In 1955, 16-year-old Beth Kennedy meets 17-year-old Gabriel Wolfe on his family estate, Meadowlands. Despite class differences, they bond over literature and poetry, forming a passionate first love. Their romance intensifies during Gabriel’s parents’ absence, but is disrupted by his mother, Tessa, whose manipulative behavior and social elitism create tension. Beth hopes to join Gabriel at Oxford, but misinterprets his diary, believing he has been unfaithful, and ends their relationship. SuperSummary +1 By 1968, Beth is married to Frank Johnson, a steadfast farmer. Their marriage is overshadowed by the tragic death of their son, Bobby, leaving Beth emotionally isolated. Gabriel returns to Meadowlands with his son, Leo, reigniting old feelings and unsettling the village. A series of events, including a dog being shot by Beth’s brother-in-law, escalates tensions, culminating in a fatal shooting and a courtroom trial that tests loyalties and reveals hidden truths - cf. bing.com/search?q=broken+country+book+club+summar {English language original}