The Four Winds: A Novel

The Four Winds: A Novel

  • Downloads:4339
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-02-06 04:17:31
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Kristin Hannah
  • ISBN:9781250178602
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Notes From Your Bookseller

Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Kristin Hannah’s stunningly beautiful and heart-wrenching dustbowl drama traces the conflicts and challenges faced by Elsa and her family, who journey west in search of a better life。 Elsa's critical choices shape the lives of the people around her for generations to come。

The Today Show/Jenna's Book Club February Pick
One of "2021's Most Highly Anticipated New Books"—Newsweek
One of "27 of 2021's Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Novels That Will Sweep You Away"—Oprah Magazine
One of "The Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021"—Parade
One of the "Books Everyone Will Talk About in 2021"—PopSugar
One of "The 57 Most Anticipated Books Of 2021"—Elle
One of "32 Great Books To Start Off Your New Year"—Refinery29
One of "25 of the Best Books Arriving in 2021"—BookBub
One of "The 21 Best Books of 2021 for Working Moms"
—Working Mother
One of "The Most Anticipated Winter Books That Will Keep You Cozy All Season Long"
—Stylecaster
One of the "Most Anticipated Books of 2021"—Frolic

"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

"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。

Editor Reviews

★ 11/09/2020

Hannah (The Great Alone) brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice。 In 1934 Texas, after four years of drought, the Martinelli farm is no longer thriving, but Elsa is attached to the land and her in-laws, and she works tirelessly and cares for her children, 12-year-old Loreda and seven-year-old Anthony。 Her husband, Rafe, has become distant and something of a hard drinker, and after he abandons them, Elsa reluctantly leaves with her children for California with the promise of steady work。 Her dreams of a better future are interrupted by the discrimination they face in the unwelcoming town of Welty, where they are forced to live in a migrant camp and work for extremely low wages picking cotton。 When Elsa’s meager wages are further reduced and she has the opportunity to join striking workers, she must decide whether to face the dangers of standing up for herself and her fellow workers。 Hannah combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line (“Hope is a coin I carry: an American penny, given to me by a man I came to love”)。 In Elsa, a woman who fiercely defends her principles and those she loves, Hannah brilliantly revives the ghost of Tom Joad。 (Feb。)

Publishers Weekly

About the Author

KRISTIN HANNAH is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, including The Nightingale and The Great Alone。 A former lawyer turned writer, she lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest。

Download

Reviews

B&NLindsayB

Thank you, Kristin Hannah, for breaking me out of my reading funk! I was only halfway through The Four Winds and already recommending it to everyone I spoke to。 I am a big historical fiction fan – Kristin Hannah fan, too – and The Four Winds did not disappoint。 A rollercoaster of emotions, with character development and storyline so strong I felt like I was along for the ride and a story that is ultimately about hope。

Johanna Lingk

It's not fair that I compare this to both Nightingale and Great Alone, but it's what had happened。 As always, Kristin immerses you in the story and makes you feel like you're right in the thick of it。 I'm just not sure it was my favorite journey。 It's not fair that I compare this to both Nightingale and Great Alone, but it's what had happened。 As always, Kristin immerses you in the story and makes you feel like you're right in the thick of it。 I'm just not sure it was my favorite journey。 。。。more

Bethany

You guys。。。。 Kristin Hannah did it again! She wrote another 5 star novel。 I read all 450+ pages in less than 4 days。 Longer review to come。。。。

Rebecca Heneghan

I loved this so much! The strength and courage of this story is so needed during this pandemic。 Elsa and her family’s journey was filled with love despite any adversity they faced。 Kristin Hannah always has a way of making me care about her characters。 Sometimes I think that her books end too neatly, but this felt right to me。

Yvette

Kristin Hannah, how much do I lurve thee? Let me count the ways。I don't feel that I'm a great reviewer, so I'll just say this book made me feel things deeply。 I'll read anything she writes。 xoxo Kristin Hannah, how much do I lurve thee? Let me count the ways。I don't feel that I'm a great reviewer, so I'll just say this book made me feel things deeply。 I'll read anything she writes。 xoxo 。。。more

Sheila Barton

Wow This book will stay with me for a long time。 It was truly amazing! Such a heart wrenching story and a sad time in our history。

Heather Der Vartanian

I think my favorite book from this author yet。 Couldn’t put it down。

Emylee Cadiz

This book is incredible and based on true historical events。 I think it is an ode to motherhood。 Extremely impactful and oddly relevant with issues surrounding America today。 This book was a beautiful journey of love and self acceptance。

Sara R

A great read for cold weather days。 I read Grapes of Wrath a few years ago for the first time and couldn’t help but see the parallel story。 Her letter in the afterward really sets the book in context for “these times” and makes it particularly meaningful。 Well done!

Debbie Martin

How can I ever read another book after reading this one?! Ahh。。。as I’m so attached to this book, the characters and the story。。。it will take time before I move on to my next read。。。。💗

Judy

I generally like Hannah's books, and this one is well done。 But, in comparison to a book like Timothy Eagan's Worst Hard Time, it doesn't quite make the mark。 The best part is the relationship between Elsa and her daughter。 I am old enough that I have heard stories of the dust bowl from my relatives。 The horror and despair are real and Hannah describes them realistically。 I generally like Hannah's books, and this one is well done。 But, in comparison to a book like Timothy Eagan's Worst Hard Time, it doesn't quite make the mark。 The best part is the relationship between Elsa and her daughter。 I am old enough that I have heard stories of the dust bowl from my relatives。 The horror and despair are real and Hannah describes them realistically。 。。。more

Kristin

Kristin Hannah can have my money anyday, she writes it, I'll read it。 Kristin Hannah can have my money anyday, she writes it, I'll read it。 。。。more

Jessica Eisentrager

I never know if I should write my review when I set the book down and my emotions are flooding me or wait until I’ve really had time to mull it over? This book touched something deep in my soul, so here I am writing only a short hour after finishing。 I’ve recently lost my grandfather who was born in 1928。 So this book struck me hard, he would have been very close in age to Anthony or Ant and grew up the youngest of 10 children in Nebraska。 So this great loss and the current state of the world du I never know if I should write my review when I set the book down and my emotions are flooding me or wait until I’ve really had time to mull it over? This book touched something deep in my soul, so here I am writing only a short hour after finishing。 I’ve recently lost my grandfather who was born in 1928。 So this book struck me hard, he would have been very close in age to Anthony or Ant and grew up the youngest of 10 children in Nebraska。 So this great loss and the current state of the world during the cornea pandemic made this book extra emotional。 What can I say about, The Four Winds? People won’t like it because the book is sad, yes。 I love the Kristen never auger coats things for the reader。 I have found that so often in her books I start questioning things I’ve never pondered。 Of course her fact checking is always impeccable。 This book is a very accrue depiction of the Great Depression a time I think many of us can relate to more now then ever。 As a Californian all my life o have to say I cringed at the reality of the flight here, and the harsh realty that people weren’t treated well。 It definitely struck a chord。 As a mother I fell in love with Elsa, we all pray to have her strength when faced with hardship。 She is a true warrior who love for her children gives her limitless strength。 This book has left my mind reeling and wanting more。 It will pull the heart strings for sure。 Was it my favorite of Hannah’s? No。 I don’t think the harsh reality of this book will leave many feeling like it’s the top of their list。 The harsh reality of this time is part of the reason。 It’s definitely eye opening and worthy of being read。 People need to remover the hard time as well as the good。 It’s keeps us grounded and I’m thankful for the reminder from, The Four Winds。 。。。more

Nancy Lien

Loved the historical side of this book, the story was a little predictable but still enjoyable。 Makes me want to read more about the dust bowl and the Great Depression and how relevant the struggles can be in todays world。

Carole Sampson

Good, fast read

Jenny

History has shown us the strength and durability of the human spirit。 In the end, it is our idealism and our courage and our commitment to one another--what we have in common--that will save us。Another great read from Kristin Hannah。

Lauren Jarvis

We learn about the dust bowl in school。 And we gloss over how it effected families to move west and at the same time the depression set it。 However, we never hear about how they were treated, the inequity of labor vs wages for migrant workers that flooded into CA。 This is still something that exists in CA and other states today。 To be honest one of my favorite parts of the book was authors know it’s at the end where she talks about we have so many advancements in today’s world and yet here we ar We learn about the dust bowl in school。 And we gloss over how it effected families to move west and at the same time the depression set it。 However, we never hear about how they were treated, the inequity of labor vs wages for migrant workers that flooded into CA。 This is still something that exists in CA and other states today。 To be honest one of my favorite parts of the book was authors know it’s at the end where she talks about we have so many advancements in today’s world and yet here we are in 2020/21 and the issues that have been circling our country this last year were prevalent in our history generations ago。 May wecontinue to find solutions that fight for the rights of everybody no matter your color your race your economic status。 May we continue to work with world leaders and our nation leaders to create a system where justice and prosperity is equally distributed to all。 。。。more

Jennifer

This was such a very good audiobook。 It was so timely and relevant even for what we are going through as Americans today。 What hardships the nation faced in the dustbowl and great depression。 It forced many to choose to travel out west in hopes of a better life。 Unfortunately this was just not the case。In the book Elsa and her children are forced to leave the home and farmland that Elsa loves。 They head to California to make a new life。 What awaits them there is only more suffering and hardship。 This was such a very good audiobook。 It was so timely and relevant even for what we are going through as Americans today。 What hardships the nation faced in the dustbowl and great depression。 It forced many to choose to travel out west in hopes of a better life。 Unfortunately this was just not the case。In the book Elsa and her children are forced to leave the home and farmland that Elsa loves。 They head to California to make a new life。 What awaits them there is only more suffering and hardship。 They pick cotton and the farmers do not even pay them enough to survive。 They keep these immigrants down by giving them store credit they will never be able to pay back and therefore they never get ahead and are stuck working in very harsh conditions。 I loved Elsa's character so much。 Her resilient attitude to keep going for her kids was amazing。 I loved watching her relationship with her daughter, Lareda, which started out tumultuously, grow and turn into something beautiful。 It was a story of loss, love, hope and the strength to keep going。 。。。more

Manda

Made it to page 200'ish。 If there is no water or basic necessities, how the hell are they making arancini and homemade tomato sauce for dinner in the midst of the dust bowl? Long and drawn out - not impressed。 Made it to page 200'ish。 If there is no water or basic necessities, how the hell are they making arancini and homemade tomato sauce for dinner in the midst of the dust bowl? Long and drawn out - not impressed。 。。。more

Clarissa Carter

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Grab a box of tissue, you're going to need it。 From her 14th birthday on Elsa Martinelli (nee Wolcott) was invisible。 Until one night she wasn't。 Elsa was tired of being invisible and taken for granted。 Always the good girl, always the quiet one, always doing what she was told。 Dont make ripples, don't stand out, don't live。 Tony Martinelli saw her and changed both their lives forever。 Elsa has grit, determination, and love so fierce she is actually afraid of it。 In the end she finds her voice a Grab a box of tissue, you're going to need it。 From her 14th birthday on Elsa Martinelli (nee Wolcott) was invisible。 Until one night she wasn't。 Elsa was tired of being invisible and taken for granted。 Always the good girl, always the quiet one, always doing what she was told。 Dont make ripples, don't stand out, don't live。 Tony Martinelli saw her and changed both their lives forever。 Elsa has grit, determination, and love so fierce she is actually afraid of it。 In the end she finds her voice and her daughter learns how to use her wings。。 This is a deeply moving story and beautifully written。 First time I've ever read one of Kristin Hannah's books。 I don't know if I will read more of hers yet or not。 This one just tore me apart and I'm working on putting myself back together。 。。。more

Sharon

Not up to earlier worksAfter reading a number of Kristen’s books, I found this story to be contrived and pedestrian, superficial in the storyline and the exaggerated stereotyped characters that I didn’t want to finish reading。 Without the gratuitous sexual portions, this would be a nice book for adolescents (young adults) interested in a fictitious account of the depression era and the plight of migrant farm workers。

Heather Button

Depression。 That’s what I felt reading about Elsa’s life during the Great Depression。 Groundbreaking, right? I just couldn’t imagine how Elsa could keep going amidst the sadness that seemed to surround her everywhere she went。 My mama’s heart broke reading about her kids and them going to school, being branded dirty and disease ridden。 I can’t imagine dealing with that。 How heartbreaking it must have been for Elsa to see her baby come out of school with a black eye or to have left her daughter w Depression。 That’s what I felt reading about Elsa’s life during the Great Depression。 Groundbreaking, right? I just couldn’t imagine how Elsa could keep going amidst the sadness that seemed to surround her everywhere she went。 My mama’s heart broke reading about her kids and them going to school, being branded dirty and disease ridden。 I can’t imagine dealing with that。 How heartbreaking it must have been for Elsa to see her baby come out of school with a black eye or to have left her daughter when kids were so obviously making fun of her。 Throughout it all, she persevered and I think that’s what this book was about - perseverance。 People being displaced just trying to live。 People trying to go on for their families。 People trying to work。 Elsa lived her entire life trying to find her voice and amidst the hardest time in her life, she finally found it。 This book broke me。 It was heartbreaking and a realistic account of a mother’s love for her children, how she would do literally anything to protect her kids。 I connected with Elsa in that regard, that feeling。 This was beautifully written, as well everything Kristin Hannah writes is, and so moving。 I am done and I don’t know if I am going to be able to pick up a book and start again like I normally do。 There is a heaviness on my heart after finishing。 。。。more

Morgan Wicks

I don’t think I could ever give a book of Kristin Hannah’s any less than 5 stars。 Her writing is so smooth and always captures you in immediately。 She creates characters you quickly fall in love with。 That are likable and relatable。 This was an enjoyable read that I can’t wait to recommend!

Harris

I suspect I'll get some flak for this rating, but I felt like it didn't rise to the level of originality for Ms。 Hannah's two most recent books, The Nightingale and The Great Alone。 As we all know, in The Nightingale, Ms。 Hannah brought us the world of female resistance fighters during WW2。 Now I could be wrong, but it seemed like Ms。 Hannah broke ground with this theme and other writers soon followed in her footsteps when they saw how successful it proved to be。 With The Great Alone, she brough I suspect I'll get some flak for this rating, but I felt like it didn't rise to the level of originality for Ms。 Hannah's two most recent books, The Nightingale and The Great Alone。 As we all know, in The Nightingale, Ms。 Hannah brought us the world of female resistance fighters during WW2。 Now I could be wrong, but it seemed like Ms。 Hannah broke ground with this theme and other writers soon followed in her footsteps when they saw how successful it proved to be。 With The Great Alone, she brought us to Alaska and the difficulties experienced there which was unchartered territory for a female protagonist。My biggest problem is that the migration to California during the Depression and the Dust Bowl has been told before 。。。 The Grapes of Wrath (which I gave 3 stars so I couldn't justify a higher rating here)。 The Dust Bowl story has been told before 。。。 I Will Send Rain。 Women taking an active role in strikes and/or unionization has been told before 。。。 Deep River; The Women of Copper Country。 In total, although this book brought us another strong female protagonist it didn't live up to my expectations for a Ms。 Hannah novel。 。。。more

Kathleen

I love Kristine Hannah books but not this one。 It was depressing。 I didn’t enjoy reading it and was disappointed all around。

Nory Hayes

loved this book!

Paulette

Readers - prepare to be swept away with this novel that encompasses the American experience of the 1930s Dust Bowl and the desperate migration to California。 With unforgettable characters, author Kristin Hannah again captures the essence of this time in history with all its pain and drama, while offering hope and love that rises like the coming dawn。 Audiobook version with narrator Julia Whelan is also highly recommended!

Kari Friedauer

Just as good as The Nightingale and The Great Alone - the Great Depression and 2020 Pandemic have similarities for many。

Mike

Quick read。 Good reminder of of historical events。

Karen

4。2

Debra Billings

Flsa is a survivor。 Unloved and under appreciated by her family, she fills the void with a young man who does not love her。 They marry and she finds the family she longs for。 Many trails and hardships await her and in the end she does find her voice。