It’s been a little while since I’ve posted on the blog. I am hoping to catch up on reviews over the next few weeks. Today I’m sharing my review of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
Synopsis
Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance.
In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. 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.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
I have loved every single Kristin Hannah book I’ve read so I was very excited to pick up her latest.
Rating
4 Stars (Check out my rating system!)
My Thoughts
This book was very sad and depressing. You have to be in the right mindset before reading it. I think that even though there is so much sadness in this book there is a lot of love and hope. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their development throughout the story. There’s a few things within the plot that I didn’t love but overall I think this is a great historical fiction book. I hadn’t read any historical fiction books set in the great depression and the dust bowl so I am glad I pick this one up.
I saw many not so great reviews criticizing this book because it was so sad and “how could she release such a sad book in these hard times”. It makes me sad to see those reviews because if you know anything about publishing is that books are often written years before they are published. I don’t blame Kristin Hannah and the publisher for releasing it now. You get to choose what you read and when so if a sad book is too much for you right now then don’t read it. Common sense says that a book set in the great depression will definitely be sad.
I listened to the audiobook (another Julia Whelan amazing narration!) and I recommend that format. The audiobook also includes an interview with the author at the end that was really good. Don’t skip that if you listen to the audiobook. Overall, I don’t think this is the best Kristin Hannah book but I am glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Death, grief, addiction, violence, animal violence, miscarriage, alcoholism, racism, religious bigotry, body shaming
Who I Recommend this Book to
If you like historical fiction and want to read something other than WWII historical fiction pick this one up!
Get the Book!
Did this review of The Four Winds convince you to read it? Check out the links below to order it from Bookshop.org and libro.fm. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
If you’ve read this book let me know your thoughts in the comments!
