Or safe in their farmhouse or wherever. She keeps waxing poetic and it’s annoying.

I wonder if the buzz about the end of the book will live up to the hype.

“As if even the memory of Bobby is too pure to be in the midst of all this.” Yes. Fully true.

Honestly I would stop reading if I didn’t have book club for this book. The affair - I am so disinterested. And she’s getting another (already vulnerable) child involved. Part of me feels like I should be sympathetic due to her trauma but I just don’t want to read about it. Does she not have a farm to run? How can one take hours off from one’s daily responsibilities? 🙄

This is getting tedious. Her child died, her brother in law is getting married, and she is kissing her first love. I hope the pace starts picking up soon.