Helpful Score: 3
I was simply swept away by Kristin Hannah's powerful story of the Dust Bowl and the Martinelli's migration from Texas to California. The characters are beautifully written. As they work through their difficulties, there is no doubt in your mind that the characters stay true to themselves. During this heartbreaking time in America's history, it was extremely challenging just to survive. After the dust storms nearly destroy the family farm, Elsa's husband leaves her and when their youngest child develops poor health, Elsa decides that she must be brave, pack up the car and drive to California. She doesn't know what she will find there but believes that it must be a better situation than her current one. When she arrives in California, Elsa joins the masses of migrants called Okies who pick cotton to try to feed their families on an incredibly low wage. She is a strong, independent woman who works hard to take care of her two children and another migrant family with six children that she befriends. This is a classic story that will stay with you long past the closing of the book.
Helpful Score: 3
Another amazing book by the wonderful Kristin Hannah! This book took you into the life of a woman who was deserted by her family as a young girl,and then by her husband.Left to survive with two children in the dustbowl that was Texas in the 1930's. She was a true survivor in the days where people thought men were the ones who had to work hard to live when there was nothing to live on. Just an incredible book!!
Helpful Score: 2
Texas, 1934. I found this book slow in the beginning but picked up soon after. Loved the history of the dust bowl days and the Great Depression. A very heartbreaking story. Although this book was written well, I think I enjoyed all her other books more. I just could not connect with the characters. If you have never read Hannah's books, don't start with this one.
Elsa Wolcott grew up believing that she would never marry. She had been sick as a young child and was always treated as being sickly. She was a quiet young woman, spending her time at home and reading or sewing.
She decides one night to go out and meets Rafe Martinelli, who is a bit younger than her. They spend a couple of nights together and Elsa becomes pregnant. She is banned from her family and Rafe's parents force him to marry her.
She falls in love with him and his family on their farm in the Great Plains. Rafe has always been a dreamer and that makes him leave his wife and his two children with his parents. The Great Plains has been going through a rough drought and living is becoming harder and harder.
A strong woman has been created by Kristin Hannah. I wish that all women would remember how strong they actually are.
She decides one night to go out and meets Rafe Martinelli, who is a bit younger than her. They spend a couple of nights together and Elsa becomes pregnant. She is banned from her family and Rafe's parents force him to marry her.
She falls in love with him and his family on their farm in the Great Plains. Rafe has always been a dreamer and that makes him leave his wife and his two children with his parents. The Great Plains has been going through a rough drought and living is becoming harder and harder.
A strong woman has been created by Kristin Hannah. I wish that all women would remember how strong they actually are.
A well written story, great character development, really puts you in the heart of the dustbowl and you really understand what people went through. But wow did I find this depressing. They kept reading hoping it would have some happiness, but I guess that really didn't happen for people during the dust bowl.
The story and characters did not draw me in.
Very depressing and sad, from the beginning to the very end. This book is a study of nasty people and the harm they can and will do.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a story of the Depression, the dust bowl, poverty, unionization, and the American dream. It is a story of being an immigrant in one's own homeland and of prejudice. Although written about the 1930s, some of these conversations continue today even amidst the current prosperity of this nation. Elsa Wolcott is a memorable character, and the book is one that will stay with me for a long while.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/07/the-four-winds.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/07/the-four-winds.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Kristin Hannah has done it again. From the first page I was hooked. I read the book in a week, which is amazing since the last few years I've been lucky to read 20 pages a day!
It is the story of Elsa, who was unloved as a child and in seeking love, fell in love with Rafe Martinelli, a dreamer who ends up leaving his family during the worst of times.
The more things change, the more they remain the same, is a thought that came to mind while reading this book. The rich keep getting richer on the backs of the poor.
There is a quote in the book that describes Elsa to a T...
âA warrior believes in an end she can't see and fights for it. A warrior never gives up. A warrior fights for those weaker than herself. It sounds like motherhood to me.â Elsa is a warrior!!!
It is the story of Elsa, who was unloved as a child and in seeking love, fell in love with Rafe Martinelli, a dreamer who ends up leaving his family during the worst of times.
The more things change, the more they remain the same, is a thought that came to mind while reading this book. The rich keep getting richer on the backs of the poor.
There is a quote in the book that describes Elsa to a T...
âA warrior believes in an end she can't see and fights for it. A warrior never gives up. A warrior fights for those weaker than herself. It sounds like motherhood to me.â Elsa is a warrior!!!
Excellent book. One of the best I've read. A story of being able to overcome the impossible. A family has to leave Texas during the 40's due to the dust bowl, and trys to make it in CA picking crops.
