In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, a desperate family seeks a new beginning in the near-isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature.#1 New York Times Instant Bestseller (February 2018)A People “Book of the Week”Buzzfeed’s “Most Anticipated Women’s Fiction Reads of 2018”Seattle Times’s “Books … Women’s Fiction Reads of 2018”
Seattle Times’s “Books to Look Forward to in 2018”
Alaska, 1974. Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.
In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.
But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own.
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At times, hard to read the cruel treatment but realistic. Informative and well written.
Guess I would give it 3 1/2 stars. Parts of the book I really liked but I didn’t enjoy the ending.
This book ripped my heart out and then replaced it with a larger heart about fifty-three times. It is not an easy read, not by a long shot, but it’s beautiful and original and so deeply empathetic, I’m going to recommend. A testament to how powerful mere words on a page can be. It’s stunning how much those words, when they’re the right ones, can make us care so much about people who don’t exist.
If you like stories about Alaska you will love this book. It gives an honest description of how people who go to Alaska for a new start either fail or make it their home. The book deals with physical abuse, a post POW from Vietnam, and love. It has a lot of twists and turns to the plot which keep you guessing. It is fiction but you will find a lot of truths in the story.
Although the ending was more upbeat the entire book was depressing.
Amazing story of someone who was successful in spite of her upbringing.
Kristin Hannah doesn’t disappoint. She wrote this book from experience, she grew up in Alaska. The story is sad, tragic and inspirational. You’ll love it!
I really enjoy Kristin Hannah but this book was not about Alaska as much as I had hoped. It seemed more about hardship and a woman making the wrong choice about her husband.
Great story about living in isolation in Alaska, and abusive husband and ti what point he drives his submissive wife, and how their daughter grows up under those circumstances.
Not perfect, but an extremely good read.
throughly enjoyed.
Written as though it was for young adults. Shallow and monotonous.
I really enjoy Kristin Hannah’s books and this one does not disappoint! I loved the setting in Alaska and her descriptions of the rugged mountains and brutal winters were incredible! I really enjoyed her descriptions of all her characters and their struggles. I highly recommend this book!
Sad, but a fabulous read. This is a must read for all who like to think of survival under nasty circumstances. Well written!!
As a longtime Alaskan, this book brought back memories of how Alaska life once was for many people. The author caught the flavor of remote Alaska and the people who chose to live there.
Hard to read about such a disfunctional family
This is an excellent book at many levels. It is well written and one that keeps you so connected that putting it down may be an issue. It is highly recommended for a book club book for the authors ability to spark a readers discussion about life in the late 70’s, the last wilderness frontier in the US, women’s issues of identity, parenting and marriage when life hands you challenges you handle with a blind eye, the power of love….I could go on and on but refuse to give any more hints rather than details to safeguard your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
A must read!
I really loved this book. I learned alot about Alaska, the story took place after Vietnam, around the early 1970’s. The characters in the book are so interesting, coming to Alaska from all over, from different walks of life and for all different reasons settling in the Alaska wilderness.
This a well written and interesting book. Harrowing in the depiction of life with a PTSD dad and submissive mother from the view of the daughter. Depicting a real sense of life in Alaska. Well worth the read.