Kristin Hannah
Two of the year’s most-anticipated book adaptations (The Nightingale and ÀiyÞ > i) come from bestselling author Hannah, who spoke to Parade about the Fanning sisters bringing her story of the French Resistance to life and her latest novel, The Four Winds (St. Martin’s Press), out Feb. 2.
Set during the Great Depression, the book introduces us to Elsa Martinelli (“probably my favorite character I’ve ever written,” Hannah says), who must decide whether to fight for her
Dust Bowl–ravaged Texas land or migrate west to California for a chance at a better life. “I wanted to write a book that had the emotional impact, message and importance of The Nightingale but was a quintessentially American epic.” What was your inspiration for a Great Depression–era novel?
It was my desire to pay homage and understand the Greatest Generation, and I was blown
away by the resilience and strength of Americans in a time of incredible hardship. I thought that was a story worth telling from a female point of view.
How important is location in your writing? Location really is a character for me. I think that one of my favorite kinds of books, both to read and to write, is where the landscape and the era are inextricable from the story itself.
What’s your favorite recent film adaptation? Jonathan Tropper’s This Is Where I Leave You. The minute I read that book, I thought, This will make a wonderful film. And it did [in 2014].
What books are you most excited about this year? Paula McLain’s When the Stars Go Dark [Ballantine, April 13], We Begin at the End [Henry Holt & Co., March 2] by Chris Whitaker and The Push [Pamela Dorman] by Ashley Audrain, which I thought was a fascinating look at the dark side of motherhood.
What was it like adapting The Nightingale for the big screen? We haven’t seen a lot of female-driven WWII films, so I think it's going to be a really big moment, and Elle and Dakota Fanning are inspired choices to play these sisters.