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This book was a real eye-opener! You’d think that as a California native, I would’ve known more, but like a lot of the reviews, the “Dustbowl” was an event I’d heard about in junior high history class, but I was wholly unfamiliar with what a total disaster it really was!

I have also heard folks referred to as “Okies,” mostly by themselves, but it doesn’t carry on as a derogatory term – for them, that they still have kin in “Oklahoma” is a point of pride.

I have several friends, no doubt relatives of Midwestern Dustbowl migrants who decided to stay in California, who are now prosperous raisin and citrus farmers in the San Joaquin Central Valley – Fresno, Merced, Stockton. Others are horsemen in the high desert around Apple Valley, and of course, some are ranchers around Bakersfield. Every self-professed Okie that I know is still in the agricultural business, just as their forbearers were. I guess the more things change the more they stay the same.

But I was completely unaware of the dire circumstances in the Midwest that forced those people west; nor was I aware of their California reception, the extent of their exploitation, or the depth of their despair. Likewise, I’d heard of “Hooverville’s” and “Hoover flags” but I thought they were solely products of the Great Depression and back east in New York and New Jersey, not here in California.

It was also disturbing to see the prejudice against, and treatment of, dust storm natural disaster victims and fellow Americans. Even more disturbing was the wholesale exploitation by some farmers. One good earthquake and the shoe could have very easily been on the other foot!

Usually, I review both the actual book or e-book and the audiobook. However in this case, the audiobook is so well done and the narrator so exquisite and captivating, I never felt the need or desire to actually read, vice listen to, The Four Winds. As a bonus, at the end of the audiobook, Kristin Hannah and Julia Whelan are interviewed by the audiobook producer. It’s very interesting to hear how Hannah prepares to write a book of historical fiction and to hear how Whelan approaches her role as narrator. All in all, a well-deserved five stars!

PS: Go ahead and look up some pictures of the “Dustbowl” and if you’re like me, your jaw will drop! ( )

This book was a blend of 2 Steinbeck novels..."The Grapes of Wrath" and "In Dubious Battle". So for originality, I give it 2 stars. For the writing and storyline, 4 stars. The ending was predictable* but moving nonetheless. (*Spoiler: misunderstood, strong-willed protofeminist finally finds love and amazing sex with quiet, strong, supportive male and now feels complete as a human). This was also a story element in another recently published depression-era novel, "The Giver of Stars". ( )

Although THE FOUR WINDS is marketed as a novel for adults, for me it's writing style is more young adult, which is not usually to my taste anymore. That is not to say that this is a bad book. It is just more to my 13-year-old taste, especially since many of the chapters are written from a teenager's point of view. THE FOUR WINDS reminds me of a John Jakes novel I read when I was 13.

This novel begins before the Great Depression. Elsa has grown up lonely and unloved. She later marries a younger boy and moves to his parent's farm in Texas.

Skip a few years now to the time of the Depression. Elsa has two children, and her husband has run away. She stays there on the farm with his parents and tries to fight the horrible drought and dust storms. After her son is hospitalized with dust pneumonia, Elsa and her children move to California. But their life there becomes even worse. Out of necessity, Elsa becomes involved with Communists who want to strike against the field owners, who were not paying their workers enough to feed their children or pay rent.

Prepare for a depressing read from beginning to end. Once or twice a good thing happens, such as when a security guard gives Elsa $5.

I wasn't pleased with THE FOUR WINDS, but you may be, so read other reviews. ( )

Oh, I just love how Kristin Hannah writes - doesn’t seem to matter what the subject, she nails it, and the Four Winds was no exception. I have to admit, I have seen some less than glowing reviews, most mentioning how the book was simply too depressing to finish. Seriously?! It’s about the Dust Bowl and Depression - how could it be anything but depressing? Those kind of negative or less than glowing reviews should just be disqualified.

Yes, the story was sad, depressing at times, and seemingly without hope, but all you have to do is turn the page and there it is, hope. The story is one of perseverance, doing the right thing, working hard, family, and love - the story is about real life.

I admire how the author wrote a beautiful story about a horrible time in history that has likely been forgotten existed by most. The Four Winds is a good lesson in being grateful for our abundance.

Well done, Ms. Hannah - keep swinging for the fence. ( )