The Four Winds
Trigger warnings: racism, extreme poverty, murder
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A family saga about farmers during the Great Depression
Elsinore "Elsa" Martinelli has never been special. She's not pretty, or loved, or remarkable. She grows up in post-WWI Texas when wheat is sold at a high price and life is good for farmers. She is a dreamer, and her first contact with Rafe, the first man who looks at her twice, results in her pregnancy.
After her shotgun wedding into an Italian family, Elsa learns to be a farm wife instead of a rich farmer's daughter. Her appreciation for the Martinellis taking her in after being disowned by her own family drives her to become a hardworking farmer. She starts to love the land as her in-laws do, even though her husband seems more and more discontent. Their marriage is not a happy one, but Elsa finds comfort in her small children and her surrogate parents.
While the Great Depression takes its toll on America, the rains stop and the fields dry up. Loreda Martinelli is the result of Elsa's shotgun wedding, and Rafe's stories inspire her to become a dreamer like her young mother. Loreda wants nothing more than to leave agriculture behind, but Rafe tells her that Elsa and his parents will never leave the farm.
Dust storms plague the area. Leaflets begin to appear advertising California as "the land of milk and honey," and many farms in the area are abandoned or for sale. The family continues to struggle as crops and livestock die off. Elsa must make a hard decision -- do they stay and starve or leave for the unknown in California?
As events become increasingly dire, Elsa and Loreda are drawn into a fight for workers' unions led by the Communist party. They have trouble getting support from their fellow workers because striking is difficult for people who are starving.
Elsa's story of perseverance through hard times may be what the world needs right now. Those who are grappling with current events may take comfort in Elsa's struggle, but they could also be overwhelmed by the combination of the two. Unfortunately, the novel is rather plot-light so some readers may find themselves bored.
Julia Whelan's reading keeps the reader captivated, cementing her status as an award-winning audiobook narrator.
Recommended for fans of historical sagas and early twentieth century stories.
Kristin Hannah is the bestselling author of several novels including The Nightingale. She is a former lawyer and lives in the northwestern United States.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Running Time: 15 hours, 2 minutes
Length: 464 pages
Release Date: February 9, 2021
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I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a digital audio recording of this title from the publisher through Libro.fm, and this is the copy I used for this review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.