The Great Alone: A Novel

Kristin Hannah is quickly becoming my favourite author! I devoured this book in 48 hours and my gosh was it an emotional rollercoaster but not for the faint hearted! Set in Alaska, this is a coming of age story which follows the Allbright family on their move to Alaska and the challenges they face. Ernt Allbright is Vietnam veteran who came home a new man. Cora his wife and Leni his daughter are finding a way to navigate their way through this new life with a new version of Ernt. The setting of the story is a huge tick for me. I loved learning about life in Alaska, especially through the long hard winters. The way the community comes together to support each other is just wonderful. All of the characters in the story are so real and flawed, you can’t help but experience everything as if you’re living through it with them! The other massive tick for me were the relationships in the story. The love between a mother and daughter, the community, young love… it’s fabulous! Just make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading it. It can be a tough on at times! Kristin Hannah will never fail to make me sob and I’m here for it!

This was my first KH book and oh my, it was such an emotional roller coaster. It really put me in all feels and had me crying at the end. Set In the beautiful Alaskan wilderness I was totally transported. I love books with this type of wild outdoors setting and this was described perfectly. I can imagine so well the small town and how it must have been back in the 70s. The Harlan compound I could see as clear as day in my mind and Bos land etc. The depiction of the abuse Cora and Leni suffered , was handled sensitively and written with such rawness , that it took me back to being a scared little kid in similar circumstances. Ernst was vile . The love story between Matthew and Leni was beautiful and tragic. I'm so sad about what Cora had to endure , i so wanted her to leave and I was praying her and Tom would get together. The community spirit shone through at every given opportunity. Finding strength in numbers, courage to start over again. It raises so many questions on what would you have done in that situation?

It’s 1974. The Vietnam war is finally over. And 13 year old Leni’s dad, Ernt, is back home. Following Ernt’s arrival, Leni finds herself caught in the riptide of her parents’ tumultuous marriage; a silent spectator to her dad’s volatile temper. Her mama, Cora, insists Ernt is a good man. A loving husband and father simply battling the terrifying war flashbacks haunting his thoughts; making him lash out from time to time. Sure, dad is scary sometimes, but he loves mama and Leni to death. Desperate for a fresh start, Ernt decides to move his family to Alaska. Leni isn’t too sure, but mama will do anything for the man she loves; and, ever her mama’s loyal shadow, Leni will always do as she says, even if it may destroy them both. Alaska is an otherworldly place, with awe-inspiring beauty combined with a wilderness that is an unforgiving testing ground for all those whom dare make it their home. With the support of the small community who live nearby, Leni and her parents soon settle into this new way of Alaskan life. But, as the days get shorter and the nights longer, Ernt’s condition worsens; his outbursts become more frequent. While mother and daughter muster the strength to endure the unbearable, it’s not long before something eventually snaps. Kristin Hannah’s combination of elegant prose and detailed character development certainly made for an emotionally charged reading experience. Mama and Leni’s relationship in particular was beautifully crafted; celebrating the remarkable strength of women and the impenetrable bond between mother and daughter. Overall, a devastating character-driven tale with moments of beauty littered throughout. It’s definitely a slow-burn-type novel; one that is intended to be gently savoured. Would absolutely recommend if you’re looking for some impactful historical and/or domestic coming of age fiction!

Brilliant book. Was unsure if I would like this story as I had previously read The Nightingale by this author and I loved it. This book is definitely a good read. The characters are so well created and the story line whilst sad in places is equally beautiful.

This book was amazing! The story had me from the very start to the very end. I was filled with emotion, anticipation, hope and anger whilst reading this book. Wow. She is one of the best authors that I have ever read in my life!

This is my current favourite author. I love her style of writing and is very good at absorbing you into the atmosphere. This book made me study the map of where they could be along with the last two which did the same. It absolutely took you into how hard the lifestyle must have been (and is) and could view the compounds, main town etc. this is before you can you can invest in the relationships which do the same. It covers some very tricky subjects with great compassion and understanding. One of those books where you feel a loss when you get to the end.

This is a book that tells a story of family, about life in Alaska and so much more. The quality of the writing brings the wildness and the beauty of Alaska crashing together and stirred a sense of adventure within me and left me equally thankful for the comfort that exists within my life. Kristin Hannah's superb use of language to really bring the landscape to life. I felt like I spent the last few days in that town, living among those people. There were times that I could see the beauty that her words paint and also as I read I could feel the cold that she describes. As well as the setting coming alive on the pages, the same is true of the characters. There is a depth, complexity and tension to each of them. This is what impressed me most about the book. I was emotionally invested in the charcters from the start. In my mind I was chastising them for their actions whilst also reasoning in their defence. The fragility and complexity of people really comes through. Each affected by their experiences and also their emotions and fears, each damaged and each worth rooting for. I felt that I had a real sense of the relationships that formed between the characters and could relate to so many of them. The highest compliment that I can pay to this book is that for days I have felt that I was part of this community and that I loved it. There was a sadness when the book finished and it was time to leave. There are powerful themes running throughout the book. It's a story of love, friendship, family and community. It talks of joy, grief, pain and survival. A book that for one reason or another will stick with me for a long time

A true whirlwind of emotions. The Allbrights are a family of a mother, a daughter and a father, a returning POW, constantly on the move and never settling. Finally Alaska calls them, with winter comes turmoil. Lenny and her mother Cora must survive not only the winter but their husband and father Ernt .A truly incredible book, a whirlwind of emotions. Highly recommend

Every once in a while, you find a book that doesn't just tell you a story—it pulls you in so deeply that you can almost feel the bite of the winter wind and the warmth of a flickering hearth. And your heart bursts open - what a book! Kristin Hannah has a way of making the Alaskan wilderness feel like a living, breathing character that challenges the soul. The Great Alone was that book for me. I was absolutely captivated from the very first page and found it impossible to put down. Kristin Hannah is, quite simply, a fabulous writer. She has this extraordinary gift for exploring the resilience of the human spirit and the complicated, beautiful bonds of family. Her prose is raw, honest, and so evocative that I felt I was living alongside Leni in the Alaskan wilderness, learning what it truly means to survive and to love. To me, reading is a conscious way to choose joy—even when a story is bittersweet—because it expands our empathy and connects us to the wilder parts of ourselves. If you are looking for your next great read, this is the book. It is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the strength we find when we are pushed to our limits. A stunning masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a long time.

Loved the story and the progression of the charachters. How they grow and aim for survival in wild Alaska who is a character itself.

I rarely write reviews but in this case ... This is, by far, one of the best books I've read in a long time. As always, Kristin Hannah spins a wonderful tale .... plot, character development, everything is outstanding, but what grabbed me by the throat emotionally was her obvious visceral love for the State of Alaska. It shone through on every page. I'm not a crier but this story had me in tears I'm happy to give it 5 stars - wish I could have rated it higher.

A wonderful read! Loved every little thing about the book, starting with the plot, the writing style, the climax; all of it was just spot on. Character development was great too. All the emotions and experiences were described extremely well. A five star read for sure ❤️

Received item quickly. Highly recommend this book. A great depiction of life in the wild of Alaska.