Set in Texas during the Dust Bowl, The Four Winds tells the story of Elsa Martinelli and her struggle to do anything to protect her children. Elsa marries Rafe after getting pregnant and her family disowning her. She moves into his family home and helps run their farm. When the drought starts Rafe leaves her and her children, Loreda and Ant. She stays with her in laws trying to help keep the farm running, but when Ant gets dust pneumonia, Elsa makes the decision to take her children to California in hopes of a better life.

I wasn’t really sure how I would feel about this book when I found out what it was about. I read The Grapes of Wrath in college and honestly found it kind of boring. I’m so glad I went with my gut and trusted that Kristin Hannah would make this book anything but boring because this book was amazing!

I loved everything about this book. It had me enthralled from the beginning straight through the end. This book is very character driven, and I thought there were so many great characters. Elsa is such an amazing character. Her strength is such an inspiration even though she doesn’t see how strong she actually is. Rose and Tony, Elsa’s in-laws, were great characters too. The love they showed Elsa and her kids even after their son left them, was so moving. Loreda was a spitfire and full of spunk. I loved how she wanted to fight for what’s right. Ant was at times the comic relief and heart we needed in such a serious and depressing story.

Kristin Hannah did such an amazing job in setting the tone of this era and describing the situations they were in. Her descriptions of the farm, the drive to cross country, and the camp they lived in were all done so well that I felt transported there. Make sure you read the author’s note at the end of the book because she lets you know what was fictional in this book.

This is a book about female empowerment and strength. It’s about a mother’s love for her children and the lengths she’ll go to make sure they have what they need to survive. Like other Kristin Hannah books, you’ll definitely need a box of tissues nearby while reading it. There were a few times I found myself crying.

There’s definitely a reason Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. The Four Winds is my favorite book I’ve read this year, and I can definitely see it staying at the top of the list.