The Four Winds

A Novel

De: Kristin Hannah

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

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

GREAT BOOK

held my attention all the way through, really enjoyed it. Would highly recommend this book

A book I could not put down

I listened to the audible book as I followed the print copy of the book. I could not have been more pleased. The narrater impressed me immensely! I will be listening to more books that she has narrated. I just knew this was going to be an exceptional story. The previous two books by Kristin Hannah have been in a league all their own. I absolutely loved Esla. Reading about her love for reading, having specific titles mentioned, and the books which she was not able to leave behind was an added extra for this book lover. Esla's relationship with her mother-in-law, Rose, touched my heart. She deserved this woman who was more of a real mother to Esla than her own mother. There was never a dull moment reading about Esla's children, Loreda and Ant. I can still hear all of these four favorite characters' voices in my head. The favorite male characters to me were Esla' grandfather and Jack. The most important part of this book to me was the bravery and courage of the females. The end was heart-wrenching, but at the same time so touching. There are some great lines throughout the book as well as quotes. I applaude this author for not bringing Rafe back into the story once he left. Thank you to Kristin Hannah for giving up the lawyer life. Thank you to both the author and narrater for the gift and talent you have for entertaining readers with printed words as well as acting words. This book is my favorite for 2021 so far. I know it will remain in the top three for the year. The author/narrater included with at the end of the narration was such a blessing to hear.

I wished for just a little happiness

but this book was very real and it was such an amazing reminder of what we have to be thankful for. Still, it was hard to listen to because of of the lack of any joy

Life!

I began this book because I've loved every K Hannah book I've read. I must tell you that this story had hardship and heartbreak from the earliest pages. About ⅓ way through book I read the reviews and (as always I started with the lowest ratings!) which caused me to almost stop the listening of the book. I certainly didn't want anything to try and sway me to believe communism is the way to go. I didn't want to read anything that portrays life and all experiences therein as being valuable only if such is referred into a happily ever after scenario. the criticisms definitely have me pause as to whether I our any more time into this novel. Also having read such gray black criticisms about the authors note and interview I almost returned it right then and there, demanding my credit back.

But onward I pushed. I'll read just a bit more I told myself...I can always stop and get back my credit.
So so so glad I kept going... till I eventually stopped everything I was doing in order to give full attention to every detail, every word coming into my ears and heart.

I won't give anything away, but I will tell you this... this book shares what many people have experienced. No matter what how many or what form hardship comes... financial, emotional, physical, mental... hardships are what refine and purify man's character. Mistakes made so not define any of us, but whether we choose to grow and learn from them; whether we choose to allow our experiences to shape a stronger brighter hope within our soul is what live is truly about.

Many critiques talked about this book being so sour and not of value in such a hard time of our world. I think those thoughts are borne of misunderstanding. Having personally endured varied tribulations, and watching as others undergo hard episodes, I see great value in finding light through the experience. Certainly the author touched heavily on the topic of communism. Though I do not know her or her views, my opinion is that to be historically valid, we must include the facts and they are. aone person or group of persons may hold to a belief that is disagreeable with ourself, and yet still we can find common values of decency and goodness between ourselves.

This book can evoke light to be infused to past experiences that seemed bleak. Words of encouragement are seen and felt through the struggles are placed herein... tendered by the encouragements of strangers as well as the well known companions of each life. I look back at my ancestors who lived in and through the great depression (remembering my mother having mustard on a slice of bread to feed her tiny children).... of the farmers who struggled through the dustbowl... of the immigrants who lived with constant prejudice.... and I'm grateful. Grateful to be the recipient of someone else's hard earned understanding.

It's a wonderful life enriching story.

Touching historical novel for our times

Reminiscent of social conscience authors, Hannah leads readers through the pain-filled lives of those who endured the tragedies of The Great Depression that dismantled the nation’s economy and the Dust Bowl that devastated the bread basket of the world and those farm families that paid the price. It’s a hard read especially the pages that describe the callous reactions of California policies and peoples. That part hits close to today’s headlines. But you will fall in love with the characters who lead us on this journey.