It has been a LONG time since I shared a book review in this space. I’m reading a lot of books these days, but I haven’t spent much time actually writing out my response. I hope to change that this year, because I think I get more out of a book if I sit down and process it just a bit in written form—and because I can be a bit bossy at times and I like telling you what I think you should (and shouldn’t) read. 😂😂😂
I lucked out in getting Kristin Hannah’s brand new release, The Four Winds, a day before publication day through Book of the Month. I declared the rest of the school day to be canceled—my kids had a small celebration at that—and I sat down on the couch under a blanket to begin reading just minutes after I ripped open the box. Friends … it did not disappoint.
This is Kristin Hannah’s most beautiful book yet. I have loved almost everything she’s ever written, The Nightingale being my favorite book of all time. You know, the book I always recommend when anyone asks me for a good book to read. The book I would take to a deserted island and read over and over and over again. But the thing about The Nightingale is that you don’t really completely fall in love with the characters until the very end. And then you want to re-read the whole thing all over again.
But this book!!!!! The Four Winds grips you from the very beginning and never lets you go. I threw my book across the room after the first chapter because I was so angry I could spit. I was already so emotionally invested in the main character that I just wanted to cry. As the book went on, my emotional investment continued to grow.
We are just wrapping up our History Unit on the Great Depression, so I’ve read a lot about this time period over the last few weeks. This book is one of the most captivating historical fiction books I’ve read about the Great Depression. It made me think about things in a way I never had before, and I want to sit around and talk about it with people for days and days and days. I’m missing my Woebegone Literary Society gals so much right now and am tempting an impromptu outdoor book club gathering just for this book. Except it’s winter, so I guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer to discuss.
It is Hannah’s best-written novel from start to finish. She nailed the art of writing with this one. I loved every single moment of it. Even the scenes that made me angry. No, especially the scenes that made me angry.
It goes up there right next to The Nightingale in my list of books everyone should read. Just do it. You won’t be disappointed.