The Storm After

Winds of Change #1

by Gina Hooten Popp

A compelling historical fiction tale of four strangers who come together in the aftermath of the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900—the deadliest hurricane in US history. More than 6,000 people died that fateful day and the island was left a sea of brokenness. As the four diverse strangers cling to each other amidst the devastation in an attempt to survive, they change each other in ways they never would have imagined. It's more than a story about a tragic storm, it's about human spirit triumphing over unimaginable adversity.

Genres: Historical Fiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2013

About the author

A native Texan, Gina Hooten Popp was born in Greenville and now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. Along with writing novels, Gina has enjoyed a long career as a professional writer in advertising. Her debut novel THE STORM AFTER was a finalist in the 2014 RONE Awards, and her just-released book CHICO BOY: A NOVEL was a 2016 Medalist Winner in the New Apple Annual Book Awards. Recently, her novel LUCKY'S WAY, about a young fighter pilot from Houston, was endorsed by the United States World War One Centennial Commission. 

Reviews

[Cherei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up.. and started to read.. and before I knew it.. I was halfway through the book. It's one of those rare books that reads somewhat like a journal. In this case.. a journal of several characters. There's no guessing about what the various characters were thinking or doing.

The hurricane in Galveston in September of 1900.. was one of the worst natural disasters to occur in the United States. In the blink of an eye.. the nearly 50,000 citizens were cut off from the entire world. This is a story of how they coped.. what they saw.. and how they survived!

The author must have done some major researching prior to writing this delicious tale. Quite literally a seven course meal.. served upon a the finest of china! A true delight to any reader.

[Janie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having experienced a hurricane or two, the Galveston Hurricane in 1900,that left over 6000 people dead was a massive, destructive force of nature. This was quite a story,fast paced,action filled,and intense. Several characters in this story, come to know each other, though there are several surprises among them, as to who they really are. "Strange how adversity brings out people's best and worst", a quote from the book. This was fiction, based on true events.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the dark of the night, September 8, 1900, a terrible hurricane hit Galveston, TX, wiping out nearly all buildings and most of the people. As the sky lightened, survivors stumbled through debris and bodies, disoriented a few feet from their former homes because everything is wiped away. Although the stories about each individual survivor are fiction, it is based on facts of the time. The lives of the characters are woven beautifully around the agonies they must go through to carry on. This was a 10 out of 10 until the ending when it just quit. No real solutions or solid directions for the character. One gets the feeling they will flit from one thing to another. There are just implications of what might happen..or not. Temporary situations may have been better, but what about the next few weeks? It was like the first book of a trilogy; a tease to tune in next week, to be continued.

[A.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical fiction. I knew about the big hurricane in Galveston but seeing it through the eyes of survivors was a great way of bringing you into the aftermath of that big storm and pulling you into the story. Four survivors and the people around them tell the story of what it takes to rebuild not only a great city, but their lives. I did find the dead nun's narration a bit distracting and unnecessary,too. All in all it was well-written and incorporated historical fact in an interesting way.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I regret now that I never asked my grandmother what she remembered of the time of the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900. She and my grandfather would have been living with their three-year-old in Lavaca County, just inland from Galveston.

This historical fiction tells the stories of four people who banded together, becoming a sort of family, and adding others as most families will. They have disagreements but they care deeply for each other.

This is also the story of a city that will not be kept down.

[Vicki Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was amazing. I loved the characters. The only thing I would like to see improved is the ending. I may have solved that by buying the next book in the series.

Overall, you will enjoy the history as well as the characters, who are original as well as interesting. Enjoy! It is a great read.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent work of historical fiction, Popp shows both the storm and its aftermath in a way that sucks in the reader.

Read full review in the 2013 July/August double issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Marci Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and compelling story

Hard time imagine what the survivors had to endure after the devastating hurricane that wipe out Galveston, but THE STORM AFTER did a good job of telling the story of a few people. It's a good story and I did enjoy

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical novel with a faith perspective

A very interesting book. I could not have predicted what a page -Turner this would be. It spoke to my love of history as well as my faith in intriguing ways.

[Diana Suddreth · Rating 2 out of 5]

You'd think a book about something as exciting and historical as the Galveston Hurricane would be wonderful, and while the book was ok with some interesting plot development, overall, it fell a little flat. There was very little in the novel that was believable, from windfalls of cash, to finding a baby in the rafters, to tidy little resolutions. Furthermore, the timelines didn't really work out and jumped from days to months with no real explanation. Sean who is clearly a boy in the beginning, is suddenly nearly the age of John at the end when there was no significant passage of time. The method of story-telling through the characters talking about each other was rather annoying and the nun's little comments here and there did nothing to improve the story. About half way through, I had noticed enough poor grammar and spelling that I looked back to see who the publisher was...ah, self published. Gina Hooten Popp should have had a few more readers help her tidy things up. Finally, the ending was incredibly unsatisfying and random. I won't be reading any others in this series.

[Nae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any of us who live in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico would find this book fascinating. Recounting the story of survival after a catastrophic hurricane hit Galveston, literally wiping the entire city off the map back in the days without generators, power tools, backhoes, washers and dryers! If you thought the days after Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma were tough (speaking for myself close to 11 days with no power and a full month of no phone line) this book may just change your mind.

[sharon murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic story

Great historical story well written. I'm starting the second book in the series. Can't wait to see what happens in this book.

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean

I loved the characters and the description and responses to the hurricane. They were very realistic . Needed a bit more editing. Stilted.

[Ann Dake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK is how I would rate this book. Historical fiction about a hurricane in Galveston Texas in 1900. The book centers on a cast of characters who were mostly survivors of the hurricane. The writing was kind of elementary and the characters were all over the place. Oil was discovered in Houston at the end though so all was not lost.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the dark of the night, September 8, 1900, a terrible hurricane hit Galveston, TX, wiping out nearly all buildings and most of the people. As the sky lightened, survivors stumbled through debris and bodies, disoriented a few feet from their former homes because everything is wiped away. Although the stories about each individual survivor are fiction, it is based on facts of the time. The lives of the characters are woven beautifully around the agonies they must go through to carry on. This was a 10 out of 10 until the ending when it just quit. No real solutions or solid directions for the character. ONe get the feeling they will flit from one thing to another. There are just implications of what might happen..or not. Temporary situations may have been better, but what about the next few weeks? It was like the first book of a trilogy; a tease to tune in next week, to be continued. 8 out of 10. For more reviews: http://queenbeewritings.blogspot.com/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The end was a little unsatisfying - nothing was resolved. But on the other hand, I really wondered how the author could possibly resolve everything happily, so it's just as well she didn't. The characters were so human. The story was less about the Galveston Hurricane than it was about the characters. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about the aftermath of the hurricane through the eyes of the characters. Throughout the book, I could not predict what was going to happen next, and developments kept surprising me. I wouldn't mind a sequel, although I still don't know how the author could possibly resolve all the open ended issues. I borrowed this from the Kindle Lending Library, so it was a freebie, but a very, very excellent freebie.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. The story line focused on a select few people and how their lives intertwined immediately following the devastation of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. Running through the story were just enough historic threads to keep the story moving along smoothly but not too many to bore the reader. I found the transitions between characters nicely done and easy to follow. The ending was an unexpected surprise and left me wanting to keep reading the characters' story. I will recommend this book to family and friends.

[Bonnie Helm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic historical fiction book, well-written, and complex characters. Since I'm also from Texas, I hear about the Galveston Hurricane a lot, and it was interesting to read a story from the perspective of those who might have lived through it. It definitely changed my view on how difficult that would have been to live through!

[Cathy Carwile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!!

Having visited Galveston twice recently, I was intrigued by the story and the characters. Because the story was "told" by each of the main characters, I sometimes had to look back a few pages to remind myself of the perspective. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Judy Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storm & aftermath of the Hurricane that hit Galveston TX in Sept.1900. Story of how a small group who came to be friends and get their lives back to some sense of order among the devastation of what once was a great island.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a for real storm with totally believable characters and their struggles to rebuild home and family.... The story is good, in spite of a weak ending, but was often hard to follow with the jumping around from one character's first person account to another.

[Margie Cady]

Interesting read

I originally thought this story would focus on the storm and the people as a whole interesting that it was about a group of people whose lives became intertwined. Also, the nun provided spirituality and comfort even in death.

[Kristina Pullen]

Loved!!Loved!!! This book was my talked about book of the summer! Had me in it's grip from cover to cover.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this book!

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Worth reading!

[Linda Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I was interested in the description of the hurricane and how people survived and coped with the devastation. It was told in a different view

[P.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. Could not wait to get from one chapter to the next. I have read it more than once and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. I recommend it to one and all.

[Jeanne Manton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good YA history of the Galveston hurricane aftermath.

[Ajoyful1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because I enjoyed it so much

I gave 4 stars first because it could have been longer and had more explanation about some things. It also left me wanting to know more about the characters. But because I enjoyed it so much I gave 5. I fell in love with the main characters. I rooted for them all the way through. I lived their despair and triumph with them. That's the sign of a great storyteller to pull me in that way. Ill definitely read the next book. I hope though that it picks up where this one left off. This had the potential to be a saga. Recommend for a good reading getaway!

[Mary Alaga · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the weirdest book I have ever read. The characters had no depth. Their attitudes changed like well oiled weather vanes. A belief or a need that they had at one point, changed 190 degrees by the next paragraph. Everyone is connected to everyone else.
I get the feeling that the author just wrote whatever popped into her head at the time, and that there was no continuity or sense to it wasn't important.
It was like reading about an eight year old playing house with her dolls.
A total waste of time!