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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Original story telling at its best. Loved this book so much I bought one to give as a gift. Highly recommend reading this one.
I couldn’t put this down. Mesmerizing. Some of it is hard to read, but what an adventure.
I was so excited when this book came out as I am a huge fan of Kristin Hannah. Her lyrical style of writing makes each book a treasure to read. I always miss her characters long after the story has ended. I gave it 4 stars because the ending was predictable but didn’t take away from the rest of the story.
Alaska! What a way to learn about the last frontier. Leni is a young girl who never fit in with other girls in the lower 48. Her father suffers from his Vietnam POW days, he was like a ticking time bomb. Then put of the blue he learns a fellow soldier had willed him his cabin and acreage in Alaska. The family is excited and off to begin their new adventure and start over. They discover all the beauty of Alaska, the helpful community who is always there to help out, and finally the dangers that hide just around the corner. Wonderful book, couldn’t put it down.
This book A good offers a description of what it was like to live “off the grid” in the earlier years in Alaska and the toughness that was required by a diverse group of individuals who went there to run away from something or run to the great adventure. The author depicts a highly disfunctional family whose lives become scary and dangerous as the POW husband/father’s drinking and PTSD are picqued by the seasonal darkness in this remote environment. I thought there were some weaknesses in the ending, but all in all a good read.
This is my Kristin Hannah book and again I feel in love with her gritty characters. Set in early Alaska, the harrowing story of love, loss and hard-learned lessons is one that anyone can relate too. This book reminds us where we come from and how important it is to take control of where we are going. A great read for anyone who loves epic romances. Similar feels as Retreat To Me (The Second Chance Romance Series Book 1) The Nightingale Kristin Hannah
I loved this book. I loved the interesting characters & learned so much about the Alaskan wilderness of the 70’s. It captivated me!
Great summer read. Grew up in 70’s and totally relatable.
It rang true about how difficult it is in Alaska and also the terrible trials of a woman’s love for an abuser
I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning but I’m glad I stuck with it, as this turned out to be a great book!
One of the best
Set in a remote area of Alaska, beauty and evil dwell side-by-side.
I listened to this on audio. Story started off good but then seemed to drag. Reader’s voice, though clear, seemed to drone on & on after awhile to the point I had a hard time finishing. Not a fan of this book – can’t recommend.
I like that it was set in Alaska and leaned how they managed life there along with a great story line
I can’t wait to see the movie!
Very descriptive of Alaska- could picture the beauty, the winter, the characters, the hard life, and the primitiveness of it. The ending felt a little contrived but the rest of the book more than made up for it
Typical Kristin Hannah form. She reels you in on page one and keeps you intrigued to the end. Amazing story if love, loss and the struggle of families that have someone with PTSD.
A terrific story about a family escaping to Alaska and the difficulties they face both within and without. What a great read. Could barely put it down.
not my favorite read. very depressing. the story ends better than I thought it would though, but I know people that loved the book!
So interesting how people survive regular daily living in the “wilds” of Alaska. Brutal and beautiful.