Reviews

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

bookishobserver's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

hokiegal2k's review against another edition

5.0

The Four Winds is my first Kristin Hannah book and I really need to get to her other ones! This was such a great book and such a hard book to read. I have kids the same ages as Loreda and Anthony and I found myself wondering over and over again about how we would react if we were faced with the same struggles.

The language and dialogue that Hannah uses does such a great job of bringing the reader into a heartbreaking time in American history. The added themes of poverty, immigration, and “us vs. them” are all too timely these days and reading the book during the pandemic really added to the weight of the novel. I wish the book were released early so we could get more minds thinking about these things.

The Four Winds will definitely stay with you; I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

aotales's review against another edition

2.0

Given the mega popularity of Kristin Hannah, I still had never committed to reading one of her novels. As a historical fiction fan, I figured it was time to rectify this … maybe I picked the wrong book to start with? I knew she was the Queen of Cry, but seriously? This was just so dang heavy handed. I absolutely abhor author manipulation, and from page one I knew that the entire purpose of this story was to make the reader cry. Yes, this is a story about the depression but it didn’t need to be so, well, depressing. Its singular focus on the melancholy and mournful left little room for connection of character or development of a plot.

My problem lies in that this really didn’t read like a novel but rather a collection of horrifically sad true tales of the Great Depression, life in the “dust bowl 30s” and the migrant experience to California. Hannah has rounded up every sad story she could muster and slammed it all on one character.

I can’t deny that Kristin Hannah is a talented author - she writes with an excellent fluidity and penchant for the drama that I’m sure is book club catnip. I personally couldn’t tolerate the level of heavy handed story manipulation that made up The Four Winds - it lacked balance, nuance or depth. If you’re looking for a good cry and some time to wallow, you’ll find it here.

absnells's review

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.5

bex_martel's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• 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

5.0

belinda_chisholm's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

kaitlynwag's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ktvondy's review against another edition

4.0

4.5! This book reminded me of all the reasons why I love historical fiction. Is this book depressing? Absolutely. But the characters are so well written, Lareda being my favorite. I love how this book made me think about mothers and motherhood in a new light while also portraying rebellious youth. The hardship this family experiences is heartbreaking and I think the author did a beautiful job of describing the gruesome time that was the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. I could taste the dust in my mouth. The ending was devastating but in my eyes, perfect.

alexandrabrooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

• 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

acmarinho3's review against another edition

4.0

Li este livro sempre com "As Vinhas da Ira" na minha cabeça. Senti alguma dificuldade em me desligar da obra de Steinbeck, porque a base histórica é a mesma e mexeu comigo da mesma forma. Senti que Kristin Hannah tenta puxar mais por um lado emocional e romântico, mas é sobretudo uma história de autoconhecimento e crescimento: uma mulher que sempre se sentiu só, percebe que essa solidão acabou, não está mais sozinha, é amada, adorada e admirada. O seu processo de catarse atinge o clímax de uma forma algo trágica, mas que considerei adequada e necessária para este livro.