The Four Winds

Hardcover, 464 pages Published 2021 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 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. 'A powerful, stirring, wind-swept tale set in Depression-era America that makes your heart break and soar in equal measure.' - Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library The Four Winds, an instant New York Times number one bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, is a deeply moving story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the multi-million-copy bestselling author of The Nightingale , Kristin Hannah. 'Powerful and compelling' – Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times . . . Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she'd yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa's world is shattered to the winds. Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess? From the overriding love of a mother for her child, the value of female friendship and the ability to love again – against all odds – Elsa's incredible journey is a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love. 'A story of love, family, unbreakable bonds, bravery and hope. I loved this book so much!' - Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo **** What readers LOVE about The Four Winds : 'Everyone should read this book. This is the new American classic' 'It will break your heart and bring you to tears. It will also be one of the best books you read all year!' 'This is historical fiction at its best: compelling, compassionate, enraging and courageous. I absolutely loved this book!' 'Gripping and captivating . . . heartbreaking and inspiring' 'We fall in love with a warrior who finds her power and strength, surrounded by love. Beautiful' 'BRAVO to the author, this is her best work yet' ‘powerful And Compelling’ - Delia Owens, Number One International Bestselling Author Of Where The Crawdads Sing The Four Winds Is A Deeply Moving, Powerful Story About The Strength And Resilience Of Women And The Bond Between Mother And Daughter, By The Multi-million Copy Number One Bestselling Author Of The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah. She Will Discover The Best Of Herself In The Worst Of Times . . . Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli Had Finally Found The Life She’d Yearned For. A Family, A Home And A Livelihood On A Farm On The Great Plains. But When Drought Threatens All She And Her Community Hold Dear, Elsa’s World Is Shattered To The Winds. Fearful Of The Future, When Elsa Wakes To Find Her Husband Has Fled, She Is Forced To Make The Most Agonizing Decision Of Her Life. Fight For The Land She Loves Or Take Her Beloved Children, Loreda And Ant, West To California In Search Of A Better Life. Will It Be The Land Of Milk And Honey? Or Will Their Experience Challenge Every Ounce Of Strength They Possess? From The Overriding Love Of A Mother For Her Child, The Value Of Female Friendship And The Ability To Love Again – Against All Odds, Elsa’s Incredible Journey Is A Story Of Survival, Hope And What We Do For The Ones We Love. Praise For Kristin Hannah ‘a Rich, Compelling Novel Of Love, Sacrifice And Survival’ - Kate Morton ‘a Masterclass’ - Karen Swan **** What Readers Love About The Four Winds 'everyone Should Read This Book. This Is The New American Classic' 'it Will Break Your Heart And Bring You To Tears. It Will Also Be One Of The Best Books You Read All Year!' 'this Is Historical Fiction At Its Best: Compelling, Compassionate, Enraging And Courageous. I Absolutely Loved This Book!' 'gripping And Captivating . . . Heartbreaking And Inspiring' 'we Fall In Love With A Warrior Who Finds Her Power And Strength, Surrounded By Love. Beautiful' 'bravo To The Author, This Is Her Best Work Yet' An epic, sweeping tale of love and loss set in the midst of the Great Depression in 1930s America, by the multi-million-copy global bestseller Kristin Hannah.