The Four Winds
The Four Winds is 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 battles 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.
PRAISE FOR ‘THE FOUR WINDS’
- #1 New York Times Bestseller
- #1 USA Today Bestseller
- #1 Indie Bestseller
- #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
- #1 Los Angeles Times Bestseller
- #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
- #1 Globe & Mail Bestseller
- Today Show “Read With Jenna” Book Club Pick
- Indie Next Selection
- Amazon Spotlight Pick
- #1 Library Reads Selection
- Book of the Month Club Selection
“Through one woman’s survival during the harsh and haunting Dust Bowl, master storyteller, Kristin Hannah, reminds us that the human heart and our Earth are as tough, yet as fragile, as a change in the wind. This mother’s soul, suffering the same drought as the land, attempts to cross deserts and beat starvation to save her children with a fierce inner strength called motherhood. A timely novel highlighting the worth and delicate nature of Nature itself.”
–DELIA OWENS, AUTHOR OF WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
“Powerful. Unforgettable. Triumphant.”
–PAULA McLAIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE PARIS WIFE
“This American epic delivers a message of hope and heroism. I loved every page.”
–CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE EXILES
“Epic and transporting, a stirring story of hardship and love…Majestic and absorbing.”
–USA TODAY
“Brutally beautiful.”
–NEWSWEEK
“For devoted Hannah fans in search of a good cry.”
–KIRKUS
“Through it all, it is easy to feel Hannah’s desire to honor those who lived and fought through this devastating time in history. The Four Winds is also an ode to the strength and ferocity of mothers, and a declaration that sometimes, love is the only thing that holds us together. Above all else, The Four Winds is merely a really good story, one that hits you in all the right places and will keep surprising you until the end.
–AP
“Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice…combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line.”
–PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (STARRED REVIEW)
“Through Elsa’s eyes, readers travel through the Great Depression era and experience firsthand the difficulties faced in the Great Plains. Historical fiction readers will become immersed in this poignant story by Hannah (The Nightingale; The Great Alone) and will enjoy witnessing Elsa’s transformation from fragile, insecure girl to fearless, resilient woman.”
–LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED REVIEW)
“Outstanding…(A) rich, rewarding read about family ties, perseverance, and women’s friendships and fortitude.”
–BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)
“The Four Winds is a sweeping epic about an American struggling to keep her family afloat. It feels eerily timely as it highlights the ways women rally during a national crisis.”
–REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE
“Fans of The Nightingale won’t be disappointed with the author’s newest work, and they’ll warn you—if you don’t know already—to keep the tissues handy.”
–KMUW (WICHITA LOCAL NPR)
“A spectacular tour de force of survival that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women.”
–People Magazine, Book of the Week
EXPLORE 'THE FOUR WINDS'
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Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. And for a family in crisis, the ultimate test of the human spirit.
Goodreads Best Historical Novel of 2018
An Instant #1 New York Times Print and Print/eBook Bestseller
New York Times Audiobook Bestseller
The Nightingale
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning
In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.
Goodreads Best Historical Novel of 2015
People’s Choice Favorite Fiction Winner
Amazon Best Book of the Year
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Kristin Hannah
Here are five books I recommended for TODAY with Hoda & Jenna and the @readwithjenna book club. If you loved #thefourwinds, I think you’ll love these beautiful stories as well. #unbroken #thekiterunner #pachinko #theexiles #wherethecrawdadssing #bookstagram #kristinhannah #khaledhosseini #laurahillenbrand #deliaowens #christinabakerkline #epicstories #historicalfiction #minjinleepachinko www.today.com/shop/5-books-read-if-you-enjoyed-four-winds-kristin-hannah-t209800?utm_campaign=lat...
Kite runner was very good but I liked his other book A Thousand Splendid Suns even more
The Kite Runner is such an amazing book. I cry every time.
I just started “The Four Winds” and love it. However, this just reminded me I ordered “Where the Crawdads Sing” before the pandemic and then virtual school descended upon us. Nice to know I have my next book lined up!
I have read almost all of your books, and I love them. I just finished The Four Winds last night! Thank you for being an author!! I,too, agree with the above list.
I just finished The Four Winds last night. I sobbed through the last 25 pages. I didn't think you could top The Nightingale, but you might just have done it with this one. I've read all the others and I completely agree. Thank you for your gorgeous writing. Please never stop.
Loved both The Kite Runner and Where the Crawdads Sing..... looking forward to reading your newest soon, I've asked for it for my birthday in April
I loved both Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns! Excellent books! The other three are as well. Great choices!
I’ve read all but one, which is “Pachinko.” I read “The Kite Runner”, but enjoyed “A Thousand Splendid Suns” more. As for the 5th book, I cannot tell what it is as most of it has been cut off in the photo. BTW, I’ve read “Where the Crawdads Sing” and “Unbroken” more than once.
I'm SO sad that I only have about 20 more pages left in The Four Winds! I've read Where The Crawdads Sing and will check out the others. I trust your recommendations.
It’s been a good day for me. I turned the tv on just in time to see my favorite author and when I stopped at the library a copy of Four Winds was on the “new” shelf. No waiting for birthday to read it. Items marked “new” are not allowed to be reserved for first 30 days.
Frankly, I wasn’t impressed with Where Crawdad Sing, the other much better reads .
Thanks for recommendations! The Exiles and Pachinko are now in my Audible library. Still listening to The Four Winds and loving it!!
This librarian loved all these titles. I host a book group at our senior center, and read them too
I’m close to finishing The Four Winds. I’m learning so much. Thank you for writing this insightful, profound and wonderful novel. And thank you for giving Mrs. Quisdorf a kind heart. She was perfect.
Loved Where the Crawdad Sings. It was such a good book.
I loved the book, “Where the crawdads sing.”
“Unbroken” is amazing!!!! Another similar great book is “Fearless” which is about one of the Seal Team Six members who fought drug addiction much of his life but was able to get into the Navy Seals. Highly recommend.
Loved The Kite Runner! That book shaped my reading taste
I loved both the Kite Runner and Where the Crawdads Sing. Completely different but both so good!
My least favorite is "Where Crawdads Sing". All good books.
Read and enjoyed them all! “Where the lilacs bloom “is very good also!
The Exiles is a favorite that I finished recently. I am sharing it as often as I can to share the story of some amazing female characters 🤩
I just finished Where The crawdads sing and it was really good!!
Where the Crawdad sings was wonderful. Also read The Kite Runner
I’ve read all four - Unbroken and Kite Runner really stuck with me - huge impact .
I did it!!!! I was on @thetodayshow @hodaandjenna!!! It was so fun talking to them and the fabulous @readwithjenna book club readers who loved the book! I also loved my Instagram chat with Jenna. She and the readers asked such wonderful questions! Thank you @readwithjenna and @jennabhager. Your love of books shines through. I’m honored to be one of your club picks. #readwithjenna #kristinhannah #thefourwinds #bookstagram #kristinhannahbooks #fireflylane #fireflylaneonnetflix
You did a wonderful job on the show this morning. I just finished The Four Winds and have been telling all my friends about it. I loved it. I also loved The Nightingale. I have read it twice so far. Please keep writing. Thank you. 💚
I watched you! I am so glad I caught the show. YOU are right about Winter Garden! I ❤️ your work in that book particularly.
It was a very nice experience to see you this morning on The Today Show with Hoda and Jenna. You have been my most favorite author since I read Winter Garden a number of years ago. I also read Winter Garden a second time during the pandemic shut down. I am so looking forward to reading The Four Winds.
I just finished True Colors. You are an awesome writer! I can almost see your stories come to life in my mind!
You rocked that interview with Hoda & Jenna! And that hot pink blazer was such a beautiful color for you. Congrats!
Loved the interview! The Nightingale was my first of your books I read and have told so many of my friends it's the best book I've ever read! Really thought The Four Winds was good as well. Now to read The Great Alone. Thank you, Kristin!
You are my favorite author ever! I get ‘lost’ in every book. Thank you for giving me the outlet I need. Cried my way thru Firefly Lane on Netflix and can’t wait to reread it!
I read a lot. What I’m finding is very often I don’t remember what I’ve read!!! I don’t think this is unusual for older folks but it’s frustrating! 🙄 With Kristin Hannah’s books however I’ve found it only takes a few sentences to bring the entire book back into that lovely spot in my brain. She’s that good.
Her books are amazing, The four winds I read in 3 days, just finished the Great Alone read it in 3 days, Firefly Lane so good, going to go get another book of hers I have not read, I can’t stop reading them
I love all your books ~ my favorite so far was the Midnight Hour - the massive research shows in a very special story!
I saw you LIVE on Instagram and also on the Today show! Toy were AMAZING and I was so inspired!! Thank you for making my day so wonderful today! God bless you!
I cant wait to read this book. The Great Alone and Nightingale are my all time favorites
You are one of my favorite authors !! I read winter garden a few months ago. I enjoyed it almost as much as the Nightingale!! Can’t wait to read the four winds!!❤️
Love, love your books! Been reading your books for over 20 years, and they keep getting better!! Loved the Nightingale, and just finished Four Winds, so moving, and memorable! Great job on the today show !
Loved the book and just passed it on to my granddaughters, who are big fans of yours. They are in Middle School and High School. They have been wondering what took me so long to get the book off to them!!
Loved it, great interview. I loved this book and all of your books. I believe I have read 18 of your 24. Have followed you for a long time. Keep writing such wonderful books.
You were great! It was so wonderful hearing the discussion of The Four Winds on TV this morning! I loved the character, Elsa too! Julie did an outstanding job doing all the voices of the characters. I didn’t want the book to end! I didn’t expect the ending. I thought Elsa would marry Jack and that they would fight together all over the country for justice. But your ending was more realistic. Have you thought about a sequel? Or is that too cheesy? Lolo is so important and dear to your readers. I also loved The Great Alone. I stumbled on it my accident. You are amazingly talented! I love your writing!
Nice to meet you this morning! I went to the library and borrowed Winter Garden. I'll let you know how I like it!
Watched you & enjoyed every minute! Loved hearing you talk about why Elsa is your favorite character. I am reading Four Winds now & surely enjoying!
You were great! I enjoyed your interview very much!
Great interview and chat afterwards! Thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and was so glad I was able to watch. I’m enjoying Four Winds now and thought The Nightingale was outstanding. Thank you for all of your beautiful work! Great job Jenna!!
I am such a fan of your writing. I have just finished The Four Winds which really touched me as did your other books. The Nightingale and The Great Alone and two of my other favourites. I can’t wait for your next one. I love that they are all quite different to the previous one and each has quite a different setting. I can’t put your books down once I start them and I don’t forget them.
I loved The Four Winds. It was a phenomenal book.
Kristin, your books are my favorites. After listening to you explain the research and all the rewrites that went into The Four Winds, I understand why your books are so amazing. You are a master at your craft. I’m already anxious for “25”. I know it will be worth the wait!
I watched! You were wonderful! I am such a fan. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. You have made this pandemic easier to deal with. I reread Firefly Lane and then read The Four Winds. I'm watching Netflix now. Give us a hint about your next??
Here are five books I recommended for @hodaandjenna and the @readwithjenna book club. If you loved #thefourwinds, I think you’ll love these beautiful stories as well. There’s a link to the article in the @readwithjenna bio. #unbroken #thekiterunner #pachinko #theexiles #wherethecrawdadssing ...
Feb 24
Here are five books I recommended for @hodaandjenna and the @readwithjenna book club. If you loved #thefourwinds, I think you’ll love these beautiful stories as well. There’s a link to the article in the @readwithjenna bio. #unbroken #thekiterunner #pachinko #theexiles #wherethecrawdadssing #bookstagram #kristinhannah #khaledhosseini #laurahillenbrand #deliaowens #christinabakerkline #epicstories #historicalfiction #minjinleepachinko
I did it!!!! I was on @thetodayshow @hodaandjenna!!! It was so fun talking to them and the fabulous @readwithjenna book club readers who loved the book! I also loved my Instagram chat with Jenna. She and the readers asked such wonderful questions! Thank you @readwithjenna and @jennabhager. Your ...
Feb 24
I did it!!!! I was on @thetodayshow @hodaandjenna!!! It was so fun talking to them and the fabulous @readwithjenna book club readers who loved the book! I also loved my Instagram chat with Jenna. She and the readers asked such wonderful questions! Thank you @readwithjenna and @jennabhager. Your love of books shines through. I’m honored to be one of your club picks. #readwithjenna #kristinhannah #thefourwinds #bookstagram #kristinhannahbooks #fireflylane #fireflylaneonnetflix