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The Four Winds

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The Four Winds

By: Kristin Hannah
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
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About this listen

The Four Winds, an instant New York Times bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, is a deeply moving story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the bestselling author of The Nightingale, 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.

©2021 Kristin Hannah (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International 20th Century Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction

Critic Reviews

‘Powerful and compelling’ - Delia Owens, author of Where The Crawdads Sing

'Kristin Hannah is a classic storyteller and The Four Winds sees her at the top of her game' - Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Libarary.

‘A rich, compelling novel of love, sacrifice and survival’ - Kate Morton

‘A masterclass’ - Karen Swan

What listeners LOVE about The Four Winds

'Gripping and captivating . . . heartbreaking and inspiring'
'We fall in love with a warrior who finds her power and strength, surrounded by love. Beautiful'
'BRAVO to the author, this is her best work yet'
'This is historical fiction at its best: compelling, compassionate, enraging and courageous. I absolutely loved this book!'
All stars
Most relevant  
I am quickly falling in love wtih Kristin Hannah's books. I normally listen to suspence novels but the characters in these novels are stunning. It totally immerses you into the story. In addition, I learn something about history that I didn't know. Definitely recommend!

Wonderful

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I loved this book and narration, couldn’t wait to get back to it. As a mother the endurance, perseverance and love is the strongest theme

All consuming, dust, hunger, frustration, hope

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Loved how well researched and written this book was, I couldn’t stop listening until the end.

Fantastic story

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The tough topics in this story are so well written that it’s hard to stop reading it. I found myself encouraging Elsa along.

Breathes life into a heartbreaking time in history

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I found it interesting to learn about this time in history, that I previously knew nothing about. The author paints a good picture in your mind. Loved the relationships throughout the story. I appreciate the ending for what it was, but wish it was different. Fantastic narrator, very well done.

Fascinating historical fiction

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Enjoyed the authenticity of the characters & settings. Historically accurate for the most part, with artistic license acknowledged. Nothing to dislike. Really enjoyed the story and the author/reader interview that followed was a bonus.

Excellent, recommend

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Kristin Hannah is a brilliant authoress and yet again The Four Winds was captivating. The hardship, the endurance of the human spirit, the brutality of the times and the overwhelming love of a Mother "warrior" who never gives up. Couldn't put this down yet again. I'm reading Kristin's books so fast it's concerning that I'll run out.

The Four Winds, Wow! Again!

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Such a great story. Gripping story had to keep listening at the end. A great Author

Intensive

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This story was everything! Beautifully written and narrated. I didn't want it to end. I learnt so much about this time in history.

Heartwrenching and beautiful

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I love this author and the narrator is next level excellent! What a hard going story- I felt I was living in a nightmare of terrible drought, dust and despair. I learned about the worst and the best in people in one of the most testing times of American history.
There were glimmers of hope and positivity and all in all I feel grateful of the life we now have.

Resilience in the midst of despair

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