Podcast Summary: "Clare Leslie Hall, BROKEN COUNTRY" on Totally Booked with Zibby
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes novelist and journalist Claire Leslie Hall to discuss her latest novel, "Broken Country". As a Book Club pick for June and Barnes and Noble's pick of the month, "Broken Country" has already garnered significant attention. Claire delves into the inspiration behind her novel, her writing process, character development, and offers valuable advice for aspiring authors.
Author Background and Inspiration
Claire Leslie Hall introduces herself as a novelist and journalist residing in Dorset, England. Under the pseudonym Clare Empson, she previously published two domestic noir thrillers—"Hitchhike Him" and "Mine"—which were released in the UK and Germany. "Broken Country" marks her U.S. debut, inspired by literary classics like L.P. Hartley's The Go-Between.
Notable Quote:
“[Broken Country] is a nod to The Go-Between, featuring a forbidden love affair with catastrophic repercussions.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [00:44]
Overview of "Broken Country"
"Broken Country" is a multifaceted novel set in the 1960s in a small English village, culminating in a high-stakes murder trial in London. The story centers on Beth, a young woman entangled in a passionate love triangle between two distinct men and lifestyles. The unexpected return of her first love, Gabriel, disrupts her life, weaving together elements of romance, courtroom drama, and mystery.
Plot Highlights:
- Time period: 1960s
- Setting: Small English village and London
- Main Characters: Beth, Gabriel, Frank, Leo
- Themes: Love, loss, grief, and the complexities of human relationships
Notable Quote:
“It's really the story of a young woman, Beth, who's completely torn between two fair different men and two very different lifestyles.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [02:00]
Writing Process and Development
Claire shares her extensive writing journey, emphasizing the persistence required to bring "Broken Country" to fruition. She undertook approximately 20 drafts over four years, constantly evolving the narrative. Initially focused solely on a love story and a man’s death, Claire later incorporated the murder trial element, inspired by real-life observations at London's Old Bailey courthouse.
Research and Inspiration:
- Spent time observing real murder trials at the Old Bailey
- Immersed herself in farm life to authentically depict the rural setting
- Engaged with farmers to understand their lifestyles and challenges
Notable Quotes:
“I spent probably a year going out with farmers on and off... I learned how to milk cows, which was really hard, and I was not very good at it.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [08:58]
“Putting that, breaking it up and putting it through the novel really helped with the suspense.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [06:29]
Creating a Living Setting: The Farm as a Character
A significant portion of "Broken Country" is dedicated to depicting farm life, which Claire intentionally crafted to function as a character in its own right. Her firsthand experiences on farms enriched the narrative, allowing her to portray the landscape, seasons, and wildlife with vivid realism.
Impact of Research:
- Enhanced appreciation for the farming lifestyle
- Detailed descriptions of agricultural activities and rural beauty
- Infusion of personal observations into the novel’s setting
Notable Quotes:
“I wanted the farm setting to really be its own character because I could see it like a movie in my head.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [11:13]
“They were noticing beauty in the midst of all the toil. And I thought that was amazing.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [11:28]
Themes of Grief and Loss
"Broken Country" poignantly explores themes of grief and loss, particularly through the character of Beth, who grapples with the devastating loss of a child. Claire openly discusses how personal experiences with loss influenced her portrayal of Beth and other characters dealing with grief.
Personal Connection:
- Claire has three children and acknowledges the depth of her portrayal despite not having experienced child loss directly.
- The characters’ struggles with grief mirror Claire’s own experiences with losing her mother during her university years.
Notable Quotes:
“Beth's lot in life... how you can actually get that marriage back on track.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [15:26]
“I lost my mom when I was at university and it took me 20 years to actually sort of deal with it.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [19:21]
Character Development and Complexity
Claire delves into the intricate personalities of her characters, particularly focusing on Frank and Jimmy, who both suffer from unresolved grief. Frank immerses himself in work to avoid dealing with his emotions, while Jimmy exhibits volatile behavior as a result of losing his mother at a young age.
Complex Antagonist:
- Tessa Wolf: The mother-in-law is portrayed as a narcissistic and judgmental character, adding tension and conflict in the story. Claire emphasizes her efforts to provide a backstory that adds depth to Tessa, making her more than a one-dimensional antagonist.
Notable Quotes:
“Tessa Wolf... she is an awful sort of snobbish, prejudiced, very judgmental person who’s a troublemaker.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [21:05]
“I had to work quite hard to not make her real pantomime baddie.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [21:50]
Writing Challenges and Triumphs
Claire candidly discusses the challenges she faced while writing "Broken Country," including moments of doubt and the temptation to abandon the project. Through persistence and dedication, she overcame these obstacles, emphasizing the importance of continuing despite setbacks.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistence: Continued writing despite advice to give up
- Bravery: Tackling unfamiliar genres like courtroom drama and farming life
- Research: Embracing thorough research to enhance authenticity
Notable Quotes:
“Persistence and not giving up is everything. And I did give this book up twice.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [28:24]
“Be brave in your writing. Don’t be afraid of things. You think you can’t write subjects that you think you don't know enough about.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [28:24]
Future Projects and Film Adaptation
Claire reveals that "Broken Country" has been optioned for a film adaptation by a team partnered with Sony 3000 Pictures and Hello Sunshine, the production company behind The Crawdads. While details remain under wraps, she expresses excitement about seeing her characters brought to life on screen.
Additionally, Claire mentions a new writing project centered around a cliff-top hotel and a family, though she humorously notes a temporary loss of inspiration after interacting with a hospital psychiatrist.
Notable Quotes:
“It's a partnership between Sony 3000 Pictures and Hello Sunshine and it's in development.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [23:11]
“I feel like I've already watched the movie. Like, I feel it's all in my head.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [24:15]
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Concluding the episode, Claire offers heartfelt advice for writers aiming to pursue their passion:
- Persistence: Continue writing through challenges and multiple drafts.
- Bravery: Push beyond genre boundaries and explore unfamiliar themes.
- Research: Immerse yourself in the subject matter to enhance authenticity.
- Patience: Understand that exceptional work takes time and multiple revisions.
Notable Quote:
“Don't be afraid of things. You think you can't write subjects that you think you don't know enough about, you know, like farming even. Because actually, half the fun is the research.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [28:24]
Conclusion
Zibby Owens wraps up the episode by expressing her excitement for Claire Leslie Hall's future endeavors and the success of "Broken Country". Claire reciprocates the sentiment, highlighting the rewarding experience of sharing her work and connecting with readers through storytelling.
Notable Quote:
“I've loved chatting to you. Thank you for having me.”
— Claire Leslie Hall [30:08]
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a deep dive into Claire Leslie Hall's creative process, the intricate layers of "Broken Country", and the universal themes of love, loss, and resilience. Both aspiring and established authors will find Claire's insights invaluable, while listeners are left eagerly anticipating the film adaptation of her compelling novel.
For more information on Claire Leslie Hall and her works, visit zibbymedia.com and follow Zibby Owens on Instagram at @zibbyowens.