Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me the latest novel by Kristin Hannah. Another 5 star work that will leave you reeling.
It's the 1930s in the Texas Panhandle. Elsa was a sickly child and never lived up to her parents' expectations of beauty first and foremost. When she had even the remote chance of someone thinking she was special, she took it, only to find herself pregnant and cast out of her family. Into that loss entered Tony and Rosa, her in-laws, who eventually came to be more than family. She entered a farming life with her husband, Rafe, and her parents, joined soon by her children, Loreda and Ant. But nature can be cruel and the devastating droughts and the dust storms soon made life inhabitable. There was nothing left but to move to California where supposedly jobs were plentiful and a new life awaited. The reality was much different. Elsa wanted no hand outs but soon discovered that her family was not welcome and completely shunned by the locals. Forced to work as a slave and be forever indebted to the company man left no room for hope. However, for her children, Elsa always did the right thing and was the incredibly strong force for making a better life for her children.
Another absolutely wonderful book by Kristin Hannah. This is a book that will leave you gasping. It's hard to read the struggles that previous generations endured. It's hard to imagine ever having the resiliency and hope where no hope exists that they endured. While it is unbelievable to read about how Americans treated other Americans, when you read the newspaper headlines today, you worry about how much things have really changed. Everyone should read this book and take stock of all that we are blessed with now. Of course, during this pandemic, so many people are sick, dying and losing all that is dear to them. But for so many of us, we should think long and hard the next time we have the thought of complaining about having to stay home with all our creature comforts or to wear a simple face mask when we walk outside.
Highly recommended!
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