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October in the Earth

By: Olivia Hawker
Narrated by: Jackie Zebrowski
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Publisher's summary

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.
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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

What listeners say about October in the Earth

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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good book.

I was entertained by this book but it didn’t hold many surprises. Overall it was a good read and didn’t contain a lot of cursing which I always appreciate. I think most people would like it.

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12 people found this helpful

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excellent story

great writer, made me feel like I was riding the rail
along with the women. Hope to read more from this author

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3 people found this helpful

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A stunning story

Performed beautifully. Enjoyed every minute. I was riding the rails along with these strong women, feeling their emotions and experiencing America as a hobo during the depression.

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

interesting story

the story line was fascinating and the performance very good. it was an interesting listen

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  • Overall
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As unique as it was interesting.

Whenever I listen to a great story, I can never move on to another until I spend time rehashing the things that made it such a memorable experience. As I went through the process with this book, my initial disappointment in the ending changed to a better understanding of why this story had the perfect ending.

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  • Overall
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The ending !

This story’s was so captivating. It brought back a feeling of nostalgia and excitement, I recommend this one!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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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!

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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.

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Brilliant prose

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

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    3 out of 5 stars
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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.

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