October in the Earth

A Novel

By: Olivia Hawker

Narrated by: 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.

Critic reviews

“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

Really good

What a good read. Olivia Hawker is an outstanding author I've been following for quite a while. She definitely knows how to write outstanding historical fiction and lays out her characters in such a way that even though you now they are wrong in some of the things they do, you end up liking them and pulling for them. Great book!

Predicable and Mostly Dull

I’ve enjoyed several of Olivia Hawkers books in the past and was looking forward to this work, hoping for a harking back to One for the Blackbird and One for the Crow, but this was not it. I found the writing to be dull and lacking in nuance. The story was predictable in someways and somewhat dull. This could have been a great cross between a type of Grapes of Wrath and the Lincoln Highway, but it missed the mark.

Great listen

The story is original and amazing. The voice acting was very good, I kept imagining Park Overall. Gives a different perspective on the Great Depression from what we have learned. Gives a pretty eye opening look at opportunistic leaches too.

Brilliant prose

Olivia Hawker shines with her lyrical prose and her deep
Story telling. Jackie is the perfect voice for this novel.

Courage, loyalty, independence

I liked it all because instead of focusing on the obvious vulnerabilities and fears associated with a hobo lifestyle, especially for women, the author emphasised the substance, tenacity and loyalty the two main women displayed (to their friendship, to themselves and to their hobo community). Throughout the story the two women held tight to their right to be independent and solo income earners. A compelling storyline set in an historically bleak and gruelling time in the USA.

Narrator was excellent.

How can a woman with little education come up with such a huge vocabulary.Not feasible.

Poetic Storytelling

Hawker tells so much so well! The excellent narration by Jackie Zebrowski makes this story come alive and Hawker’s superb writing puts you right there in the Great Depression riding the rails with Del and Louisa.

Narration is outstanding

The narrator nailed it! In fact, she enhanced the story. Storyline was good, interesting perspective of the early 1930’s in the US. I did have some difficulty with descriptions of situations that more resembled how things are done now vs what they were like then. The phone call descriptions, wiring money, windows painted shut (no AC), etc. These were likely not intentional - but one can’t research something unless they realize it needs to be researched. Overall, I like the story and the presentation was great

I can't remember the last book I enjoyed this much

I didn't want it to end. These women are of an age similar to my mothers at that time. My mother was from a generation that didn't share a lot of their hardships with their children. I found a number of comforting similarities In their lives and where I picked up the history of my mother's. Mom, I Have about a million when we meet again.

Thanks to the author and the narrator for a beautiful presentation.

Stay with it!

Slow start, and I had to increase the listening speed by 20%, but well worth my time by the end. Beautiful story, beautifully told.