The Four Winds

And she's done it again! Kristin Hannah has a way of taking me on a journey into the past and leaving me with feelings of shock, sadness, anger and more knowledge than I started with, but she's also a master at taking all of that and showing there are those who, with the courage, strength and resiliency to survive, can change their stories in history, even change history itself. Lift themselves up, carry on and show the strength of the pure human spirit when everything around them is in tatters. The Four Winds is not the book for you if you're looking for an easy read that you can just blow through (no pun intended) and say, "Yeah, that was great." No it's a real story of a horrible time in American history. I chose this one to read right away because it dealt with The Great Depression, it seemed especially relative to me right now. What I would call a timely book for these times. As we go through what's being labeled as the worst economic disaster since The Great Depression, I wanted to know what went on to the marginalized people of our nation in the 1930's. Historically it's the underserved, poor and devastated that suffer in times of crisis, we're seeing it happening again and I wonder will we ever learn? What's it going to take? When is enough enough? Elsa Martinelli hasn't had an easy life, her family shunned her, she just wasn't pretty enough to warrant attention from them. But it's her life after marriage that the book concentrates on. Elsa finds herself in a new town, living on a farm with her in-laws within the Great Plains of America, what will soon be called The Dust Bowl after years of drought and failing farms, hungry families, mountains of dust being blown and covering everything in it's wake and little hope for change. She's a farm girl now and calls the Plains her home, but after years of trying to live in a place where the dust is burying them more every year, crops will not grow without water and it's become dangerous for her to stay, Elsa decides to migrate West to California with her daughter and son. A feat that she never dreamed she'd be able to do. They suffer greatly trying to make it across the country in an old, broken down truck, just the three of them. I would think in the 1930's a woman alone, with only her two young children would have to have been the bravest of the brave, the determined few who would do anything to find the American dream! Once they reached the Golden State their hopes and dreams of a new home, friendly neighbors and jobs, soon becomes a real life disappointment. There are no jobs for the thousands and thousands who are like Elsa trying to escape their dire circumstances and continue with their hopes of the American dream. Soon they'll have to settle for a spot in one of the many immigrant tent cities, where Elsa is again challenged to provide for her children as best she can. She finds a job picking cotton, but then goes through the injustice of the greedy owner. Her soul is constantly being chipped away, but she persisted! The residents of California are nothing short of mean and nasty to these immigrants and won't even give them a chance. They are taunted with names, discriminated against at every turn, left to suffer on their own, but Elsa is not giving up. It's so important to her to teach her children what's important in life and try to keep them in school, education will further their dreams for a better future. This will not be an easy task for Elsa, but she's become a tougher than nails kinda gal and doesn't stop trying any more than she'd stop loving her children, After meeting up with an activist/communist who has a heart for the downtrodden and wants to help, she encounters the other side of greed. Someone finally understands the nightmare she and thousands of other families are living through. She's hesitant at first to get involved, after all he is a communist, and during the 30's that was not the label you wanted attached to your name. Elsa's daughter has grown up to be a smart, independent thinker with ideas of her own, I loved to read that teen girls in the 1930's were not that much different from the 1990's when I was going through the hell of a teenage daughter with a strong independent personality who thought she knew it all. Anyway, her daughter sees things as a simple right and wrong conversation, but the realities of surviving are left to her mom, the one whose been particular about how honest she is with her for fear of scaring the kids or allowing them to think they're less than. She's one heck of a mom in a time when trying to care for oneself is hard enough, but to raise strong, resilient children is almost impossible. This will be another book that doesn't leave me soon. Both my parents survived the Great Depression, but for personal reasons never talked much about it. Every once in a while when my dad would tell a story of his childhood I could detect from the settings he used that he was one of the very poor in the 1930's. Little food, torn and outgrown clothes, no jobs, no money and hardship at every turn, but then I listen to stories my mom told and she was of the upper class and didn't go through any of this. I've always wondered how can this be? They lived miles from one another as kids, both of their sets of parents were hard working and caring people, the difference was money. It angers me that those who have are always making the decisions for those who don't . Blame it on capitalism, racism, cronyism or any other ism you can think of, to me it all boils down to a lack of humanity towards your fellow man/woman. When does kindness, caring and assisting those less fortunate come into the conversation? Are we again going to argue over ism's and whose right or wrong, or are we going to say enough is enough and begin treating others like we'd like to be treated, you know the golden rule we all learned as kids! I love Kristin Hannah and the way she can take a story of horrible circumstances and people's struggles and turn them into a need to read novel. Her research is always impeccable and her characters are real people with real problems and desires. Their stories need to be told, even though these are fictional characters, there are millions of everyday people who can relate to Elsa's strength, determination and persistence in her quest to better themselves in a world that's never on their side. The everyman/woman we all want to see make it. Through Hannah's books we get the chance to go back in history, hear the stories and see the resiliency of the human spirit again and again. Some are saying this one is just too depressing, yes it is, but sometimes we need to be uncomfortable in our own skin to have our eyes opened. Maybe because this story is being retold all over the US right now. Greed over need, power over what's good and just. sound bytes over action. This is a timely read and one that needs to be told. I suggest also reading Hannah's acknowledgements in the back of the book, it gave me insight into how she decided to write this one, what her inspiration was and a bit about where she stands on this nation in pain. Yes folks she's done it to me again, I don't cry over books, but this really rocked me. The Four Winds will be blowing through my mind for some time to come. Happy Reading!

The Four Winds completely pulled me into the world of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. This is historical fiction at its best—the history never feels like a lesson because you’re experiencing it through people you’ve come to care about. There is hardship after hardship, yet the story never felt stagnant. It kept moving, and I kept wanting to know what would happen next. I especially appreciated that the novel doesn’t romanticize resilience; it shows the tremendous cost of surviving when the odds are stacked against you while still leaving room for courage, love, dignity, and hope. Beautiful, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and completely absorbing. An easy five stars and a book I won’t soon forget.

I just finished The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah*. It’s a well-written and emotionally powerful novel, but I’ll be honest—it was a difficult read for me. The depth of suffering experienced by the characters during the Texas drought and the Great Depression, followed by the harsh treatment of migrant workers by California cotton growers, was relentless at times. There were moments when I questioned whether I wanted to keep going. That said, I did finish it—and I’m ultimately glad I did. The story is impactful and thought-provoking, even if it’s heavy. It underscores a hard truth: greed and exploitation have deep roots in this country’s history. This is not an easy or uplifting read, but it is a meaningful one.

What a masterpiece! Kristin Hannah is, hands down, one of the most gifted and talented authors of our time. This is only my second novel by her, and it was phenomenal. In fact, I enjoyed it even more than The Nightingale. This is an incredibly engaging and emotionally powerful novel. Hannah’s writing is magnificent, and her storytelling ability is simply extraordinary. I could feel the characters’ pain, fear, hope, and determination as if I were living through their experiences alongside them. The story is heartbreaking, but it is also deeply inspiring. One of the things I loved most about this novel was the resilience and strength of the female characters. Elsa’s journey is unforgettable. Watching her fight for her children, endure unimaginable hardships, and refuse to give up despite every obstacle in her path was both moving and inspiring. Her courage and determination stayed with me long after I finished the book. I also absolutely loved Elsa’s teenage daughter, Loreda. She was my favorite character in the novel. Kristin Hannah did an incredible job developing her character and showing her growth throughout the story. Loreda’s passion, determination, and willingness to challenge the world around her made her both realistic and inspiring. I admired her ideas, her strong beliefs, and the way she viewed social justice and equality. While she often clashed with her mother, her character added depth and emotion to the story, and watching her mature and gain a deeper understanding of sacrifice and resilience was one of the most rewarding parts of the book. Kristin Hannah also does an exceptional job bringing history to life. The way she portrays the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the migrant experience felt incredibly realistic and immersive. I learned so much from this novel. There were many aspects of that period in American history that I had never heard about before, particularly the mistreatment and exploitation of migrant workers and the harsh conditions they endured simply trying to survive. This book is more than a novel. It is a history lesson. Hannah vividly captures what life was like during that era, from the devastating dust storms that destroyed farms and livelihoods to the labor strikes and workers’ fight for fair treatment. The descriptions were so detailed and realistic that I could practically see the clouds of dust, feel the desperation of the families, and understand the daily struggle for survival. The audiobook deserves special recognition as well. The narrator gave what may be the best audiobook performance I have ever heard. I was amazed by her talent. She didn’t simply read the story, she performed it! The way she created distinct voices for so many characters was remarkable. Every emotion, every conversation, and every scene felt authentic. Her narration elevated an already outstanding novel into an unforgettable listening experience. This book broke my heart, taught me history, inspired me, and kept me completely engaged from beginning to end. It is beautifully written, deeply moving, and impossible to forget. Without question, one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. A truly exceptional novel and an easy 5-star read!

Kristin Hannah is the best writer. I am hooked on her books. She has such a grasp of history. I can't imagine how much time she puts in to get everything so precise. Wonderful you can't stop reading once you start .

It's now 3:00AM and I'm sitting in my living room, and I'm so moved and ready to fight.. As we enter a new year with the same pandemic and political strife, so much of this book will open your eyes to the plight of those less fortunate trying to feed their families and make a living in dire times and trying to right wrongs. Sound familiar? It's Heartbreaking that we are fighting for the same BASIC human rights as we did 90+ YEARS AGO!!! The hardships faced by Elsa are simply relentless. Kristin Hannah wrote a visceral, richly detailed and atmospheric novel that will transport us back to the Dust Bowl and to the migrant settlements in California afterward, This is such a fascinating tale filled with captivating historical detail that gets glossed over in history books, Learning about the "company store" and how American citizens were forced to be basically slaves to these large farmers was eye-opening to me and I felt the desperation and hopelessness these people must have felt because they had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. By the end of this book, I cried, I raised my fist in the air.. and I also wondered Kristin Hannah has written so many great novels that one can only ponder if she can continue on the winning streak.. Her writing will break you, move you, and heal you -all at once and she offers no regrets only explanations of why, how, and when she decided to choose such subjects to tackle with the upmost of respect, dignity, and courage. Kristin Hannah began writing this novel over three years ago, before the pandemic, before the skyrocketing unemployment that would follow. And yet, this story is so relevant to our current days, the isolation, dwindling funds, people, as she says in her note at the end, frightened for their future, men in power shushing voices in order to further their own desires, wanting us to pay attention to what they say and not what they really mean or what they show by their actions. Or, as the Wizard of Oz said: ’Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.’

Im ultimately glad I read this bc the history is important. But the first part with pain and suffering is too much with too many hits and too long. And the rest of it is interesting but also overly melodramatic. So glad I know this but not my fave one of hers. 4 stars for the history. 3 stars for the beginning slog.

I write this review with the same heavy heart that I wrote for “The Nightingale.” Ms. Hannah has a gift that, in my opinion, VERY FEW authors possess; storytelling with off- the- chart passion, vision and heart. As with my last read I am compelled to state that readers will be transported into the story and literally become one with the environment, the people, and the adverse conditions they experience. The stellar writing makes it virtually impossible to distance oneself from the story at hand. The drought, the deprivation, the betrayal, tests the human spirit beyond comprehension. Elsa and her children, Loreda and “Ant” must make a difficult decision. I don’t want to offer any spoilers because I believe readers need to allow the story to unfold for themselves naturally as they read. I will say, however, this story epitomizes the bond between mother/child that is cemented at birth and is life long. It is also a true self discovery novel for the main character, Elsa. Her mother in law, Rose, is an amazing woman and so insightful. One of my favorite passages is this one shared at the birth of Loreda…. “Believe me Elsa, this girl will love you as no one ever has… and make you crazy and try your soul, often all at the same time.” Elsa and Loreda’s relationship is similar to many mother/daughter relationships in life. But… LOVE endures despite the volatility. THAT is the definition of motherhood. “” Elsa: “You taught me love. You, first in the whole world, and my love for you will outlive me.” I STRONGLY recommend this book. I’m convinced it will enlighten you as it has me about a time and place in our country’s history known as the Dust Bowl in the central plains, the severe drought and The Great Depression. It helped me understand the plight of proud, hardworking families forced to migrate to the West for a perceived better life and the fight for a fair wage and living conditions. You go, Jack Valen! It is not a light read for the purpose of entertaining only. This story will touch you, soul deep. As with The Nightingale, I will never forget the story and its relevance in modern times too. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟…..♾️! The Audible narration is superb! 👍🏻👍🏻

Amazing story and beautifully written. The only thing i could criticise a bit would be the ending,it felt a bit forced and unrealistic, but overall i highly recommend.

No puedo creer que me salga mas barato un libro importado! y en inglés!!!

Elsa is a young woman growing up in Texas in a well-to-do but emotionally distant family. Frail after a childhood bout of rheumatic fever, she feels unloved and unwanted, convinced she is plain and undesirable. At 25, still unmarried unlike her sisters, Elsa longs for a different life. When she meets Rafe Martinelli, a charming young man from a working-class background, she falls in love. But when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, her parents disown her. Forced to leave her privileged life behind, Elsa moves in with Rafe’s family on their farm. Life there is tough and unrelenting, but she adapts and builds a life with Rafe, raising two children, Loreda and Ant. As the Great Depression sets in and a devastating drought destroys their land, Elsa is faced with an impossible choice: stay and endure, or flee west to California in search of a better future for her children. What follows is a gripping portrayal of Elsa’s journey as she faces poverty, discrimination, and brutal working conditions in California. Yet through every hardship, her love for her children give her strength. The Texan dust storms, once unbearable, almost seem gentler than the cruelty she encounters in the so-called land of opportunity. The Four Winds is a powerful story of maternal love, female resilience, friendship, and sacrifice. It also makes us see the inequality, work exploitation, and the myth of the American Dream, asking whether it is truly attainable for all, or just for a privileged few. Elsa is a deeply developed and compelling protagonist. However, some of the secondary characters, particularly Rafe, could have been more developed. That said, the emotional impact and historical richness of the novel more than make up for this. A thoroughly moving and unforgettable read, both heartbreaking and inspiring.

I gave this novel a try after all the positive accolades. I wasn’t expecting much, but was hoping it would be better than the Nightgale, which was a generous 4/5 for me. This met and exceeded my expectations. It’s much better written, very gripping, with flawed characters that you want to root for. There is so much history and I loved learning what I wasn’t taught in school. The daily hardships of life at that time and in that region were brought to life in such a moving way. The struggles of a single mother were so eloquently developed and described. The dialogues felt real and human. This kind of book makes you appreciate life in the 21st century, and be grateful for all the things we take for granted. To those giving this book a low rating because of the ending: 1) grow up; 2) perhaps you should stick to the Hallmark channel; 3) what better ending than your child achieving what you wished them to be when they were born? You won’t regret reading this one.

I like reading social history in fictional versions. This novel is an amazing coverage of USA in the dustbowl era. Drought drove thousands from their homes as they tried to get to California for jobs. This story centres on a family from Texas. The Depression hit hard as farms no longer produced any food. A young woman with two children goes to California, only to find jobs are not as easy to find as promised. The story highlights the conflict between Union organisers and the owners of big farms. Wages were barely covering living costs. Attitudes towards the new workers rings scarily true of the current attitudes.