The Four Winds
The Number One Bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club Pick
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4.4 • 194 Ratings
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
'A powerful, stirring, wind-swept tale set in Depression-era America that makes your heart break and soar in equal measure.' - Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library
The Four Winds, an instant New York Times number one 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 multi-million-copy bestselling author of The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah.
‘Powerful and compelling’ – Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing
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.
'A story of love, family, unbreakable bonds, bravery and hope. I loved this book so much!' - Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo
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What readers LOVE about The Four Winds:
‘Everyone should read this book. This is the new American classic’
‘It will break your heart and bring you to tears. It will also be one of the best books you read all year!’
‘This is historical fiction at its best: compelling, compassionate, enraging and courageous. I absolutely loved this book!’
‘Gripping and captivating . . . heartbreaking and inspiring’
‘We fall in love with a warrior who finds her power and strength, surrounded by love. Beautiful’
‘BRAVO to the author, this is her best work yet’
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hannah (The Great Alone) brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice. In 1934 Texas, after four years of drought, the Martinelli farm is no longer thriving, but Elsa is attached to the land and her in-laws, and she works tirelessly and cares for her children, 12-year-old Loreda and seven-year-old Anthony. Her husband, Rafe, has become distant and something of a hard drinker, and after he abandons them, Elsa reluctantly leaves with her children for California with the promise of steady work. Her dreams of a better future are interrupted by the discrimination they face in the unwelcoming town of Welty, where they are forced to live in a migrant camp and work for extremely low wages picking cotton. When Elsa's meager wages are further reduced and she has the opportunity to join striking workers, she must decide whether to face the dangers of standing up for herself and her fellow workers. Hannah combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line ("Hope is a coin I carry: an American penny, given to me by a man I came to love"). In Elsa, a woman who fiercely defends her principles and those she loves, Hannah brilliantly revives the ghost of Tom Joad.
Customer Reviews
Great story
I really enjoyed this book
My first from this author and I will definitely read more
Historical fiction, great storytelling
Classic Kristin Hannah, her unique style of storytelling, deep characterisation and themes of female strength and human spirit shine through. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that I found this one a bit too depressing at times. For me, it wasn’t as emotionally engaging as The Nightingale (but that’s hard to beat by any standards!)
Really gripping read with a message in it for all of us.
I found it hard to put down and it left me very emotional.