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The Four Winds: A Novel Hardcover – February 2, 2021

by Kristin Hannah (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 153,630 ratings
Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction
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"The Bestselling Hardcover Novel of the Year."--Publishers Weekly

From the number-one bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself, when millions were out of work and even the land seemed to have turned against them.

“My land tells its story if you listen. The story of our family.”

Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on the brink of a new and optimistic era. But for Elsa Wolcott, deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman’s only option, the future seems bleak. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows.

By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as crops fail and water dries up and the earth cracks open. Dust storms roll relentlessly across the plains. Everything on the Martinelli farm is dying, including Elsa’s tenuous marriage; each day is a desperate battle against nature and a fight to keep her children alive.

In this uncertain and perilous time, Elsa―like so many of her neighbors―must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or leave it behind and go west, to California, in search of a better life for her family.

The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it―the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    464 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Press
  4. Publication date
    February 2, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6.62 x 1.41 x 9.99 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1250178606
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1250178602
  8. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. A 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.
    Highlighted by 10,237 Kindle readers
  2. Apparently you couldn’t stop loving some people, or needing their love, even when you knew better.
    Highlighted by 6,903 Kindle readers
  3. It wasn’t the fear that mattered in life. It was the choices made when you were afraid. You were brave because of your fear, not in spite of it.
    Highlighted by 6,845 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

The Four Winds Kristin Hannah Today Show Book Club PIck
The Four Winds Kristin Hannah The New York Times quote

The Four Winds Kristin Hannah Associated Press quote

The Four Winds Kristin Hannah People Magazine quote

The Four Winds Kristin Hannah USA Today quote

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of February 2021: No, the grit stinging your eyes and getting stuck in your teeth isn’t real, that’s just how evocative Kristin Hannah’s descriptions of the Dust Bowl storms are. But unlikely heroine, Elsa Martinelli, will lodge herself into your heart. The Four Winds is a reminder, when we so urgently need it, of the resiliency not only of the human spirit, but of this country as well. Hannah's latest reads like a classic. –Erin Kodicek, Amazon Book Review

Review

"The Bestselling Hardcover Novel of the Year."--Publishers Weekly

Book of the Month Club's Best Book of 2021

Selected for The Texas Library Association's 2022 Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List

"The Four Winds seems eerily prescient in 2021 . . . Its message is galvanizing and hopeful: We are a nation of scrappy survivors. We’ve been in dire straits before; we will be again. Hold your people close.”―The New York Times

 "A spectacular tour de force that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women."―People

"Brutally beautiful."―Newsweek


"Epic and transporting, a stirring story of hardship and love...Majestic and absorbing."―USA Today

"Through one woman’s survival during the harsh and haunting Dust Bowl, master storyteller, Kristin Hannah, reminds us that the human heart and our Earth are as tough, yet as fragile, asa change in the wind. This mother’s soul, suffering the same drought as the land, attempts to cross deserts and beat starvation to save her children with a fierce inner strength called motherhood. A timely novel highlighting the worth and delicate nature of Nature itself." ―Delia Owens, author of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

"A powerful, stirring, wind-swept tale set in Depression-era America that makes your heart break and soar in equal measure. An escape into the past with timely echoes to the present. Kristin Hannah is a classic storyteller and The Four Winds sees her at the top of her game.” -- MATT HAIG, New York Times bestselling author of THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY

"Wow. I have been left with a bursting heart. Prepare to go on a journey. The story of Elsa and her family will sweep you up on its wings and plunge you to the depths of feeling. This novel is crucial for our times: although set during the Great Depression and the terrible dust bowls, it holds up a mirror to our current world and asks us to look and to understand deeply. It is a story of migration, poverty, prejudice - it shines a light on a crisis that is all too real in today’s world. Yet, it is also a story of love, family, unbreakable bonds, bravery and hope. I will never forget the characters, what they endured and how they hoped and loved. I feel that I will be forever touched by them. I loved this book so much!" --Christy Lefteri, author of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO

"The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a captivating, heartbreaking tale of a family who will do anything for each other ― and everything to survive. The strength of Hannah’s prose brings the characters to life in a way that will make you unable to tear yourself away from them. You will celebrate their triumphs, mourn their tragedies, and commend their bravery.

Through it all, it is easy to feel Hannah’s desire to honor those who lived and fought through this devastating time in history. The Four Winds is also an ode to the strength and ferocity of mothers, and a declaration that sometimes, love is the only thing that holds us together.

Above all else, The Four Winds is merely a really good story, one that hits you in all the right places and will keep surprising you until the end."―Associated Press

"One woman’s journey exemplifies the hard choices families faced when confronted with survival versus a sense of home."―GoodMorningAmerica.com

"Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice...combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line"― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Outstanding.... [A] rich, rewarding read about family ties, perseverance, and women's friendships and fortitude." ― Booklist (starred review)

"The Four Winds is a sweeping epic about an American struggling to keep her family afloat. It feels eerily timely as it highlights the ways women rally during a national crisis."―Real Simple

"A heartbreaking but beautiful story of sacrifice, courage, love, and hope. Grab the tissues."―The Skimm

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press; First Edition (February 2, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250178606
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250178602
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.62 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.62 x 1.41 x 9.99 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 153,630 ratings

About the author

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Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah

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Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Her newest novel, The Women, about the nurses who served in the Vietnam war, will be released on February 6, 2024.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.

In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

In 2015, The Nightingale became an international blockbuster and was Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.

The Nightingale is currently in pre-production at Tri Star. Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
153,630 global ratings
A Stunning Epic!
5 Stars
A Stunning Epic!
This is the first book I ever read by Kristin Hannah and it will definitely not be my last. She is my favorite author of 2021 that I'm gushing over. I've simply fallen in love with her gigantic historical novel: The Four Winds.It's an epic American story that will sweep you off your feet, take your breath away and fill your mouth with dry, choking grit from Texas during the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression.The story is centered around Elsa Martinelli, her family and the choices they make to survive. The powerful forces of the wind, a mother's love, the land that feeds and houses them, the injustices endured, the raw poverty and backbreaking labor will sear your heart.Both of my parents went through the Great Depression and this book really brings to life what they went through. It paints a painful picture of the agony families experienced during this time.The writing in the novel is fluid and elegant. Every page kept my rapt attention. I found myself staying up well into the night reading for hours and hungering for more when the sun came up. This book moved my soul. I laughed, cried and cried some more. Elsa and her beloved family and friends will forever be in my heart.My rating for this beautiful book is ten stars. Five stars simply doesn't do it justice. I'm looking forward to reading all of Kristin Hannah's books and next on my list is The Great Alone.My favorite quotes from The Four Winds"A 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.""Life is tough. You need to be tougher or it will turn you inside out.""We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.""The four winds have blown us here, people from all across the country, to the very end of this great land. And now, at last, we make our stand, fight for what we know to be right. We fight for our American dream, that it will be possible again."
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Top reviews from the United States

Bethany D.
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful testimony of hope
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
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I was mesmerized by this story of courage, hope & fortitude. Each character has a special place in my heart, as they live tragic lives filled with hope. It was probably one of the books that I could not put down & thought about during my daily activities. Well written with a beautiful plot. So heart wrenching yet beautiful…..
2 people found this helpful
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EM
5.0 out of 5 stars I cried, hoped, cheered, and cried more!
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
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Incredible book, Kristin Hannah!
So much bravery, sorrow, yet incredible moments of joy, especially in the "little" things we "Americans" take for granted now. And hope! We are lost when we lose hope.
The entire story meant so much more to me than it would have pre-covid pandemic. My great-grandmother lived through the Great Depression and would talk about the effects here in Northern Vermont. Her experience even shaped how my grandmother stored food, always ready for shortage and to some degree my mother.
To live through the Dust Bowl or many of the horrible times when there was never enough of anything and basic human needs were ignored by those who had more than enough but chose to lie to themselves and cast those who by no fault of their own lost everything, as if they chose to live that way, disgusting. I was so angry many times that I definitely identified with Loreda! But only bc I always had enough and an abundance of love!
I was taught to always look out for those who had less than you did, eben if what you have isn't much, and I'm grateful for that legacy.
9 people found this helpful
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ams629
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Writer
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
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Kristin Hannah has a way to create real characters, with hardship, and emotion. She paints vivid scenes and writes book that draw you in. I will read more from her, but need a lighter book.
2 people found this helpful
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Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good Historical Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
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I just finished reading this book for my book club. I am not normally someone who likes Historical Fiction, but found this book so engaging and insightful. The author notes that she did make up the characters and events, but they are based on actual events and things that would have happened during the time frame she is writing about. She also gives a list of historical readings and resources if you would like to learn more about what happened during the time period.

I did not know much about the Oklahoma/Texas dust bowl and what it was like for people to travel to California in search of a better life. I was shocked at what it was really like and how we treated our own people that were in search of starting a new life and being able to provide for their families. This book sparked my interest in learning more about the time period. It was a great story that kept me wanting to find out what would happen next. I had a hard time putting it down.
5 people found this helpful
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K.L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Story
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
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This book was not an easy read but it was a very good book. I obviously did not live through the Depression, but my parents and grandparents did and I remember their stories. This story is sad and very challenging, but God’s grace is shown throughout and it is what we all live for.
3 people found this helpful
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars A novel of the human spirit
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
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The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is the story of resilience, courage and the will to survive in the face of impossible odds. When growing up inside her family home, Elsa Wolcott never pictured herself married with children of her own. Led to believe she was sickly and plain, Elsa was resigned to the life of a spinster for the rest of her life. But a bold and daring move one night leads her to meet Rafe Martinelli and her world is forever changed. Finding herself in the family way, Elsa is shamed and cast from her parents home and coerced into marrying Rafe and living with the Martinellis.

Life is difficult at first, but Elsa is determined to win Rafe’s love and his parents’ approval. As time goes by, Elsa becomes attached to her in-laws and they to her, as well as the two children the marriage produces. However, Rafe has other dreams that don’t include life on the farm with a family to raise. When the depression hits, followed by financial ruin due to dust storms caused by excessive drought and years of overfarming, Rafe abandons his family and farm for what he believes are greener pastures. As the years go by and the drought and dust storms continue, Elsa is encouraged to head west for the health and well being of her children. Marketed as the land of milk and honey, Elsa heads to California with her children in tow and the few precious possessions they have. Unfortunately, the living conditions are terrible at best in the migrant camps and work is scarce. With her resources starting to run short and three mouths to feed, Elsa must stand her ground and do whatever it takes to survive. The Workers Alliance uniting migrant workers to fight for fair wages and work practices seems to offer hope. But all actions have their consequences as Elsa soon finds out. The only question that remains is how much is she willing to lose in order to gain.

I have read so many of Kristin Hannah’s books and like all her books they stay with you long after you finish reading them. This book put me in the same frame of mind as The Grapes of Wrath. The heartache and the struggle of families that were promised a grand life of fruitful work and good wages, only to find little work, paltry wages and unsanitary living conditions was heartbreaking. As with all her novels, her characters in this story exuded so much strength and love for one another. I especially liked Rose and Tony Martinelli, but Elsa and her daughter Loreda were my favorite characters by far. Their inner strength to continue living, working and hoping for a better tomorrow despite all the insurmountable odds was truly amazing. To watch Elsa’s transformation from a diminutive young woman that nobody gave a second glance to, to a strong independent woman with a heart so full of love and strength was extremely gratifying. Anyone who reads this novel will love her spirit and tenacity to survive and pass this fearlessness on to her children. The only thing I would have liked to have known is what happened to Rafe. Never seen or heard from again, I would have liked to have known his outcome.

In closing, The Four Winds is a great novel worth the time to read. From the very beginning to the end, you will be caught up in the life of Elsa Wolcott Martinelli and travel with her from the Texas panhandle to the coast of California. You will cheer with her and cry with her, but most of all you will come to love and admire her.
7 people found this helpful
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Southern Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book about the Dust Bowl!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I really wanted to read it since seeing Ken Burns documentary The Dust Bowl.
But I was very upset with the book’s ending!!
I don’t understand why Kristin chose that ending.
It didn’t make sense to me. So tragic!
3 people found this helpful
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Donna A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
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As always, Kristin Hannah doesn’t disappoint me. The story was compelling and the characters were complex, believable, and relatable. I couldn’t put this book down and feel a sense of loss that I competed it. Amazing work!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Daniella Gurrea
5.0 out of 5 stars Me gusta! Calidad precio perfecto !!
Reviewed in Mexico on January 18, 2022
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No puedo creer que me salga mas barato un libro importado! y en inglés!!!
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C. Kirby
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2024
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A story full of courage, love, struggle and hardship. The characters seemed so real. I couldn't wait to read more, and to learn something of the terrible time American people went through in the depression of the 1930s. It is shocking, but the story is also heart-warming and told so well, I felt I was there with these amazing characters. I definitely want to read more by this author.
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smilline
5.0 out of 5 stars schönes Buch
Reviewed in Germany on March 6, 2024
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Manchmal etwas langatmig, aber naturgemäß sehr bewegend. Ich konnte sehr gut in die Zeit eintauchen, mich mit den Frauen identifizieren. Ich habe einiges gelernt. Auf jeden Fall lesenswert.
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JONAS RIBAS
5.0 out of 5 stars Dust Bowl
Reviewed in Brazil on March 31, 2021
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Excelente romance ambientado no período da grande depressão Americana e do Dust Bowl na região do Texas panhandle, abordando o sofrimento e as mudanças dos aspectos sociais, econômicos, educacionais, migratório e de sáude, vivenciados por uma família de moradores daquele local
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Mandy
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Love About a Novel
Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2021
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I couldn't put this book down. Its left me with vivid pictures as if I'd seen a movie.
This is both a well written fiction , researched and informative ( on many levels) about the hardships of the 1930's during the Depression.
My grandparents went through these times on the Canadian prairies and I could relate to much of this story. In addition it showcases political situations such as how the dark side of capitalism can bring about the rise of other ideologies such as Communistic beliefs. It caused me to research Roosevelt and find the things he started to benefit the poverty stricken. One of the best written and researched stories I've read . I'm already looking for another of Hannah's.
3 people found this helpful
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