If you were Beth, would you have chosen Frank or Gabriel? Why?
Well I would have chosen Frank! He saved her and they had a good life on the farm. Of course they struggled after Booby’s death, but all in all she was ok with being a farmer’s wife.
Frank was deeply committed to Beth. He was the “solid” in her life. I can’t see her as Gabriel’s partner in the social circles in which he lived.
The relationship Beth had with Gabriel was during her teens. We all evolve and change through our twenties. Frank fit Beth in so many ways; she was obviously very happy with him and the life they had built together. Gabriel brought back that “first love” before the heart-wrenching pain.
I think this is a tough one. Practicality would say to choose Frank and have a solid life. And Frank was a genuinely good person, solid and stable. Gabriel was that first love, exciting, secretive, and the one that I think she had to win. I don’t know though if she and Gabriel would have been able to last, especially with his mother and the social connections. So I don’t know - as an outsider I would say that she should choose Frank - but if I were Beth would it be heart or brain that would make the decision?
If it hadn’t been for Gabriel’s mother, I think Beth and Gabriel could have lasted. At least initially; there’s no guarantee in marriage. There would not have been any need for Frank to heroically marry Beth if Gabriel’s family had been supportive, allowing Gabriel to remain in college. Beth certainly would not be the only female from a “lesser” background to have married up financially. No need to cite well known current examples.
That’s a tough one, Beth and Gabriel had an intense connection that was easily reconnected even after so much time elapsed, they may have had a strong marriage if his family hadn’t intervened, but Beth and Frank appeared to be very happy and content until Bobby passed. I think the ending of the story is our answer!
I don’t think I’d be with either! Too much baggage with frank, particularly after the trial. And guilt over what frank did would make it hard to be with Gabriel.
I can understand the allure of Gabriel to a young woman. He was the first boy she was truly interested in. However, Frank was certainly the strongest of the two in his love for Beth- she just didn’t see it at the time. At 17 years of age decisions are often made that lack the experience and wisdom of age.
I’m not sure. Plus and minuses with both. I think I would seriously have considered walking away from both of them. Start new.
Frank was an honorable hard working farmer but Gabriel related more to Beth’s intellect and literacy ambitions and he was an undeniable soul mate.
I would have chosen Frank because he was kind and steady and stable and really loved me. When I grew up, I believe that I would have realized this. Physical attraction does matter, but it isn’t the only thing in a relationship. It’s a partnership and they never got past that stage in their young life or even when they got together for their affair later on. It was the need that Beth had to replace her son and Gabriel’s son filled her emotional need. If they had not been separated by school and an interfering mother and another woman, life may have turned out differently. Having sad all that, I think that Frank was the better man.
Michele, I was so glad to see another reader felt as I did when I finished the book. Both men had baggage. Frank good as he was, still served time in jail and that changes a man. As for Gabriel, if he never stood up for his relationship with Beth in prior situations, I would not see him changing in his older years.
If I was Beth, I would choose Frank because she knows they have a great relationship and they have weathered real life. I am not surprised by her being drawn to Gabriel. First love is hard to get over. But her experiences with Gabriel were of a younger girl and was limited to a summer of fun.
It’s easy to say who you’d pick when you’re young, in love, the hormones are flowing, and this is the first romantic attraction in your life. Gabriel is attractive and wealthy (wasn’t he?), so he definitely turned her head. But getting pregnant and having to listen to the hateful comments of Gabriel’s mother wasn’t something she was prepared for. Under the circumstance, I think Beth was lucky she found a man like Frank to care for her and the baby. Frank was a good, hard working man, and there’s something to be said for that. Plus I think they really loved each in a more mature way.
I’m pretty sure I would have chosen Frank. I’m sure she felt cheated on and it was ending. Frank gave her a fresh start. The problem first loves are always hard to get over.