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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Written in the style of Nightingale bur with less dynamic characters
I am an avid reader so I have read many wonderful books. But presently i am reading the Great Alone and find it very different from most books I have read. It’s a long book but hard to put down and so realistic it could be anyone’s story in the time frame it is written in.
Great book, very believable and well developed characters. If you don’t know much about Alaska be prepared to learn! This book is another excellent piece of fiction by Kristin Hannah, well researched and well written.
All of Kristin Hannah’s books are excellent. My husband and I both read this one and found it a wonderful story. Unbelievable how tough the people in Alaska, especially early Alaska were. I admired the main character for her strength and love. Good book
I loved this book
I learned so much about living off the grid in Alaska! What powerful characters! A must read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book
The first thing that strikes me when reading any of Kristin Hannah’s books, are her incredible descriptions. She is a very descriptive writer and she has a way of making you see exactly what she describes. The Great Alone is a gripping book. At various stages, you can love and hate the same characters. Set in the wilds of Alaska, it’s a story of a young girl not only having to overcome the harshness and danger of Alaska, but other dangers too. It’s a tapestry of family life, and living rough. It’s a page turner with love stories loosely braided into it. I highly recommend this book, as I do most of Kristin Hannah’s books.
Kristine Hannah is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her books and her newest did not disappoint. I loved the setting and the characters so much. If you have never read any of her books..get started.
Against the backdrop of Alaska in the 1970s, the reader follows a family escaping life in the turbulent continental USA. However, they find life in Alaska challenging, especially as the father is a Vietnam POW vet who has become abusive. Many varied themes are interwoven in this book–spousal abuse, coming of age, living in the wilderness before the age of cellphones, the turbulent 70s, survivalist culture. I enjoyed the depth exhibited in this book.
A sad but realistic story that is well-written. Couldn’t put it down.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster hitting all the emotions of a well lived life…young love, familial love, broken love, deep friendships, etc. It had me biting my nails, talking internally to the characters and at times sobbing. It offers hope and healing as well. I have been a long time follower of Kristin Hannah, she never disappoints but this one is deep and rich with emotion and character. I could see this one being made into a movie. UPDATE: The movie rights have already been purchased!
I gave this book a five star which I don’t do often. I couldn’t put it down. It made me cry several times.
This was a beautifully written book about a dysfunctional family and how a daughter rises above it all to find a beautiful life for herself.
Phenomenal is all I can say. You’ll chuckle and you’ll be teary eyed! If you’ve ever cruised to Alaska and gotten off at those wonderful ports just know that is not the true Alaska, this book is. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully written book about love, hardship and survival in the Great alone, Alaska.
I very much enjoyed reading about life in Alaska. The culture is fascinating.
Fantastic
When a Vietnam vet with PTSD moves to Alaska with his wife and teen daughter, the family is totally unprepared for the challenges of living in this harsh and pitiless environment. Each of them has to wrestle with personal demons while learning how to survive. This is a moving adventure, a heartbreaking portrayal of spousal abuse, and a poignant coming of age story of a courageous and resilient young woman. Much different than Hannah’s last novel, “The Nightingale,” but equally well-written and insightful.
Fantastic read!!
The setting, Alaska, with hardships for just survival, adds to drama of young girl with abusive father.