#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER#1 WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER#1 INDIE BESTSELLER”The Four Winds seems eerily prescient in 2021 . . . Its message is galvanizing and hopeful: We are a nation of scrappy survivors. We’ve been in dire straits before; we will be again. Hold your people close.”—The New York Times“A spectacular tour de force that shines a spotlight on the … close.”—The New York Times
“A spectacular tour de force that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women.”—People
“Through one woman’s survival during the harsh and haunting Dust Bowl, master storyteller, Kristin Hannah, reminds us that the human heart and our Earth are as tough, yet as fragile, as a change in the wind.” —Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing
From the number-one bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself, when millions were out of work and even the land seemed to have turned against them.
“My land tells its story if you listen. The story of our family.”
Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on the brink of a new and optimistic era. But for Elsa Wolcott, deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman’s only option, the future seems bleak. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows.
By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as crops fail and water dries up and the earth cracks open. Dust storms roll relentlessly across the plains. Everything on the Martinelli farm is dying, including Elsa’s tenuous marriage; each day is a desperate battle against nature and a fight to keep her children alive.
In this uncertain and perilous time, Elsa—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or leave it behind and go west, to California, in search of a better life for her family.
The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it—the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.
more
I’m confident that this will be the best book I read this year. Although about the 1930s, this book is important in the here and now because it allows us to see current events played out separate from ourselves. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
So many feelings in this book and about this book. I think I’m a little shell-shocked after the ending and the culmination of everything in the book. I’m feeling a little angry towards the author, kind of like I feel towards Veronica Roth (iykyk). I get it, but she just came into her own. Let her have some time to enjoy it.
It was a great book and I mean really great. I’ve now read three of Kristin Hannah’s books – The Nightingale – Winter Garden – and now The Four Winds. They were all excellent and if you read them you’ll be damned glad you did.
I’m a Kristen Hannah fan, and I’ve read all of her books. I definitely won’t be putting this book into my ‘favourite’ list, though I did enjoy the story and the history within it. As with all of her books, the characters were believable and likable, and I read the whole book willing for things to turn out well for them. Unfortunately, these poor characters veer from one disaster to another. I won’t say any more than that for fear of writing spoilers, but I’ll just say that if you’re already feeling down, this probably isn’t the book for you.
I’m a Kristen Hannah fan, and I’ve read all of her books. I definitely won’t be putting this book into my ‘favourite’ list, though I did enjoy the story and the history within it. As with all of her books, the characters were believable and likable, and I read the whole book willing for things to turn out well for them. Unfortunately, these poor characters veer from one disaster to another. I won’t say any more than that for fear of writing spoilers, but I’ll just say that if you’re already feeling down, this probably isn’t the book for you.
I believe that for the rest of her life Kristin Hannah’s books will be judged on how they compare to “The Nightingale.” I could be wrong – maybe it’s only me who will do that. “Nightingale” is a very high “5” to me. This book was quite good, but a “4.” The actions and characters were amazing but they just didn’t suck me in as much.
This book was a disappointment.
There were two gross sex scenes before I had time to even bond with the main character. The author has a character use the Lord’s name in vain about 20% through the novel (and then it occurs again and again throughout).
Much of the story appears to take place during the depression, and the author gives great detail about the effects of the depression on the animal life. It’s difficult to read, and not something I would’ve chosen on my own. If I hadn’t been reading this book for a book club, I would’ve stopped before I was 3% into it.
The author also uses her work to make a left-leaning political statement glorifying socialism/communism. I won’t be reading anything else by Kristin Hannah.
Don’t waste your time.
Kristin Hannah has done it again. This book was sooo good! It opened my eyes to things that I wasn’t aware of during the depression . What this family went through was heartbreaking and everything they did to survive.
“ It wasn’t the fear that mattered in life it was the choices you made when you were afraid.”
family swept up Grapes of Wrath style. Inspiring but sad
I thought this book was one of the best I read this year. Great characters and storyline. I learned a lot about the Dust Bowl and it’s drastic effects on so many. I would highly recommend this book.
I have enjoyed everything else Kristin Hannah has written, but I had difficulty with this book.
Excellent read. It’s has lifes stories throughout the book of years gone by. The successes and struggles , determination of keep going no matter what you come up against. It is about true love and hatred , evil & compassion. The strength and weakness of all. Not wanting to do something ; you do it to survive and to get to a better place. In the hopes that changes will be made and better life will be had. It the stories of yesterdays , the now and the future!
Relentlessly depressing
Although I love everything from the author, I would not recommend this. It was waste or my time and money. Very disappointed.
A saga in the pattern of Grapes of Wrath, Hannah opens a door to what California dreaming represented for desperate souls escaping desperation created by the Dust storms and the Depression. She also touched on the revulsion established farmers felt towards “Okies” who wanted a place among them. A page turner for sure!
This book is beautifully written. Truly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it. I’ll be reading more of the author’s books!
Loved it!!!
Kristin Hannah’s books are always well researched and well written. Her character development is excellent and you relate to the characters.
Very good read but depressing
I learned so much about a part of our American history that I wasn’t all that familiar with. Great characters and story. I have recommended this to many friends.