#BookReview: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review for you an author I admire, Kristin Hannah. I discovered this book via NetGalley and received a free ARC of this book. I enjoyed this read as much as I’ve enjoyed other works by this writer. And she’s definitely an author to check out.

About the Book:

The Four Winds is a deeply moving, powerful story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the multi-million copy number one bestselling author Kristin Hannah.

She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times . . .

Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she’d yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa’s world is shattered to the winds.

Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess?

From the overriding love of a mother for her child, the value of female friendship, and the ability to love again – against all odds, Elsa’s incredible journey is a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love.

My Review:

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a free Advanced Review Copy of this book.

I’ve read books by Kristin Hannah in the past, and she is a writer who never disappoints. This book is so powerful that I’m still choking on the dust. The narrative was that realistic. The world building and character development were done wonderfully.

As you can imagine, with this book being set from the 1930s onward in the Texas Dustbowl and through the Great Depression, this is no easy read. It’s heart-wrenching, but in a good way. The courage, love, and hope shown are uplifting even while the events were so horrific for so many families. For sure, the author highlights both the exceptional cruelty and prejudice as well as the unprecedented compassion and generosity of strangers. And the bravery.

The main character, Elsa, is feminism personified. And in the midst of betrayal and anger and prejudice, she shows such strength of character, stamina, and love. As well as her bravery and steadfastness, she is also celver and patient. The character arc is excellent. And we live Elsa’s journey right by her side as she finds her way from the depths of despair and zero self-esteem to finding and owning who she is at heart.

A couple of lines especially struck me:

‘There was pain that came with constant disapproval; a sense of having lost something unnamed, unknown.’

and

‘You know the thing about history, Elsa? It’s over. Already dead and gone.’

Much love and research has gone into this novel, and in the current times of hardship from a global pandemic, many of us can relate to the loss and pain written with such care within these pages.

I heartily recommend both The Four Winds and the author Kristin Hannah. I give this book a solid 5 stars.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

12 Comments on “#BookReview: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

  1. I am very drawn to stories that come of the Depression era. This book is one that I will most definitely read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Harmony!

  2. Kristin Hannah is an author I hadn’t come across, but I do enjoy historical fiction when it’s brought alive so well. Thank you for the recommendation, Harmony.

  3. That would definitely be hard times to live through, the dustbowl and depression and have your husband abandon you. Sounds like a fantastic historical fiction, Harmony.

  4. Thank you, Harmony, for sharing your review of Kristin Hannah’s latest book. It captured my attention right away when you mentioned the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. I grew up hearing stories of both, as my dad lived through them. I’m going to check this book out! All the best to Kristin and thank you again, Harmony. 💜

    • I think this book will move you, Gwen. A terrible time but retold so briliantly in this book.🙂❤️