Earlier this year, 30 book groups won the audio version of Kristin Hannah's latest #1 New York Times bestseller, THE FOUR WINDS, which was a "Read with Jenna" Today Show Book Club pick and a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. They were asked to listen to the audiobook, which is read by Julia Whelan, and answer some questions about their experience. We are happy to share their comments with you here. Many thanks to all who took the time to give us such wonderful feedback!

Christine B. of Innuendo Book Club from New Stanton, PA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
We'd rank it an average of 4. We liked it, some more than others.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Yes, it worked on audio. A few members felt that it added to the experience, but a couple prefer a "real" book.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
We all liked the narrator very much. She does a great job!

Was there a favorite character?
We liked several of the characters, mostly Elsa, Loreda and Rose.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
The narrator did a great job with the different voices and tones, and they helped us with the perception of the characters.

 

Cindy B. of Ladies of the Page from Allen, TX

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
As always, when we finish a book, there is a certain sadness that comes over us from having to say farewell to the characters we’ve spent a good deal of time with. We all feel something. And this book was no exception. We decided on a 4 as our overall rating.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The audio feature of the book so enhanced the total experience.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
The narrator, Julia Whelan, did a splendid job of adding the perfect touch, the Italian dialect, to certain characters. She made them come alive, especially our favorite, Elsa.

A few of our older members recounted stories from grandparents about the hardships of the Depression, a truly devastating time in our country. It seemed like one tragedy after another for Elsa and everyone around her. Yet that seemed to only bring Elsa and her children closer together and mold them into strong young adults. “I Owe My Soul to the Company Store,” an old song by Tennessee Ernie Ford, finally took on new and clear understanding. She worked practically for nothing.

Although difficult and sad to read at times, we all were enlightened about a period of time that we hope never returns. Ms. Hannah did a splendid job capturing such an era of hardship.

 

Connie B. of Reading Pages Book Club from Versailles, KY

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Our group really enjoyed THE FOUR WINDS. We all gave it a rating of 4-5. We also thoroughly enjoyed the interview at the end of the audiobook. Very informative!

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The audiobook was very well done. The different character voices were done very well and enhanced the story.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
The different “accents” helped get a better feel for the characters. Also, the narrator had a good voice that was easy to listen to.

Was there a favorite character?
Our group liked Elsa and Loreda, and the personal journey each of them took throughout the book. We also loved how Rose became a mother to Elsa, which she lacked in her life.

 

Denise K. of The Grundy Library Book Club from Bristol, PA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Diane: This was my first experience with an audiobook. I would recommend it to a friend.

Regina: It has been over 20 years since I listened to a book, so I was a bit apprehensive. I walk every day, so I decided to listen as I walked. I found the subject matter to be very depressing, but somewhere towards the middle of the book, I totally changed. I found myself walking for two hours so I could hear more. I gave this a 4 3/4 --- not a 5 only because of how depressed I was when I first started to listen. The characters came to life through the author's writing, and I became emotionally involved in their journey. Don't miss the epilogue and the discussion between the author and narrator!

Renee: As an avid audiobook listener, this was superbly done. I'd rank this book a 4.5. I could feel the sandstorm, the cotton prickles on my hand, and the exhaustion of the cross-country road trip. The writing was on point for sure.

Debbie: I thought the book did a good job presenting the plight of the migrant workers during the Dust Bowl/Depression era from the perspective of a woman and a mother. 

There were some details that were done clumsily. For example, the romantic interactions seem like they were plucked out of a romance novel and really weren't done well. I thought portraying Elsa as an ugly duckling character disparaged by her family was trite, and her eventual romantic triumph was too predictable. I give the book a 4.

Andrea: I rate it a 5 without a doubt. The story is not new, but the character development is superb. I got to know each one personally.

Lisa: Whereas I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book, I didn’t think it was very good in terms of the writing of the fictional story. It was at times ridiculously melodramatic, the characters we met in California were all too stereotyped to be believable, and the lengthy descriptive passages about the family’s Dust Bowl experiences were too disgusting and depressing to sustain my interest. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, I’d give it a 3 (mainly for the history components).

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Regina: The narration was excellent. The story and history came alive with the narration.

Renee: Absolutely. It helps that Julia is a pro at this!

Debbie: It was okay as an audiobook but moved too slowly. Some readers read faster and faster, which is very annoying, but this reader seemed to read more slowly than necessary. It was not annoying, but the book took a lot longer to listen to than it would have been to read. I don’t think that the audio added to the experience of the book.

Andrea: This was my first audiobook experience. I'm a fast reader, and the audio slowed me down, which I surprisingly enjoyed. Some days when I couldn't stop listening, it was such a treat to keep listening in my car. I'm looking for another audiobook.

Lisa: This was my first time listening to an audiobook, and I didn’t read the novel in hardcover. So I can’t say if the audiobook “worked” or not, or if it added to the reading experience. Fifteen hours was too long for me to spend in this kind of activity. When I’m reading, I feel as though I’m doing something, but here I felt like I needed to occupy myself with some mindless task while listening so as to justify spending the time (I got a lot of housework done!).

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Diane: I thought the narrator did a great job with the different voices. I always knew who was talking.

Regina: Julia Whelan did a great job with the different voices. There were a few times when I thought maybe someone else was reading that character. She provided depth and context throughout.

Marty: Julia Whelan did a very good job. The different voices and tones were used effectively.

Renee: I always prefer multiple narrators, but Julia did all the characters superbly.

Debbie: I think the reader "fit" the character well if "fit" the character means that the reader portrayed the characters faithfully.

Andrea: She did a great job portraying their personalities and character. I especially enjoyed her conversation with Kristin Hannah at the end of the book.

Lisa: The narrator was excellent! She distinguished the different characters extremely well. I never had any trouble knowing who was talking, and the various voices felt appropriate to the characters.

Denise: I thought Julia Whelan was a great narrator for this book. Her ability to change her voice to fit each character was amazing. I don't really like to listen to such a long audiobook when I can read it in half the time. But as a couple of our commentators pointed out, it works great listening while in the car or while walking.

Was there a favorite character?
Regina: My favorite character is Elsa. Elsa's grit, determination, bravery, spirit and love of her children and the land will stay with me.

Marty: My favorite characters were Ant, who was adorable, and Elsa, who made my heart break.

Renee: I love Tony and Rose the best. It took me a long time to like Loreda. Elsa wasn't my favorite.

Debbie: Loreda was my favorite character because I thought she was realistically done. She could be irritating and impulsive, but that seems typical of an energetic adolescent who has strong convictions.

Andrea: I have so many favorites: Elsa, Loreda, Tony and Rose. If I had to pick one, I would say Elsa. I finished the book several weeks ago, and I'm still missing her.

Lisa: I didn’t really like any of the characters. They all felt too flat and clichéd. I guess the immigrants Tony and Rose were the best of the lot, as I found it interesting that Hannah chose to make them Italian. Most of the time when you read about Italian immigrants, they are in New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans or San Francisco --- big cities, not the prairies, or anywhere in Texas --- so that gave the book some originality.

Denise: My favorite character was Elsa. Her drive and determination to find a better life for herself and her children was inspiring.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Renee: Julia did this very well, and I appreciated learning about how she tackles narrating books at the end of the story.

Debbie: The reader did the women reasonably well, but she really didn't effectively do the men. The different voices and tones did not impact my perception of the characters.

Andrea: Yes, I think so. Since this was my first, I have no comparison, but I got to know each character as individuals.

Lisa: The narrator’s use of different voices was extremely effective. However, they probably impacted my perception of the characters negatively as listening to Southern accents for hours on end can be trying for Northerners. I went to college in the South and had a really hard time with that.

 

Denise N. from Rockville, MD

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Our group had very different takes on the book. Most of us gave it something in the 3–4 range, with one person really disliking it. We all thought it was a tough read because it was largely joyless. Elsa’s life was so relentlessly sad; we were rooting for her to have some happiness.

Things people liked the most: the history of the period and the knowledge gained from reading the account. There were so many stories in the book, and each one of them could be its own book. (We all did lots of “googling” after reading the book, as we wanted to know more.) Those of us who especially like Hannah’s books count on her to write strong women, and we found one in Elsa. Those of us who love to cry as we read were also not disappointed!

Things people liked the least: the book over-told the story in some ways, describing everything in too much detail, leaving little to the imagination.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Some in the group turned to the physical book because they found it took too long to “read” the book over audio. One had never listened to an audiobook, and has since read about 10 books that way. Several people mentioned they would read further books that way.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Since most of the book was from Elsa’s point of view, the narrator was a good fit. You could imagine easily her excitement as a young girl making a dramatic decision to be bold. You could feel her standing at Rafe’s home, knowing her father was disowning her and not knowing what was ahead. With tiny inflection changes, Whelan made easy differences that gave cues to inner feelings.

Was there a favorite character?
Our group LOVED Rose, Rafe’s mother. (Rose was the person in the book who validated Elsa and really loved her. She could have shut her out but instead chose to love her as a daughter.) Some really loved Laredo and her story arc. There was group love for the strong portrayal of women generally in the book.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
The main character was solid throughout. Some of the foreign accents seemed caricaturish. Lareda’s voice could be annoying, but that can be true of the voice of a teenage girl. “Ant” sounded as if he were permanently four years old.

 

Helen B. of Lionesses from Buffalo, NY

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
All but one out of 10 enjoyed the book, and we gave it a 4 out of 5 rating. One member gave it a 1 out of 5. Many of us thought the book was a challenge to read. The subject matter of poverty, peril and misery during America’s Dust Bowl was tough going. The group made a commitment to listen to the book, and all but one were glad we did. The characters triumphed over adversity, and we rejoiced in that.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Most members thoroughly enjoyed the audio aspects of the book. The narrator, Julia Whelan, is excellent. Some of the members are familiar with her and enjoy listening to her narrations. However, two members did not like her and would have rather read the printed version of the book.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Most members thought that each persona came through very clearly. We were impressed by how well the narrator portrayed people of different ages.

Was there a favorite character?
Five members selected Elsa, three picked Rose, one went for Jack, and one chose Laredo.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
One member, Sharon, said, “Outstanding use of voices and tones.” Another member, Joan, answered, “Julia Whelan’s voice portrayed the individual voices without prejudice. I thought the narrator did an excellent job with the character’s voices.” Another member said that “the narrator did a masterful job. Elsa’s exhausted character spoke so slowly; Ant spoke quickly and with excitement in his voice.” Another member said that the changes in Rose, from her disgust with Elsa at the outset to her tenderness with Laredo at the end of the book, were impressive.

 

Jeanna H. of Book Club Sisters from Raleigh, NC

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
We liked the story. There were some parts that felt like they dragged a bit in the middle, but overall it was well written. We would rank it as a 4 on a scale of 1-5.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
It did work on audio! However, we aren't sure it added or took away from the experience of the book. Pretty neutral feelings here.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
We thought the narrator fit the personas well and effortlessly switched between voices and accents. We like Julia Whelan as a narrator.

Was there a favorite character?
Most of us like Rose, or Rose and Tony best. Elsa was a runner-up.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
We did think different voices and tones were used effectively. There was a good bit of dialogue in the book, so it was helpful that the narrator did the voices to distinguish who was talking. They didn't strongly impact our perception of the characters, though the Italian accents were helpful reminders of the heritages of those speaking and reminders that they were immigrants trying to make it in America.

 

Jill D. of Dodson Book Club from Plymouth, MI

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
I must say that THE FOUR WINDS lived up to the hype. It is beautifully written and has such great descriptions that it is impossible not to feel as if you are experiencing this time in history as well. The story pulls the reader in, and you become invested in the life of Elsa, the main character, and her daughter, Loreda. Taking place during the Depression and the Dust Bowl, and then the migrant workers' plight in California, we see the courageous journey of a woman who thought she was anything but that.

All her life, Elsa was told she did not measure up. She was not pretty enough, smart or courageous. She was treated by her family as a child and taught to live her life in the shadows. Through her journey, she rises above that when she becomes a mother and finds unconditional love from her children. She is tenacious in her fight to protect them and provide the best life she could. Elsa is resilient and strong as she faces hardship after hardship. As the reader, you rooted for her to see that she really was courageous and worthy. However, at times, I admit that I needed to take a break because the story was so heart-wrenching. I would rank this book a 5 out of 5.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
After hearing the book, I think that the audiobook format helped me to experience the book in a different way but also allowed me to create images in my mind as if I were reading the actual words. I felt that this format helped the characters and story come to life.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Having never listened to an audiobook, I was not sure what to expect. However, I found that I could lose myself into the story. Julia Whelan, the narrator, portrayed the characters so well. The characters are well developed and more so as the narrator gives voice to them in a way that I could feel their personalities and experience their emotions. It seemed as if the female characters in this book all shared the same characteristic of strength, where by contrast the male characters were far weaker.

Was there a favorite character?
While I admire the warrior that Elsa was, my favorite character was Rose because she became the mother that Elsa needed and gave her unconditional love and the kindness that Elsa needed. She believed in Elsa and taught her how to be a wife, a mother, and to stand up for herself and have hope. Additionally, Rose recognized and accepted responsibility for the flaws in her son, whom Elsa married. Elsa knew that home was where Rose and Tony were. I wept at the end of Chapter 16 when Elsa and the children left them for California. I think I enjoyed the first part of the book set in the Dust Bowl more, but I realize that in order to understand the times in California, the story of Elsa’s life in Texas had to be told first.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Julia Whelan’s performance of the many characters was well done. Characters were easily distinguishable when they appeared. There was one part where all of a sudden Elsa’s father spoke as she questioned why she would hear his voice in her head, noting that this happened when she doubted herself. I knew immediately that this was what was happening in the book because Whelan captured his contempt. In addition, the narrator was able to convey the anguish in Elsa’s life when she spoke, the anger in Loreda as she was frustrated over the workers’ plight, and the despair in Jean’s voice but also the kindness. This helped me to understand the characters well.

We really enjoyed THE FOUR WINDS and would recommend it to other book clubs as well.

 

Judy S. of So Many Books, So Little Time from Dobson, NC

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
All eight members rated this a 5! While not really what we would call an enjoyable book, it was very enlightening. We learned so much about the Dust Bowl and the harsh realities faced during this time. Kristin Hannah just has a special way with words! We all had emotional responses to THE FOUR WINDS. One of our members said it was the best book she had ever read!

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Our group had mixed feelings on this. Four of our members were listening to an audiobook for the first time. We all agreed that the voices helped us to feel the characters’ emotions. We felt hot, tired and dusty along with them. Two of our members read the book and listened to the audio.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Everyone felt Julia did a great job fitting the characters. The characters came across convincingly. We all enjoyed the narrative at the end telling more about Julia.

Was there a favorite character?
We had different responses to this one. Most of us felt that Elsa was our favorite. How she rose from feeling like a nobody to being a warrior made for a wonderful story. But Loreda and Rose were also strong characters we admired.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Yes, the voices were used effectively, especially Elsa, Rose and Loreda. Jack’s voice was the only one we felt could have fit better. The emotion Julia uses in speaking was very effective. We were all in awe of how she could do so many different voices!

We all loved the interviews at the end of the audiobook. They brought the book even more alive!I believe there will be more audiobooks in our book club’s future.

 

Karen P. of UD Readers from Ambler, PA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
My group rated it 3.5 stars. Overall, we liked the book and found the history and characters interesting. It could have used more editing, as some parts were repetitive.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Yes, the audio was excellent. It brought the characters alive.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Julia Whelan was a fabulous narrator, making the characters come alive.

Was there a favorite character?
Our group was divided on this: #1 Elsa, #2 Rose, #3 Ant.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Yes. Great dramatic reading. We could really picture the characters.

 

Laura A. of Blackey Library Book Club from Jeremiah, KY

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Collectively we all really liked the book. Most of us loved it. The ranges of rankings were 3.5 to 5 with 4 being the average.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
We loved the audio. We all thought it added to the book experience.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
We all loved the narrator and thought she fit the personas of the characters perfectly.

Was there a favorite character?
Our favorite character was the most obvious one: Elsa. Our second favorite was Rose.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
We thought the narrator's different voices and tones were used very effectively. We were unsure of whether or not they impacted our perception of the characters.

 

Laura M. of The Saturday Night Book Club from Cleburne, TX

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
It was a good kind of rollercoaster ride. We rate it a 4.5.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
It did. Some of us experienced both the audio and the traditional book, and we found the audio to be a better experience.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Ms. Whelan did an excellent job as a voice actor.

Was there a favorite character?
Rose

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
The different voices were used effectively, with the exception of Ant, who seemed to be a perpetual whiner. They always impact our perception of the characters.

 

Lilas M. of The Novel Bunch Book Club from Knoxville, TN

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
We all loved the book and agreed that it was a 5. The book was well researched. We felt like we lived through the Dust Bowl period. The conversation with the author and the narrator was also informative.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Audiobooks, with an excellent narrator such as Julia Whelan, help the listener get involved with the storyline almost immediately. The characters were easily distinguished.

Was there a favorite character?
Elsa, Rose and Laredo seemed to share the spotlight.

 

Linda C. of Booktini Babes from Melbourne, FL

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
My group, Booktini Babes, LOVED this book! We had our first regular in-person meeting in over a year and had a great time catching up and discussing the book at a local Italian restaurant. Overall, we gave THE FOUR WINDS a 5 out of 5!

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The story worked well on audio once we became accustomed to the narrator’s manner and style.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Again, once we listened for a bit, we felt that the narrator did a good job with the representation of the characters.

Was there a favorite character?
We had several different responses for this one! A natural favorite was the main character, Elsa, but we also loved Rose and Loreda.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
I always find that when I listen to a book rather than read it myself, the narrator’s choices have an impact on how I view the characters. It sets a slightly preconceived idea in my mind, similar to when I see a movie or show before reading the book. However, the narrator was a good choice for this book, and overall we all enjoyed it!

 

Linda S. of St. Stephen Book Club from Sandusky, OH

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
We rated the book between a 4 and a 5. One member commented that it was a well-crafted story about the Dust Bowl era and the Great Depression, a period not usually covered by the historical fiction they choose.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
For some, this was the first audiobook that they experienced. They mentioned that although it was lengthy, it kept their attention and was a good source of entertainment. They felt the audio version most likely enhanced the reading experience.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
The narrator did a good job of identifying the characters with accents and dialects, which made them believable. We would listen to another audio selection with Julia Whelan as the narrator. One member felt that there was not enough differences in the children's voices.

Was there a favorite character?
Each of the primary characters were interesting, but this is the story of Elsa's physical and emotional journey through time. We unanimously felt that Elsa was our favorite character.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
We felt that Julia Whelan's vocal characterizations were recognizable enough to keep the principal characters separated and meaningful in the story dialogue. It didn't seem to impact the perception of the characters. There were a few members who were not willing or did not have a device to download the audiobook. We have several members who expressed that they much rather would have the physical book. This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to try something new. Our group wanted me to be sure to thank you for gifting us a different way to enjoy our favorite hobby of reading.

 

Mary A. from West Roxbury, MA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Overall our book club really enjoyed the book. There were a couple of members who didn’t love it, but that was mainly due to the sad storyline. We ranked it a 4 on a scale of 1-5.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The members who listened to it really enjoyed it. None of us had listened to a book before but were pleasantly surprised with the experience.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Julia Whelan does a fabulous job with the voices of all the characters. It really added to the story and being able to picture what the characters looked like. The accents that she gave to Rose and Tony were spot-on. Also, she did a great job with changing the voices of the male and female characters.

Was there a favorite character?
It was hard to pick one favorite, so we rated our top three characters: Elsa, Jack, Loreda. 

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Yes, the voices that Julia did were great. They were done very well, so we were able to visualize what they looked like and picture the surroundings of the story.

 

Mary Lou H. from New Castle, CO

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
The beginning was a bit laborious, although it provided the history of Elsa. Several of us thought that the story was too long. But we did like that it portrayed the strength of several female characters. Overall, we ranked it 3.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The audio was good; we liked hearing the “characters.” What was interesting is that only two out of the nine book club members have listened to audiobooks previously, so this was a first for all the others.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
SHE WAS EXCELLENT! It was also interesting to hear the interview with her at the end.

Was there a favorite character?
We couldn't agree on one, so we have two: Jack and Laredo. Jack, because most of our members are progressives, so he brought a great twist to the story. Laredo, because she finally stopped disliking her mother and became a strong voice for justice.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Yes, the voices and tones were quite effective, although we didn't think they changed our perception of the characters. It just added to the overall presentation.

Some other observations: We didn't like that Anthony's abbreviated name was “Ant.” Why did Elsa have to die, especially since she found her voice? One of our book club members was in Dalhart, TX several years ago riding out a tornado in a saloon!

 

Melanie S. of Newport Bay Book Club from Boca Raton, FL

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
GT: I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would rate it a 4.
LW: It’s difficult for me to rank the book numerically as I would give the writing one number (4 or 5) and the story another (perhaps 3 or 4).
CS: 5
CL: I would rank THE FOUR WINDS a 10 on a scale of 1-5! I rank it as one of the best and most moving books I have ever read!
MS: I thought it was a terrific book. I would rate it a 4.5.

Did the story work for you on audio?
GT: It worked well. I listened while walking my dog and while painting a room, which was very convenient.
LW: The audio story did work for me.
CS: I did not like the audio. After 70 pages I switched over to reading the book. Perhaps since this was my first Audible, I have to get used to the format.
CL: This was my first audiobook experience, and I loved it. I thought the narrator did an excellent job and really helped make the characters come alive.
RH: I really did not like the audiobook, so I downloaded the book. To me it felt like someone was reading a book to me in school. I did enjoy THE FOUR WINDS.
MS: Julia Whelan did a great job with the audio and differentiating all the different voices. She is a consummate audiobook narrator!

Did it add to the experience of the book?
GT: I am not sure it added anything as I feel I would have liked the book just as much if I had read it myself.
LW: Ultimately, it did enhance the experience of the book (I loved walking, etc. while listening).
MS: I think listening to the characters’ voices brought them to life more than just imagining what they would sound like.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
GT: I think the narrator did an excellent job. I have listened to other books and found some narrators very annoying, so much so that I didn’t finish the book.
RH: Initially, I was very impressed that the narrator was able to switch from character to character so well and so seamlessly. For some reason, I never imagined that hearing many voices --- literally --- would be a part of this audiobook. I guess I hadn’t given it much thought and, somehow, expected to hear only one voice.
LW: Julia’s voices did fit the characters’ personas.
CS: I found the narrator to be annoying. Her voice actually grated on me. I could not relate to the different characters. It seemed put on.
MS: She is a gifted narrator!
CL: Julia Whelan used voices and tones very effectively. Her voices and intonations truly made the characters come alive and helped readers feel that they knew each character along with their strengths and vulnerabilities.

Was there a favorite character?
GT: Elsa, obviously, but I also enjoyed Loreda, too.
LW: Of course, Elsa was my favorite character.
CS: I think Loreda was my favorite character.
CL: Although it is hard to pick a “favorite,” I have to say that Elsa really stole my heart. I loved the development of her character from a young woman who never felt loved into a confident “warrior” who found true love and fought valiantly for her children.
MS: Elsa and Loreda were equally my favorites.

Were different voices and tones used effectively?
GT: They were used very effectively.
LW: For the first quarter of the book I enjoyed Julia’s performance tremendously. Then, when other characters were added --- when Elsa and the kids arrived in CA --- the narration sort of bothered me. Trying to follow the many new voices got in the way a bit. I felt I was working to keep track of who was who. Julia is incredibly gifted, so it certainly was not because of her performance. But further into it, I became used to the group of characters in the book, and once again I began not to think about how many voices there were.
CS: I found the voices and tones off-putting.
MS: She did a great job with tone and accent to create the characters’ voice.

Did they impact your perception of the characters?
GT: Somewhat, mainly by use of accents.
MS: They definitely gave a clearer picture of the character.

 

Paula B. from Boynton Beach, FL

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
100% of the group loved the book. A definite 5!! It is the fourth Kristin Hannah book that we have read.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
For one member, this was her first experience listening to a book, and she loved it. She said that the author/narrator did an excellent job portraying all of the characters and making you feel like you were there.

Was there a favorite character?
Most of us chose Loreda as a favorite character. She was strong-willed and a leader. I personally voted for Elsa for HER strength and determination to protect her children and TRY to give them a better life by leaving the farm. No one liked Tony, and we all wished there was a little more information on where he ended up.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
The voices were extremely effective in helping with the tone of the book. Julia Whelan did a wonderful job with intonation. The writing and vocal presentation were so good that you could relate to the characters and the conditions of the time.

 

S. A. from New Milford, CT

What did you think of THE FOUR WINDS? And how would you rank it on a scale of 1-5
We all enjoyed THE FOUR WINDS and rated it 4 1/2 stars on our librarything.com account. One member researched the Dust Bowl, and we all agreed that Kristin did a great job fictionalizing the real-life experiences of people who had gone through it.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
Overall the group enjoyed the audio experience. This was the first audiobook for one member who loved the story but would not listen to another audiobook. Another member who prefers print started it and then bought the hardcover. Two members who usually choose audio loved the book and were very pleased with the audiobooks app. They currently have Audible subscriptions and liked the notes feature that isn't available to them. They said that it was one of the best audiobooks that they've ever listened to. Two members absolutely loved the audio. The remaining two enjoyed the book but felt that it would have been better in print.

We all thought that the story was very visual. During the dust storms, listeners felt like they were experiencing the overwhelming fear for real. One member even mentioned feeling like she had dirt in her eyes and mouth!

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
We felt that Julia inhabited the characters well, bringing them to life for us. We did wonder if there would be a miniseries or movie deal for the book, and if so, whether or not the actors cast could do as well. We all had an easy time following the story since the voice characterizations that Julia used were unique to each character.

Was there a favorite character?
If forced to choose one favorite character, it would be Elsa, but they were all written well. Rosa and Loreda would both be in the running for our second choice. Rosa, for the love she showed Elsa; Loreda, as a maturing adolescent character.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Julia was a great "actress." Each character had a unique voice, and her narration gave each of them life. You experienced their emotions as they lived through those hard times. It's difficult to know if we would have had the same perception of the characters without reading a print edition beforehand. The member who switched to the hardcover had already listened to enough of the audio that her perception of the characters was already set. Another member thought that the book was so well written that it probably wouldn't have changed her feelings about them.

 

Simonne C. of Avid Readers from South Dartmouth, MA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5? We had a variety of answers, from 1 (because it was so very sad) to 4+ with the majority of ladies saying 4.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
One member recognized Julia Whelan from another book that she did not particularly like and had a hard time getting past that. This was another member's first experience with audio, and she didn't like the experience, abandoned the audio version and bought the hardcover. The rest of the members thought the audio version added so much more to the story than just reading it. You could feel the characters' anguish and worry with the wonderful narration.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
All agreed: Good job!

Was there a favorite character?
Amazingly (to me), four members said Rosa because she was so strong and practical. Also because she recognized Rafe's weakness in character and came to truly love and appreciate Elsa. Elsa was the second favorite (and my #1), and one member loved Jeanne. One member really disliked Tony because he was so stubborn in holding onto the farm and resisted the government's suggestions for too long.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Yes, for sure. We were all grateful to learn so much about a period of our history that we knew so little about previously. Certainly, the Dust Bowl was never reviewed properly in school, and since we are native New Englanders, we have no family history of it. The immigration to California and camp life there was news to all of us. The bleakness of Elsa's situation was truly overwhelming. It’s a great read, but so very sad to know it is based on real history.

 

Stacy S. of Chapter Chicks Book Club from Conway, SC

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
Our book club really enjoyed THE FOUR WINDS and would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. The only negative for a few of us was that it was somewhat sad.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
We loved the audio and thought we were really able to connect to the characters through the narration.

Was there a favorite character?
My favorite character was definitely Elsa. She was an amazingly strong woman and mother.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
Different voices and tones were great, and I think they helped connect us to the different character personalities.

 

Terry N. from Westlake Village, CA

What did your group think of THE FOUR WINDS? How would you rank it on a scale of 1-5?
The opinions and ratings are varied among the 10 members of our book club. While most awarded the book an overwhelming 5, others were not as generous. It ranked an odd 3.8, so I will round it up to a 4.

Each listener was aware of the Dust Bowl era in our country but not to the extent that the author detailed, specifically the extreme and overwhelming hardships and treatments of the migrant workers. The desperate dislocation of these hardworking families, their search for a better existence only to find prejudice and discrimination and harsh treatment from their own government, spoke to every listener. The criticism mostly lay in the length of the book and the time spent on what seemed liked endless desperation. Most of us were disappointed in the ending.

Did the story work for you on audio? Did it add to the experience of the book?
The audio experience proved to be almost an experiment for our book club. When I first proposed doing this, a couple of our members flat-out refused as they will only read a “real” book. Of the 10 who participated, one confessed she switched back and forth from audio to reading. Two members always read but wanted to try the audio experience. They’ve come to the conclusion that they are not fans of audio. The remainder of the group do both on a regular basis. Two of us, myself included, always have two different books going at the same time, one on audio and the other a “real” book. The eight who are used to audiobooks did enjoy the experience and felt it was enhanced.

How well does the narrator, Julia Whelan, “fit” the characters’ personas?
Those of us who are seasoned audio listeners tend to “try” out a narrator before committing to a listen. They felt Julia’s performance helped them stay with the book when sections became too long. She helped them to picture the scenes more vividly and brought the emotions out in the listener, a couple of us to tears.

Was there a favorite character?
The majority chose Elsa as their favorite character. Loreda resonated with others. One particularly loved Nonna Rosa as the iconic matriarch and wise woman.

Were different voices and tones used effectively? Did they impact your perception of the characters?
I understand how much work and prep the narrator takes prior to their recording. Most felt Julia did a great job aligning their imagination to each character. From the desperation of Elsa to Loreda’s frustration with her mom and her unchecked adoration of her father, they would seek Julia out as a narrator for future listens.