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The Four Winds cover art

The Four Winds

By: Kristin Hannah
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
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Publisher's Summary

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 Audio

Critic Reviews

"Powerful and compelling." (Delia Owens, number one international best-selling author of Where the Crawdads Sing)

"A rich, compelling novel of love, sacrifice and survival." (Kate Morton)

"A masterclass." (Karen Swan)

What listeners say about The Four Winds

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Spell bound

Compelling and so extremely relevant.
A poignant reminder for us all
to check our privilege but also to wonder, just how far have we come in the last 100 years or thereabouts!?!!!

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5 people found this helpful

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Wonderful story

I can across this book as Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators. This book was wonderful, moving me to tears more than once.

Would highly recommend.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

so good

the best love story! just give it a go. all the feels. excellent narration. fascinating insight into a period of history.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An amazing book

Hannah’s narrative is an insightful journey with inspiring, real characters whose lives tell the story about a shameful period in American history. I couldn’t wait to get back to it all the way to the end.

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A hard read

I found this book extremely tough going. Yes, it was beautifully written and the narrator was excellent but the story was unrelentingly depressing. Chapter after chapter I ached for a wee bit of optimism but none was forthcoming. I understand the times were extremely tough but a book with what appeared to be no light was hard to read. I had to skip a few chapters as it was more of the same. Not a book to read if you are wanting something hopeful.

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  • Overall
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Fantastic story telling

Absolutely loved this book. Thankyou for transporting me to the dust bowl and a single Mums journey of survival.

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unforgetable

The story and the characters will stay with me forever. Story telling at its best. And the narration was amazing. Will make a great TV series.

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Life changing

A story so powerful and still so relevant about the human spirit, resilience and hardships.
This book should be taught in High School.

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  • Overall
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A good listen but quite a depressing story

I just felt so sad listening to it. It was well written and characters well developed.

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The Great American Depression Revisited

Great character depiction, well researched historically and great plot! There is a dark thread of hopelessness and helplessness in the main character of the story. Yet, she eventually decides to try to break out of the prison of her family's expectations.

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