The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
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Web ID: 160833394 stars
THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah Leave it to me to choose a book that takes place during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years of 1930 to 1936 at this particular moment in time - not exactly the most uplifting of topics. If there’s one word to describe Elsinore “Elsa” Martinelli it would be *resilient* because she most definitely was. Elsa had everything stacked against her and then some! I did wonder if the author made a list of everything that could possibly have gone wrong to someone in those years and decided, “Yes, let’s put Elsa through that. And another bad thing! And this terrible one! Oh, let’s give her even *more* hardship because why not?” In short, this was depressing and bleak. However! This was also a very well written, readable and readable story. It will pull on your heart strings and provide a better understanding of the trials and sacrifices of the people who lived through/survived those years. Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great historical fiction!
This was similar to Grapes of Wrath but with a satisfying ending. I was invested in the story.
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"Ignorance is the root of misfortune." (Plato)
"Ignorance is the root of misfortune." (Plato) What a great service Kristin Hannah has accomplished in this riveting historical novel that points out that the Dust Bowl disaster could have been avoided had educated farming practices been in place at the time. Farmers had no idea that the way they were farming degraded the land. They were ignorant of the fact that soil needs to be anchored by the long roots of vegetation so that topsoil is not blown away by strong winds. This ignorance cost 7000 people their lives, many of whom died of starvation (while travelling out of the Midwest) dust pneumonia, lung disease, and the unkindness of fellow Americans unwilling to welcome them. The roughly 2.5 million people who migrated out of the Dust Bowl were met with suspicion and disdain in California and other states. Roughly 2.5 million people, in one of the largest migrations in American history, were treated despicably by ungenerous neighbours unwilling to share. Those who sprung into action to help, the Communist Party, were equally vilified. Over time, and with the caring of the insistent few, good prevailed. Farmers got educated. Women learned to acknowledge, apply and appreciate their power. New laws were established to support disaster victims. To learn American history in a page-turning, riveting read is wonderful and I thank Kristin Hannah for her excellent teaching. Eleanor Cowan, Author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great look at history
Literally one of the most depressing books I have ever read... but also very memorable and a very good read. I loved following Elsa's story and seeing her find her voice and stand up for herself.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Learning about the Dust Bowl
This story chronicled the horrible choices faced by many during the Dust Bowl. I never realized how terrible conditions were for these people when they reached California. The characters became very real to me.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Unrelentingly Depressing
I know this story is truth based but at this stage of my life I read for pleasure. I found only sadness in this book. Not even a happy ending. Sorry, but I just didn't like it.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful, Heartbreaking Historical Fiction
Kristin has a way of writing that just immerses me into the story. This is another beautiful story set during the great depression and dust bowl. I don't know if I have ever read a book about this time period, but now I would like to read more. The loss of dreams, the heartache, and the struggles they went through are unimaginable. I loved it and will be thinking about it for a while. I loved the struggle with the mother-daughter relationship. It was very raw and real. Kristin is definitely one of my favorite authors, and I love how she always has strong female characters. Elsa, and Loreda both fit into this category.
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