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yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.5
“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.”
I'm a fan of Kristin Hannah's writing, and I've been meaning to read The Four Winds ever since it was published four years ago. Somehow it took me a lot longer than expected to finally do so... Probably because part of me worried about how I would react to it after seeing more than one mention of just how bleak and depressing this story was. And there is no doubt about it that The Four Winds is one of the most depressing stories I've read in a while. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it almost felt like the author researched just about ever bad event that happened in the time period, and then dumped it all on the main characters. It's one thing to read about characters trying to overcome a bad situation, but when you pile up too many tragedies it's hard not to become desensitized to it all. On top of this, I found the characters to be quite cliche and I kind of wish they would have been developed more... There was a lot of repetition going on with certain interactions and events appearing over and over. As for the characters: I absolutely hated the selfish daughter Loreda and the way she kept behaving. Elsa wasn't much better to be honest her constantly repeating that she is ugly and not worthy... This also made the ending even less credible, because after everything you've read it's hard to believe she finally finds her self-esteem. I wasn't a fan of the ending in general to be honest; I actually already suspected it was coming and it seemed the author wanted to go in this direction to add even more tragedy. Like I said before, I was already completely desensitized by then, and the only thing the author got from me was an eye roll and a sigh. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad. I did love Ant and the grandparents, and I loved learning more about the time period. Still, sometimes less is more, and this story would have benefitted from a little less tragedy and more hope. I can't say it was my favorite Kristin Hannah, but I'm still glad I finally read it.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bubblebot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
the book will affect how i view some things in the future. it has caused change in me and that is the biggest compliment i can give a book.
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
geminisoul's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Deportation
fancyjess_party's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
courtofbooksanddogs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
samanthas_book_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Sexism, Violence, and Police brutality
sarahfeller's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Elsa Martinelli life had never been one of joy but when the 30’s hit her life on the dust bowl turn devastating. The farm is failing, her husband is a drunk and the land is killing the crops, animals and her children. She must make a decision to attempt to save them.
This novel depicts the physical, mental and emotional struggle of one family in the depression. Told in a duel point of view of mother and daughter it is a beautiful tale of heartache, determination and fear.
The imagery makes you taste and feel the dry heat and dust. You really are transported to the time.
It also highlights how easily human nature can attack an outsider or newcomer and how easy people can take on the “Us and Them” mentality to justify cruelty and injustice.
Warning I did tear up a couple of times so be aware if reading in public.
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, and Abandonment
passionatereader78's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content, Police brutality, Medical content, and Medical trauma
ems_rxlibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Abandonment