I really enjoy Hannah’s writing. I can tell she did a lot of extensive research on this one. At times it was hard to read because of the subject matter but I’m glad I stuck with it.

This is one of my top 5 all time favorite books. I did end up listening to this book on audio along with reading it - which I loved!

I also have never read a book during the dust bowl so it was a different read for me. But overall I really loved this book. I recommend it to anyone I can!

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a stunning masterpiece that takes you on a journey through the harsh realities of life in Texas during the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the dust bowl, and the burning winds that destroyed everything in their path, this novel tells the story of Elsa Martinelli, an unremarkable woman who becomes a warrior in the face of adversity. The hardship, poverty, and prejudice that these poor farmers face are heart-wrenching to witness, but the message that love for one's family can survive everything shines through. The Four Winds is not an easy read, but it is an epic one that is beautifully written and will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Fans of Hannah's previous work like The Nightingale will likely enjoy this one just as much.

Elsa longs to be independent, to prove that she is stronger than her parents think, to live her life. Once she is out, married with children, drought hits – The Great Depression, the Dust Bowl. Now, she needs strength more than ever. Can she do what needs to be done to save her children, to save herself?

This story follows Elsa from her parents’ home to her husband’s and on to California, as she searches for a better life, or any life for her children. The first half to two-thirds of this move very slowly with much repetition, though it does include interesting historical details and situations. The final third is interesting, touching, and moves at a better pace.

I enjoyed this plot-driven book and the history was well researched. I would love to see another book like this that focuses on Mexican migrant workers. There was growth in the characters, even the ones I didn't like at the beginning. The ending was unexpected!

I started this over a year ago but the doom and gloom was SO depressing (and not in the ‘good’ way with books, if that makes sense) that I just could not force myself to finish it. I finally picked it back up just to get it off my list, but this time as an audiobook, and that actually made it a lot better. Whelan is one of my favorite narrators. However this is still my least favorite Kristin Hannah novel.

This historical novel offers a personalized view of the disastrous consequences of the Dust Bowl years. A personalized telling helps students understand the effects that events had on individuals at the time. Recommend!

This is a must read. I'm a Kristin Hannah loyalist, i haven't read a book of hers I did not enjoy, and as usual, this delivered. Her ability to tell these complex stories while weaving in history makes her a master at her craft. I always walk away learning something.. This book takes place during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, a period of time I didn't know much about.

I loved Elsa and thought she was a strong woman, mother, friend and warrior. Reading her story really had me reflect on how we treat each other.

As usual, Kristin Hannah delivers a beautiful yet heart wrenching story. I highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. Such a heart breaking story even though I really enjoyed it. I had not really given this time period much thought before and didn’t realize just how brutal it was. Although I was hoping for a more happy ending I am over all glad that I read this.

Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. I have always been interested in the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Hannah's historical, nuanced world-building did not disappoint. This book stuck with me long after I finished. What a beautifully written, gritty tale for all history buffs to read!

This book was my favorite of Kristin Hannah's - the setting is one that I always go for and the language is beautiful. I added it to my classroom library.

Loved this book, seemed different than what I normally read from this author, but I love anything historical fiction. I wish the husband/father showed back up in the book, but I also would love to see a sequel where we see the next generation.

One of my favorite authors and a new favorite book. I was drawn to tears several times reading this novel. This was a part of our history that I knew little about.

Heart wrenching story that will resonate with mothers from anywhere and at any time. We face similar hardships in America today, but do we recognize the similarities that are so deftly illustrated by this plot? Well written female protagonist in a tale that could easily transfer to life today. Our challenges may appear different but rely on the same grit so eloquently portrayed by the author.

Gosh, I'm so torn by this book. Was it well written? Absolutely. Could I not put this book down? No, I read almost the entire book in one day. Was the subject interesting? Yes. Did I like it? I don't know, maybe?

This book follows Elsa in Texas in 1921. She is born to a family that just doesn't love her. Elsa dreams of adventures, love and just something more. When she meets Raffaellino, she is swept up in the romance of their secret love affair. When she falls pregnant, Elsa's family kicks her out of the family and shuns her for life. Elsa moves into Raff's families wheat farm and learns the ropes of how hard farming life is.

Fast forward to 1934, the climate is changing and the farms is dying and turning to dust. Millions are struggling to keep their families alive during this time.

**Continue reading for a spoiler filled review**
This book was just never ending sorrow, first with Elsa's family basically hating her, that was horrible to read about such hate among the people that are supposed to love you. Then she gets kicked out of the house since she is pregnant to go into Raff's family who finally give her the love and acceptance that every human needs only to be abandoned by her husband. THEN her daughter blames Elsa for her father leaving which is heartbreaking to read. Then the year after year of drought and the suffering the people had to endure. The illness that her son, Ant had to do endure was scary and heart wrenching, an illness that almost killed him. Elsa and her children stayed on the farm until the last possible second only to have to make the choice to leave the farm to go on a horrendous trip to California only to suffer on the road by strangers trying to take advantage of them. Then they finally arrive in California, thinking that this will finally give them a break. NOPE. They aren't welcomed by anyone and have to live on the side of the road in a tent camp only to suffer disease and poverty. Elsa's best friend in the camp, Jane, had a baby and it was born still born. Then the tent camp got flooded and they lost everything! Are you sick of the heartache yet? Yup, this is what I mean!! It's never ending.....you keep reading because the book is so well written and it holds your attention...don't keep reading if you want to actually read this book because I'm about to ruin the ending......

THEN, finally after the flood, they finally get solid work and a cabin that has electricity and mattress only to end up in a war with the crop owners and the up and coming unionizers who are trying to fight for fair wages, only to have Elsa shot and killed. I just don't understand the point of all this heartbreak in a story. I felt saddened and heartbroken after reading it. I guess I want my stories to have a good ending. The only good thing is that Elsa's daughter and son got to go back to Texas after she was killed (because where else would they go). I think I would have liked this book more if Kristin Hannah would have continued with the daughter's story and had some kind of redemption at the end. The way that it ended was just overall sad and I didn't like it.

Another solid read by Kristin Hannah. She is my favorite go-to author for moving stories with excellent characters.

I was hesitant to read this book amid a pandemic. There aren't many exceptionally exciting or uplifting things about the Dust Bowl and I delayed my reading because I wasn't sure if the weight would be too much to carry. I should have trusted Hannah to tell a story that is interesting amid hardship, that invites readers to root in a way we thought we'd lost the ability to do. Lots of people are talking about it and for good reason.

Although a fictional story with fictional characters, the desperate times in America in the late 1920's and early 1930's is are true, yet dark time. Elsa Martinelli is faced with major changes in her young adult life, forced to make decisions that will affect her future and her family's future.
This is a story of hardship, grief, desperation, greed, love and hope. It is poignant and riveting as the author guides the narrative through the phases of Elsa's life. Hardship becomes all Elsa knows and she's powerless to do anything about it except to exist for the sake of existing.
For me, this is a four of five star rating. The author gently reminds us of how women's roles are perceived and how women are frequently devalued, yet one instance comes to mind when Elsa is threatened during their journey and Loreda enters the scene with a shotgun. While the constant threat of that type of situation remains during their journey and living in a squatters camp, that aspect felt very glazed over. Safety was paramount during that time and there wasn't any security.
Overall, a heart-wrenching historical fiction story that will evoke many emotions from the readers.

It wouldn't be a Kristin Hannah book if she didn't try to make you cry. After loving The Great Alone, I was eager to pick this one up, and although I didn't love it as much, I really enjoyed it. Elsa is considered too old to marry, but she changes her fate when she meets Rafe Martinelli. Living in Texas, things aer looking up, until the Dust Bowl sets in. Dramatic and harsh, Hannah tugs at the heart strings with this one. If you're a fan of Hannah's previous work, this one is not to be missed.

I love Kristin Hannah's books but one thing they certainly are not is feel good. The Four Winds was one depressing moment after another - perhaps more so than any of her other books. She is such a talented writer that it is still enjoyable to read her work, but I wish this one wasn't quite so down.