The Four Winds in Book of The Month

Mar 03, 2021 Trisha rated it really liked it

"Love is what remains when everything else is gone."

There are not enough books about the Dust Bowl. I know very little about this time in American history and it is something that I wish I knew more about. This story is about one such family, living on land in Texas when suddenly the rain and the water.....stop.

This is not a happy story. It's a brutal, realistic, heartfelt story about family and love and what makes us strong. It puts the human spirit and sheer willpower on beautiful cruel displ ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Jun 18, 2021 Christina, Join Me on Storygraph! rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021, books-i-recommend

"I sold my soul to the company store." This is a part of American history that is sometimes missed when we transition from early American history to modern, and is happening at the same time formerly enslaved people are also tied to land through sharecropping. I'm so glad KH wove it into this story of the Dust Bowl.

Elsa Martinelli is among a pantheon of tremendous women in literature. Her strength is remarkable and her love is enduring. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2021 Paula Hess rated it really liked it

Very good read about the depression and the devastating drought in 1934.

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2021 Amber rated it it was amazing

My favorite Kristin Hannah novel thus far! And my favorite read so far of 2021.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2021 Jeff rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Topics for discussion:

Elsa’s Character Development. From insecure family outcast to inspirational speaker, Elsa went on an emotional and powerful journey as a character. It was clear, to me at least, that Elsa suffered from a lack of confidence and was not as ugly or awkward as she believed she was. Her parents were selfish and did not want her leaving so they created this narrative of a spinster to trap Elsa in Texas. Her awakening that began with Rafe was solidified with her in-laws. In a bit ...more

Like · see review

Oct 02, 2022 Steph Connor rated it really liked it

This one is so hard to review. The main characters of Elsa and Loreda and the minor characters of Rose and Jean were so vividly drawn, demonstrating strength, bravery, and resilience in the face of such dire challenges. The novel had a strong sense of place, teaching me more about the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and migration to California than I have ever learned in school. I appreciated the dual perspectives from a mother and daughter and the emphasis on how these grueling times affected the ...more

Like · see review

Mar 08, 2021 Jenn rated it it was amazing

This is a story of grit and fortitude.

If you ever wondered what it was like to live in the depression, this is a great novel to read. I didn't live during that time and found it fascinating to read what it must've been like to endure all of the hardships this generation did. If you are looking for fluff, you might as well move on as this isn't that. This is a story about grit, hard work, and determination. It's an incredible and well-researched story that really thrusts the reader into this tum ...more

Like · see review

Apr 24, 2021 Stephanie rated it really liked it

I likely would have struggled reading this because although interesting, at time I felt like it was a bit slow. The audio version was fantastic and I’d highly recommend it. Historical fiction isn’t always my favorite but I do love that the story is told from the woman’s perspective and it is an important story to be told.

Like · see review