October in the Earth

A Novel

De: Olivia Hawker

Narrado por: Jackie Zebrowski

In Depression-era Kentucky, a defiant wife embarks on an impulsive and liberating journey in a powerful novel by the bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow and The Ragged Edge of Night.

Del Wensley, wife of the most celebrated preacher in Harlan County, tries to mind her place. Until her husband’s infidelity pushes an already strained marriage to a breaking point. Clinging to her last hope for self-respect, Del turns her back on the rigid life she’s known. A coal train is rolling through the valley. With her eyes wide open to the unfamiliar, and to the freedom she craves, Del takes to the rails.

Rumbling across America, Del is soon drawn into a transient community among outcasts—and finds a special friend in Louisa Trout. A nomadic single mother, Louisa teaches Del the ways of the boxcars and promises to help her reach a migrant enclave where Del can learn the skills she’ll need to survive. But as they move forward together under desperate circumstances, even the closest of bonds threatens to break.

With the Depression taking its toll, Del must gather her strength and faith. As she carries on toward one unknown after another, her life becomes a fulfilling, sometimes dangerous, and exhilarating adventure. But no matter the risks, it’s a life that she alone controls.

©2023 Libbie M. Grant writing as Olivia Hawker. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Time and place are exceptionally well depicted, and the strong female characters make this a worthy read.”—Booklist

“This is a fully realized portrait of an era, as well as of a relationship between two women where no male heroes appear to save anyone.”—Historical Novels Review

“Fans of Olivia Hawker will delight in her masterful new novel. October in the Earth is a singular work of art—a testament to unexpected love and resilience during one of America's most challenging eras. Hawker's Dust Bowl heroines rise from their respective ashes, and will captivate readers with their spirited, sweeping journey through a starkly beautiful landscape ravaged by poverty and drought. Moving, lyrical, and completely unforgettable.”—Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain

Lovely

Spoiler alert: if you need a happy ending this isn't your book. But if you can handle a bittersweet conclusion to a beautiful story you should certainly try this one. Think Thelma and Louise, circa 1933 (only it's Della and Louisa-- intentionnal?).

rich personal and historical

It took a while for me to get over the narrator. She eventually grew on me but I still think it should have been a different narrator. The story was sweet and moving.... Will leave you thinking about it long after the book is over. And that's the proof it was a good story.

Friendship and love

Exciting filled with love honesty I must read I must listen I’ve never heard of this author, but she is incredible

Gentle story of hard times.

Well told story always moving forward. Interesting take on love and friendship. Depression era history is brutal, but Hawker made it readable and not crushing. Enjoyed it.

Life on the Rails

I wonder if I could ever be as strong as this woman. To choose homelessness or living on the rails in this case. I loved that the hobos looked out for each other and had a code of conduct. It takes fortitude to choose this life.

Enjoyable

Reminded me how blessed my life has been and to have compassion for others and their struggles 

Left me feeling melancholy

October in the Earth was quite a bit different than Olivia Hawker’s book”One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow”, which was an epic story of human love, endurance and survival that left one with a feeling of hope and a belief in humanity. OITE left me feeling sad for the protagonist, despite what Hawker had Del claim to be a happy ending. The romance of a hobo’s life is a fiction that no amount of allegory could offset.

Brave, strong woman

The characters were fully developed, as was the plot. I was rooting for the main character early on. I share her joy of seeing changing vistas, though I prefer I more conventional transportation. It is also a story of deep friendship between two women. I highly recommend this book!.

This is a different read

It was a surprising storyline. I have not read much about the Great Depression. This book had great insight and an entertaining story

Compelling and beautiful story!

I really enjoyed this tale of these wonderful strong women! I learned a lot about what it must have been like to live during the Great Depression. I highly recommend this book!

The narrator's voice took a bit of getting used to; sometimes her voice seemed a little too modern for the story, but overall I think she did a wonderful job portraying the characters!