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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I loved The Nightingale by this author, but The Great Alone is every bit as good !! A real page turner with wonderful characters and also a glimpse into PTSD and how it affects a family. The descriptions of life in Alaska will have the reader reaching for a blanket , but wanting to go for a long visit.
Superb character development. Wonderful description of the land and the lifestyle required for survival in the area. Great family story with tragedy and strength for survival. As usual I feel that I know Kristen Hannah’s characters and almost hate to leave them by finishing the book.
Excellent read. I read 2 times and enjoyed each time . Will be discussing at book club next month.
Set in Alaska it was an insight to the place and people living there. It had some unexpected twists that I didn’t see coming. Really enjoyable tead
I loved the way Hannah made Alaska a character in the book. The settings are wonderful, and the characters well-drawn. I highly recommend.
As always Kristin Hannah delivers a book that you can’t put down. It grips you from the beginning to the end. I have read this book twice and it is one I will read again.
I loved this book and the characters in it. I knew people in Alaska were different, but it was eye opening to read how people survived there. I’ve been there and love salmon, but stopped being envious of their right to catch all the salmon they wanted after reading this. Canned salmon doesn’t sound appetizing.
A gripping story of homesteading in 1970’s Alaska that is a coming of age story that explores themes of family dysfunction, PTSD, community, love and the last frontier. Beautifully written!
Love Kristin Hannah but this book never got above sad, depressing and a real downer
Gorgeously rich writing. Complex, multi-layered characters full of shades of gray. Heartbreaking and honest and gritty. Strong characterizations. Great juxtaposition of fast-paced action and quiet scenes.
You’ll fall in love with some characters and complete despise others! Well written and enjoyable to read!
Excellent writing & characters. Wonderful fictional story based on Alaskan living, especially in the winter
I couldn’t put this book down! Proves that you never, ever give up.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What a powerful book about survival in Alaska. Ernt Allbright was a View Nam POW who was left some land and a cabin in Alaska by one of his Army friends. Ernt, his wife Cora and their daughter Leni leave Seattle for life in Alaska. The long dark Alaskan nights prove to be toxic for Ernt who suffers flashbacks from Viet Nam and is abusive to his wife and finally to his daughter. Daughter Leni meets a boy in school, Matthew, which blossoms into love. This is such a wonderful book with a lot of twists, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of love and family situations. I really enjoyed this book.
How dare you Kristin Hannah? You shattered my heart in a million pieces, this was such a powerful read, about a girl who wanted to fit in and her parents that had a toxic relationship, it’s about how bad decisions have bad consequences, about friendship, love and most of all, about how hard and beautiful real life can be, this ain’t a fairy tale, but the experience of this wonderful read, makes this book worth the risk of reading it even if you need a pack of tissues.
Wonderful story and great detail of Alaska. I’d highly recommend!
A story of a family settling in Alaska in the 70’s. Totally unprepared for the hardships. The cold dark winter nights and a father who is damaged after being a POW during the Vietnam war. A powerful book.
Not as interesting as her other books.Nothing surprising.
This was Kristin’s BEST book ever !!!! I learned so much about Alaska and her characters were REAL !!!! This is a MUST READ book.
Hannah is a good writer. I’ve enjoyed all her books and highly recommend this one