October in the Earth

A Novel

By: Olivia Hawker

Narrated by: Jackie Zebrowski

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

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.

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

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.

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.

Great Book

I love this author. Once again, she gave us a Great Book! This very unique story surprised me in a lot of ways. I had never really thought about why, a person became a hobo. To think that someone would choose this way of life. It is incomprehensible. I couldn’t believe that she rode the rails like she did for over 10 years. I was very emotional at the end, in spite of the narrator saying it wasn’t sad.

A Depression Era story

Too long. Really not a happy ending for the main character as she described it. The story left me wondering about some of the historical facts like the code of the hobos. 

Narrator was raspy

The narrator’s voice did not match the main character in my opinion. The story was pretty original. The main character could be a little annoying at times.

Great word choice

The vivid descriptions and the love of the English language was very nice. The story has some great life lessons and what we should learn to love and what love is. Happiness is not always what you think it is. I loved this book and will mark it as one of my favorites.

Interesting

Plot seemed unrealistic. I don’t find major character to be believable without much description of severe struggles of what it wad like to be on the road back then. Seems to have romanticized it quite a bit for the sake of the story especially for women.

Captured my heart and my strong will for women's rights.

The main character had the true red flags and mental health issues that came from dealing with an unfaithful, lying husband. Planning her escape and sticking with it took a much courage as jumping those trains. She took something bad and turned it into a life she truly loved, and found out what true love actually felt like. a sacrificing, honest, gentle and open pure love.

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.