Jan Hillsberg

The Four Winds uses the backdrop and struggles of American migrants during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression to discuss love, courage, women's struggles and strength along with tackling significant social issues such as worker's rights, immigration/refugees, and the perils of unchecked capitalism and greed. Hannah models this very closely to The Nightingale - except the heroines are Mother and Daughter not sisters. I really thought this book's main focus was to explore love, particularly the love between mother and child. In terms of reading, this was an easy book to get through, as I flipped the pages wondering how Elsa was going to triumph over the unbelievably difficult life she was given. I learned a lot and was touched by Elsa's courage, tenacity and devotion to her children and those she loved.