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

✫✫ 4.75 Stars ✫✫

This is a hard review to write because I loved so much about this book but it took awhile to get there. I was struggling in the first part of this book because it felt little one dimensional with characters development and relationships. I wasn't sure if I liked anyone. Then as things progressed and hardship set in the characters grew and became so much more. Elsa was a hard characters for me because she was so insecure about herself and sometimes felt almost emotionless but then when it came to her kids she found an inner strength that made her seem so strong and then she would go back to her insecurities which I imagine was the point, to show she never really lost her insecurities about herself no matter how strong she became. The story line was so filled with hardship and heartache that it reminds us how much people suffered. The ending and the epilogue was so hard to listen to but really brought the entire story and impact home for me.

I personally do not know anything about the Dust Bowl but after this book I have found myself researching to try to understand how this could have happened. This is my favorite thing about Historical Fiction and Kristin Hannah's books, I find I always learn so much about the past that seems forgotten when we should never forget. At the end of the audiobook there is an interview with Kristin & Julia Whelan that was very interesting. I loved hearing the process and how much the story changed from the original idea to a released book.

Julia Whelan is an incredible narrator. For me she can make me forget she is reading a book and instead I feel like I am there. She captures all of the emotions and characters so well.

Another Julia Whelan and Kristin Hannah masterpiece

Kristen Hannah can weave a story like few others, her deep character development, imagery of the land and the struggles they endure take us back to a time in history that seems so very relevant today. Elsa and Lorretta’s bond and love and struggle are that of every mother and daughter. Their hopes and dreams are that of every American. Taking you through the dusty Great Plains on to the dream of California you will feel their heartbreak, cry at their loss and carry their enduring hope with you. Julia’s narration is of course masterful and a true delight. A must read.

Captivating

I read the reviews and was prepared for a sad tough story. It wasn't as enjoyable as some but was captivating and eye opening to the world we live in. The saying about Money and Power shall not be overlooked.
Thank you

1/2 way thru I was so depressed I switched books

I'm probably just me, as this book gets rave reviews, and I only reviewed for 1/2 the book. As my puppy had died 2 weeks ago of a terrible dealth, it is fair to say I was very sad to begin with. About 1/4 way through the book, I started to feel more depressed. I gave it to the 1/2 way point and it only got worse. In the future I will try to finish it. I'm only writing this review for those who don't want to feel worse, who might already be feeling sad, this may not be the best book choice.

Overall it was worth the read

Found myself singing Woody Guthrie’s Pastures of Plenty wherever I listened. The description of life during the dustbowl was so vivid that one could almost taste the dust. The only fault I found was I thought that as the book went on the story became a little saccharine.

Really enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed this book. The story kept my interest and the descriptions of the dust storms and their effects were both heartbreaking and informative. The narration was excellent. Loved the book in many different ways.

A Must Read

I honestly didn’t know a thing about the Dust Bowl in the thirties. This story had me googling and researching during and after reading and listening to this book. What an eye-opening story recounting a devastating period in American history. Every book I read by Kristin Hannah gets better and better. Julia Whelan, as always, flawlessly narrates this beautiful story.

a fabulous story

Loved it...the history and reminder to stay strong in the worst of times! As good as Nightingale! couldn't put it down.

The most riveting, moving book I've "read" in yrs!

What a beautiful book! Riveting, moving, vivid as hell--every character beautifully drawn, every scene--both between people & between people and the land. No words adequate to describe.... In high school, I read John Steinbeck, including Grapes of Wrath. I was so changed by that book that I ended up traveling to California to work for the United Farmworkers Union after high school instead of going straight to college. THIS book, centered on the strength of women during the Great Depression, struggling to survive and thrive, standing and fighting for justice against incredible odds is MORE inspiring to me than Grapes of Wrath ever was! Wow! Perfect for these trying times. Shows the importance of our collective history in our lives--and that we do have the power to envision a different, better future. History does NOT have to repeat itself
And the narration is perfect, gorgeous, the best book I have experienced yet read aloud to me. Listened without putting it down from being to end. A must-listen!

Amazing story and fantastic narration

The developed love of Elsa and Rose is beautiful; this true love defines family. Sad to see in Elsa how unloved she felt most of her life. This story reminds us how ugly prejudice is. It also reminds us to be sure we are on the correct side of history and that we recognize wrong and greed; and to be brave like a mother’s love. I love that Faith was important to the family and that was their Hope. This book is based on real, dark American history - it’s hard to believe that this was America. Very emotional book from beginning to end.