The Four Winds

A Novel

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

#1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

#1 WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

#1 INDIE BESTSELLER

"The Four Winds seems eerily prescient in 2021 . . . Its message is galvanizing and hopeful: We are a nation of scrappy survivors. We’ve been in dire straits before; we will be again. Hold your people close.”—The New York Times

"A spectacular tour de force that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women."—People

"Through one woman’s survival during the harsh and haunting Dust Bowl, master storyteller, Kristin Hannah, reminds us that the human heart and our Earth are as tough, yet as fragile, as a change in the wind." —Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing

From the number-one bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself, when millions were out of work and even the land seemed to have turned against them.

“My land tells its story if you listen. The story of our family.”

Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on the brink of a new and optimistic era. But for Elsa Wolcott, deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman’s only option, the future seems bleak. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows.

By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as crops fail and water dries up and the earth cracks open. Dust storms roll relentlessly across the plains. Everything on the Martinelli farm is dying, including Elsa’s tenuous marriage; each day is a desperate battle against nature and a fight to keep her children alive.

In this uncertain and perilous time, Elsa—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or leave it behind and go west, to California, in search of a better life for her family.

The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it—the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, 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.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 Kristin Hannah (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2021 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

2021 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, Long-listed

2021 Washington Post Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

2021 USA Today Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

2021 Read with Jenna, Long-listed

"With forceful narrative drive, Whelan delivers a compelling performance of Hannah's memorable new novel." —AudioFile Magazine

"Julia Whelan is herself a master storyteller because it’s absolute magic how she brings this novel to life for listeners. Her emotional rendering will bring tears and laughter and she portrays every character perfectly, men women and children...Have the tissues close when you put those earbuds in." —Reading Franzy

Should be called "The One Sad Really Long Wind"

I had to give it 4 stars because the writing is good and it kept me interested but my God, cut this woman a break. Just when you think nothing worse can happen to her, it does. I just wanted one nice thing to happen. The story was depressing from the moment it started til the last minute. The author says, "I guess that's my thing" but it would have been nice to have a few moments of lasting joy.

The Great Depression and Dust Bowls Ravage Texas

Kristin Hannah authors The Four Winds and writes the book I've waited a lifetime for.. and didn’t know it.

Bleak but ultimately hopeful

Kristin Hannah has done it again! Rich characters and a vivid depiction of the hardships during the dust bowl told from the perspective of a mother who would do anything for her children, and a daughter who learns what love is. There are so many trials and tribulations in this book, but there's always an undercurrent of hope and determination that keeps it afloat. Julia Whelan works her usual magic to bring these characters to life. A new favorite book for me!

Resiliency in the American Spirit

This book served as a reminder that there is resiliency in the American Spirit that is unlike any other country. Although it is set on a time period of 80 to 100 years ago, it addresses thoughts and ideals that are timeless an still ongoing in our world today. This book made me think, but it also made me feel.

Wow!

From beginning to end just incredible! Sometimes it reminds me of how history does repeat itself writher we like it or not.

Beautiful story that doesn’t disappoint

I loved this book. It hit me on so many levels. I just finished and it’s hard for me to put into words how much this book affected me. I will keep the lessons learned in my mind forever. The narrator is brilliant in this book. I could see a movie of this book in the future. Beautiful story of hardship, courage and a mother’s everlasting bond to her children. Best credit ever spent.

Special story

Hannah developed wonderful characters this was an exceptional story for our time, and I learned a lot. I am not a union man. But this certainly gave rise to consider the options people had in difficult times. In the narrator, did a absolutely wonderful job. Listen through the end. To the epilogue into the interview. Well worth it.

Wonderful!

Wow...what a treat to read a wonderful book about a piece of history that coincides with what’s happening today. I’m am so sad I finished this book. I’ll miss it. I loved the characters. Thank you Kristin Hannah for another great read!!! Great job!!!!!!

don't skip

could not put this down. story was sad and hard but so was this time in our countries history. definitely do not skip this one

great story

loved it.. you can feel this families love and pain..strong women in this story. must read