Book Review: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

This book was reviewed by Paige, Library Assistant at the Brandon Shoppers Mall and Brandon Downtown branches.

Kristin Hannah’s novel The Nightingale is one of my favourite books and when I found out she was coming out with a new book, I had high expectations. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of this book when it first arrived at the library and it didn’t disappoint! Here are my thoughts on her brand new release.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah follows Elsa Martinelli, a mother living in Texas in 1934 during one of the worst periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era. Her in-law’s crops are failing from lack of water, their farm animals are dying, and they struggle to put food on the table. When farmers start abandoning their land to move to California, Elsa must decide if she wants to stay on her land with her in-laws or take her children west with the hope for a better life.

Kristin Hannah is one of those authors where you immediately get sucked into the world and the lives of the characters. Her use of descriptive language allows you to picture what is happening and you feel as though you are going through what the characters are going through. Elsa is someone you want to root for. Growing up in a family environment where no love is shown to her, she is forced into marriage so that her reputation doesn’t get tarnished. You get to experience her growth as she learns how to work on the farm and when she finally considers it home. When the land starts to fail the family, Elsa will stop at nothing to protect her children. Her strength, resilience and courage keep her from giving up on her dream of providing her children with a better life. Elsa is a hero and represents many of the families during that time wanting to find and live the American Dream.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is available through the Western Manitoba Regional Library in physical form, as an e-book, and as an e-audiobook. To request a copy, search the title through the Catalogue on our website or visit the Libby app.