The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
Published by St. Martin's Press
on January 30, 2018
on January 30, 2018
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Length: 448 pages
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Synopsis:
Alaska, 1974
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed. For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.
In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska--a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wilderness that lives in both man and nature.
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed. For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.
In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska--a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wilderness that lives in both man and nature.
My Thoughts:
Content Warning for physical abuse and violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, PTSD, and a few others that may be spoilers.
Content Warning for physical abuse and violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, PTSD, and a few others that may be spoilers.
Ernt and Cora Allbright move their daughter, Lenora, to the Alaskan wilderness to escape Ernt's demons acquired in the Vietnam War. They think this is a new start; one that will quell the nightmares and give them the lives they always dreamed of. While Alaska is new and beautiful and a definite change for them all, Leni soon learns that her father hasn't changed at all. In fact, he's gotten worse, and Leni and her mother must do whatever it takes to survive.
This was a difficult and devastating read.
It was hard to see how Leni and her mother tiptoed around Ernt in fear of provoking or angering him. What they sacrificed for a man that only wanted to control them. What people will do and endure for love and family. It's harder to see all of this from Leni's pov.
But there were a lot of hopeful things about it as well. The Alaskans that were willing to put in the time and effort to help out complete strangers just because they know how woefully unprepared people could be for Alaskan winters. How different women took up the mantle of teaching the children if the out of town teacher couldn't make it due to inclement weather. How they'd gather the entire town if someone went missing. The community was amazing and the ending was quite hopeful as well.
I read The Nightingale a few months ago and was blown away by it. Such an amazing read! I knew I needed more from this author, and then I remember I'd checked this book out previously and hadn't had a chance to read it. I've only read these two books so far but Kristin Hannah has already made it on my favorite author's list.
I love how her books center around women who learn and grow and become stronger as we progress through their stories.
This was a difficult and devastating read.
It was hard to see how Leni and her mother tiptoed around Ernt in fear of provoking or angering him. What they sacrificed for a man that only wanted to control them. What people will do and endure for love and family. It's harder to see all of this from Leni's pov.
But there were a lot of hopeful things about it as well. The Alaskans that were willing to put in the time and effort to help out complete strangers just because they know how woefully unprepared people could be for Alaskan winters. How different women took up the mantle of teaching the children if the out of town teacher couldn't make it due to inclement weather. How they'd gather the entire town if someone went missing. The community was amazing and the ending was quite hopeful as well.
I read The Nightingale a few months ago and was blown away by it. Such an amazing read! I knew I needed more from this author, and then I remember I'd checked this book out previously and hadn't had a chance to read it. I've only read these two books so far but Kristin Hannah has already made it on my favorite author's list.
I love how her books center around women who learn and grow and become stronger as we progress through their stories.
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