I really wanted to love this one, but I struggled to finish it! I think I just wasn't in the mood for it, rather than it being a bad book. The writing was good and interesting, and the plot seemed promising, I just struggled to connect to it.

As poverty sweeps through the United States during the Great Depression, Del is living in comparable luxury as the wife of a celebrated preacher. She's always been told that the church is always right and so are the men. Struggling to come to terms with her husband's repeated infidelity, she sees no other option than to leave the comforts of their home. When one of the many coal trains is running through the valley, she jumps on it.

This is the start of a great adventure, but not without struggles, especially for a woman living a hobo life. She finds a mentor in Louisa, a single mother who has also taken to the rails. Together they find short term work along the rails and live from day to day in utter freedom. Their lives have becomes a fulfilling, sometimes dangerous, and exhilarating adventure. But no matter the risks, it’s a life that Del alone controls, until she doesn't.

It is The Great Depression in the United States, a time of devastating poverty; families torn apart, starvation, crops ruined, no work. Del Wensley, wife of an up and coming End Times preacher knows what is expected of a wife in God fearing Kentucky. When she catches him being unfaithful and learns of repeated indiscretions, she has had enough and takes to the rails, joining the hobo life of those times. Fortunately for her, she meets Luisa who is well schooled in the way of hobo society as she works her way back to the son and uncle she has left behind while she tries to earn money. They form a strong bond, demonstrating that they are more benevolent and charitable than the moneyed class or the pious, hypocritical self proclaimed do gooders.

This is a heart wrenching but hopeful story. Beautifully descriptive, I felt as if I were on those railroad cars, looking out into the changing terrain as the women crisscrossed the America of the 1930s. It was fascinating learning about the hobo culture, poor individuals living a dangerous life, traveling from place to place looking for work and guided by a strict moral code. I loved the evolution of Del from someone who inherently knows there is something wrong with the position in life to which has been prescribed to an independent, clever, self sufficient woman in control of her destiny.

Although reflective of the time in which it was set, I saw this also as an allegory for our times, especially regarding the perceived role of women among religious zealots as well as the gap between the rich and the poor that lives on and the insensitive treatment of those struggling just to make a living.

I wasn’t sure about this book when I read the synopsis, but I am so glad I chose to read it and highly recommend it. Olivia Hawker (pen name) is a captivating story teller.

I have read most of this authors other books and loved them. This book is a bit shorter than the others, but does not lack in depth. Set in depression era Kentucky, it follows Del who has left her preacher husband , due to his infidelity,. She Leaves suddenly and decides to ride the rails in 1931. She meets up with Louisa who teaches her the ways of the rails. the story follows them and covers women's friendships, loyalty, oppression.
The character development is excellent , as usually by this author. Its amazing to watch the development of Del throughout the book. The characters take you up and down the range of emotions. It is also fascinating to read about this time in history and the "code" that hobos lived by.
This author has a gift for writing descriptively without be overly verbose. If you've never read any of her books, this is a good one to start with. Definitely recommend.

October in the Earth
A Novel
by Olivia Hawker
The beautiful, heartbreaking story of the depression era of the U.S. Two woman take to the rails to escape the wrongs, and friendships are made.

Interesting story about the Depression era…a different time period from what I normally read in historical fiction. Del knows her place as a preacher's wife and has always worked hard to be the perfect, traditional spouse. But when she sees another side of her husband, she starts questioning her loyalty and her faith. This leads her to make the rash decision to leave him and everything she’s known. She jumps aboard a train and makes her way out of town. It’s difficult, it’s dangerous…but it’s also extremely freeing in so many ways. She learns a lot about herself and the people she now considers her friends. Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Wonderful book. Heartbreaking and easy to read. Set in depression era USA, we rode the freight rails with a pair of female hobos I fell in love with. About womens oppression and bonds of loyalty, friendship, love and self discovery. Just perfect reading.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction book that takes place “on the rails” during The Great Depression. The main characters and their relationship were well developed, and it was well paced. The author mentions in her note that this is a short book for her, but I think it was perfectly sized! I am huge fan of Olivia Hawker, and will continue to happily read anything she writes!


Thank you very much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

October In The Earth


Del Wensley is the runaway wife of a greedy adulterous preacher. When she cannot tolerate her loveless, unhappy marriage she leaves the only way she feels she can during the 1930s Depression era United States: she gets on a freight train and lives the life of an itinerant worker, commonly known as a hobo. She is befriended by a woman who is wise in the ways of the road, named Louisa Trout.

How Del helps Louisa find her way home, and stands up to her grasping and mean husband makes a gripping and engrossing story.

This is such a beautifully written book about a desperate time in America. Ostensibly, the story is about the accidental yet deep friendship between two women, Del and Louisa, as they ride the rails living as hobos. This is a perilous lifestyle for anyone but particularly for women alone. Louisa couldn't support her young son in Oregon while Del is desperate to escape her preacher husband in Kentucky. Their experiences in the summer of 1931 as they travel in boxcars across America are heartbreaking.

This is also the story of unchecked capitalism, before the reforms of FDR. The disparity between the lives of the wealthy and the working class was obscene. Unimaginable poverty, hunger, and sickness for so many Americans with only marginal help from those who had plenty was infuriating. Del had her own epiphany about Christian charity and the teachings of the church regarding women. We haven't made much progress in these areas in the 21st century. Although this is historical fiction about Depression-era America, it mirrors many of our current issues. A timely read indeed and one I highly recommend. (The release date is October 31, 2023.)

Many thanks to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC. The review and opinions are my own.`

If you’ve ever read a book by Olivia Hawker, it will be no surprise to you that this story, October In The Earth, is superb. She can really tell a story!

Adella Wensley (Del) had a good life as the wife of the most popular preacher in Harlan County, Kentucky. She had a beautiful home and a husband who gave her everything she needed…except his fidelity. Even then, she tried hard to keep her marriage together until more infidelities came to light. Once Del made up her mind to leave, nothing was going to stop her. She hopped on a coal train and rode it to wherever it would take her. Along the way, she meets another hobo, Louisa Trout, and together they move across the country living the transient lifestyle, and Del has never felt more free in her life. Louisa’s goal is to eventually get home to her young child and be a family again. Even during the Great Depression, these two women managed to earn enough money to eat and stay on the move. They grew into a wonderful friendship and kept each other going through thick and thin.

This story is complex and mesmerizing. Del and Louisa’s characters are beautifully well-crafted and their struggles are real. This is a pulsating work of fiction and would make a great movie. This easily deserves 5 stars and I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.

Omg y'all what a story! I love anything that is set in Kentucky! I'm loving this author's stories! She's amazing!
Here's a quote I wanted to share right off the bat
“One day, you realize you’ve got to move on, or you’ll wither up and die where youare. I wish somebody told me sooner there’s better money on the rails than in any town— or, I guess, any city. Not that the money’s good, mind you—nobody’s getting rich. But if you’re willing to hop a train and go wherever it takes you, at least you can get by."
Adella is a wonderful character with lots of grit and she's gullible like me.
I admired her a lot.
My favorite things of course is the setting and was told from Adella's point of view. My 2nd favorite thing was the era this book was set in.
It takes courage and determination along with the right timing of course for an awesome adventure such as this one.
I loved that my grandparents grew up in this era and I enjoyed their stories when I was little.
Henceforth why I love reading stories about this era. To me, these were the Golden years where people learned to reach put and help one another whenever they could. And yes there were unsavory characters in this story too.
My but this book is so so good. Ms..Hawker has done very well with this book.
I think it would be fun hopping the train whenever and wherever you go. That's where the adventure really lies!
Oh and I didn't like ol Irving. He's what ya call a wolf in sheep's clothing. That's all I'll say about him. You'll see what I mean if y'all read this book.
Here's another favorite quote from Adella to Louisa
“Being a lady isn’t all you’ve cracked it up to be. I lived that life you’ve been wanting so badly—well, most of it, anyway; I never had any children.
The whole thing left me cold. It left my heart on the floor for that damned man to walk on. The pretty house, the nice dresses, the motorcar. I had it all—the best of everything, the easy life, not a worry about a thing, not the way most folks worry. It doesn’t make you happy, Louisa, living like a lady. It’s just a different kind of misery. '
Enough said. This little quote sums up life altogether even in today's times.
People are the same throughout time.
This story reminds very much of the Journey of Natty Gahn.
5 star for a deep and rich journey of Hope to find one's self and what it means to truly let go. What a fine story and one that I didn't want to let go of
I hated saying goodbye to Adella but you can be sure that I'm still thinking about her. She's quite a lady fir sure and certain!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.