The Four Winds: A Novel

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! 👍🏻👍🏻

The Four Winds sweeps you into a storm of hardship and hope. Kristin Hannah’s meticulous research grounds the fictional Martinelli family so fully in Dust Bowl–era reality that you can almost taste the grit in the air. Every character—flawed, resilient, painfully human—mirrors some facet of ourselves, bridging the gulf between our own lives and the Great Depression. The result is a compulsively readable blend of history and heartache that both educates and exhilarates. By the final page, you’ll feel wiser, humbled, and breathless—proof that great storytelling can still teach even as it grips you by the collar.

I stayed up late many nights reading this. It was intense, informative and oh so sad. It took me back in time , made me angry and hopeless. In the end there were just tears. A true Kristin Hannah read.

This is a very good novel that was based on factual background in terms of the location and living conditions for “Okies” escaping the devastation and weather horrors that drove them to leave midwest farms and head to the “Land of Honey”, in California. Then they fall under the control of greedy farm owners who control them with money and lies. Very emotional and well-written.

I was almost scared to read this book as I k we it was not a happy topic, but it was beautifully written. Yes, a sad overtone throughout, but I couldn’t put it down, I wanted to know how they survived the struggle. Again, I feel like I learned a lot about the dust bowl era and how the people survived and struggled. Highly recommend this book

What does a person do when they live through the dust bowl, great depression, hardship, poverty and rejection? What a compelling story of resilience, grit, determination, family and a mother's love. It definitely had some unexpected events happen. I definitely cried at the end.

Very well written and a lot of it has stayed with me and made me grateful. I just hate to know people had to live this way. Probably my least favorite book of Kristin Hannah so far. But I won’t stop on this one. She is one of the best writers in my library.

A fascinating work of historical fiction about the Great Depression and those who fought to survive. Worth a read for sure!