The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Book Review

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Alaska, 1974.
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.
For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown.

At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they 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 Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. 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. Out in the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

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 wildness that lives in both man and nature.

The Great Alone Book Review

Last year, I read The Women for my book club. Since then, I’ve been wanting to pick up another one of her books. Thankfully, my book club’s pick for January was The Great Alone. I’m so glad I read it, it’s such a beautiful story!

The Great Alone follows Leni, a young girl who moves to Alaska when her father, a former POW from the Vietnam War, wants to make a change. While there, she faces the complexities of growing up in the wild with the help of newfound friends. She also must deal with constant threats, both from the wild and from her own family.

I thoroughly enjoyed Leni as the main character. Her character grows so much throughout this story and it’s incredibly captivating to watch her journey. The bond she has with her mother, while frustrating at times, is sweet and tender. Her relationship with Matthew is beautifully written and I loved seeing the way their bond transformed over time.

It’s no secret that Ernt is a difficult character to enjoy. While there are some pure and heartfelt moments, there’s a lot of pain. I think Kristin Hannah does a really good job of encapsulating the difficulties experienced by many former POWs. It’s a really difficult and emotional part of this story, but one that works for the overall story.

The overall story is captivating and had me turning each page. The landscape of Alaska is described so vividly, that it truly makes you feel like you’re there with Leni. I also enjoyed the three parts of this story, which follow Leni during different years of her life.

Overall, The Great Alone is an emotional heartfelt story that touches you from start to finish. It’s a challenge to read a times, due to the raw emotions felt through every moment. But, it’s also a powerful story about resilience and the bonds humans create during their life.

I highly recommend picking this one up, and The Women, if you haven’t read that one yet either. Since I loved both books so much, I will be picking up more of her books in the future!

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

About the Author

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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