Kristin Hannah

From the worldwide number one bestselling author of The Nightingale comes Kristin Hannah’s latest bestseller. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss. GOODREADS HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2018 'A rich, compelling novel of love, sacrifice and survival, as epic as the Alaskan landscape it so vividly describes' Kate Morton ‘A woman has to be tough as steel up here. You can’t count on anyone to save you and your children. You have to be willing to save yourselves.’ Thirteen-year-old Leni is coming of age in a tumultuous time. Caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, she dares to hope that Alaska will lead to a better future for her family, and a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. As Leni grows up in the shadow of her parents’ increasingly volatile marriage, she meets Matthew. And Matthew – thoughtful, kind, brave – makes her believe in the possibility of a better life . . . With her trademark combination of elegant prose and deeply drawn characters, Kristin Hannah celebrates the remarkable and enduring strength of women. ‘A masterclass’ Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan ‘Rapturous’ New York Times ‘Epic’ Washington Post

A Compelling Story of Love, Heartbreak and Survival, From the Multi-million Copy Bestselling Author of The Nightingale

The Great Alone

Mariah crawford

Did adults just look at the world and see what they wanted to see, think what they wanted to think? Did evidence and experience mean nothing?

He stopped scentences halfway through all the time, as if he was afraid of giving voice to scary or depressing thoughts.

The world is run by lunatics. It’s not my America anymore.

You don’t stop loving a person when they’re hurt. You get stronger so they can lean on you.

An empty flagpole pointed accusingly upward, a statement about her father’s hatred of where this country was headed. For a man whom Mama called a patriot, he sure hated his government.

It’s almost like nothing will ever change even after 38 years.

As far as Leni could tell, adults were edgy in general, and no wonder. The war in Vietnam had divided the country. Newspapers blared bad news daily: bombings by Weatherman or the IRA; planes being hijacked; the kidnapping of Patty Heart. The massacre at the Munich Olympics had stunned the whole world, as had the Watergate scandal. And recently, college girls in Washington State had begun to disappear without a trace. It was a dangerous world.

Servane de Guillebon 

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 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.

A Novel

kristie alexis

Pierre

Absolutely amazing but heartbreaking. Truly all the feels with this book and I couldn’t stop reading. 

Amanda 

Kass

I felt this was sooooo repetitive and didn’t build for me.

I had really high hopes and wanted so much but it just didn’t happen for me 

Brittany Peterson

2.5 stars from me.

I felt this was sooooo repetitive and didn’t build for me.

I had really high hopes and wanted so much but it just didn’t happen for me 

This is an excellent book, and the storyline had me hooked right from the beginning. I agree with other reviews that the sections of the book were drawn out and the ending was rushed, but I loved the survival story embedded in a survival story so much that I’m giving it 4.5 stars nonetheless. 

Jen Baron

Well, this one tore my heart out. I cried in the car on the way to a store, much to my horror. It’ll make you want to move to Alaska to experience the beauty. It makes you think about how tough you really are-could you make it? In the end, it reminds you that your parents did they very best they could, and they love you in a way that lasts forever. 

Kristen Savage

Wow. This book was incredible. I was hesitant because of how long of an audiobook it was, but I’m so glad I didn’t let that deter me. I was waiting for every opportunity to turn it back on and be thrown back into Alaska. I learned so much about living in the bush and the struggles that come with it while following the heartbreaking story surround Lenny. One of my top reads of the year. 

Okay, it wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it was beautifully heartbreaking. I love her writing and her storytelling.

Jazz

Soapy but ripped through it. Read for book club

taylor miles hopkins

Such an incredible, heart-wrenching story until the rushed ending 

Shelby Wheeler

Lenora Allbright is 13 when her father convinces her mother, Cora, to forgo their inauspicious existence in Seattle and move to Kaneq, AK. It's 1974, and the former Vietnam POW sees a better future away from the noise and nightmares that plague him. Having been left a homestead by a buddy who died in the war, Ernt is secure in his beliefs, but never was a family less prepared for the reality of Alaska, the long, cold winters and isolation. Locals want to help out, especially classmate Matthew Walker, who likes everything about Leni. Yet the harsh conditions bring out the worst in Ernt, whose paranoia takes over their lives and exacerbates what Leni sees as the toxic relationship between her parents. The Allbrights are as green as greenhorns can be, and even first love must endure unimaginable hardship and tragedy as the wilderness tries to claim more victims.

abby .˚｡⋆ ༊ .˚｡⋆

absolutely wrecked me. This is story of violence and heartbreak. love and strength. Matthew and Leni’s love story was so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. Booking a trip to alaska now <3

Isabella 

such an emotionally compelling book. it was beautifully written. i shed a tear

This is my favorite KH book. Heartbreaking, emotional, beautiful, redemptive, I loved it.

Cheri McElroy

This book will rip your heart out in the best way. the story is so heart wrenching and true it is so 100% worth a read. The biggest thing that this book is about is love, in all the forms it can take - good and evil.

Daphne Li-Chen

This book will rip your heart out in the best way. the story is so heart wrenching and true it is so 100% worth a read. The biggest thing that this book is about is love, in all the forms it can take - good and evil.

read it! it’s 100% worth a read. 

Denaiir

This was so good, it made me feel such conflicting things, I liked it then I started loving it, then I hated it and I finished crying like a baby. 
If you feel frustrated with the book about 2/3 in, trust me and continue, it will all be ok in the end.
About the audio version, the narrator Julia Whelan is amazing as always and she was the perfect choice for this book. 
This was my first book by Krisin Hannah and I will definitely read more

I haven’t cried this hard since A Little Life 

Shanna 

Really great book and audiobook. I would say this is one worth reading. I cried with the reunion and I can’t imagine how much I would’ve cried if I was reading it rather than listening to it while multi-tasking. 

Was the writing particularly notable? Not especially. Was the story particularly unique? Not especially. But it doesn’t mean it’s not a good read overall. 

Syrina Akbari

Really great book and audiobook. I would say this is one worth reading. I cried with the reunion and I can’t imagine how much I would’ve cried if I was reading it rather than listening to it while multi-tasking. 

Was the writing particularly notable? Not especially. Was the story particularly unique? Not especially. But it doesn’t mean it’s not a good read overall. 

Amy Place

I liked this book but I'm real sick of people getting pregnant after having sex one time. Does that happen in real life as often as it does in books and movies?

Rodney Crawford

Krystyna 

Characters

The characters within this story are so vivid and well-developed. They felt so real to me. They are flawed and complex and they truly come alive as you read this story. The complexity of these characters adds a richness that I loved. You love and root for some characters and you despise other characters, but it's not that simple.

Ernt Allbright is a Vietnam veteran and suffers from severe PTSD. He was a POW survivor, and after being back home he was a different person. He was an alcoholic with a short, quick temper. He was controlling and abusive, and suffers from paranoia and night terrors. As I was reading scenes throughout this book, which were heavy to say the least, I realized how much I despised his character. 

Cora Allbright is the wife of Ernt and the mother of Leni. I had a love/hate relationship with Cora. I really enjoyed her character but I would get so frustrated with her. I despised the way she stuck with Ernt through everything, and subjected her daughter to witness everything. On the other hand, I loved her seeing how much she cared and loved her daughter. I felt for Cora because she is the victim of abuse and she feels trapped with no way out.

Leni Allbright stole my heart in this book. Even though some parts were tough to read, I loved seeing how strong Leni was, and how she persevered through some extremely difficult times. Leni's character really resonated with me and some of her story hit close to home. I enjoyed seeing how much love she had for her mother; it was unconditional. But, my heart broke for Leni, over and over again. 

Matthew Walker is the star of the story for me. This was one of the most selfless, sweetest, toughest characters throughout the novel. I really loved Matthew. He was childhood friends with Leni and I loved seeing their relationship develop throughout the years. Matthew went through some really difficult times of his own, but over time he was coming to terms and trying to accept everything and move on. I thoroughly loved his character; he was so endearing and strong.

There were a ton of great secondary characters. I really enjoyed Large Marge and Mr. Walker. The secondary characters really bring the story and setting to life. They form up thi small community and makes it feel so realistic. Overall, these characters are quite memorable and will stick with me for a long time.

Story

This is a survival story about the Allbright family. Ernt Allbright is a Vietnam vet who suffers from PTSD, and can't seem to keep a job to support his family. Cora, his wife, is working trying to make ends meet. But just as soon as they seem to settle in one place, Ernt uproots his wife and their daughter, Leni, to wherever he thinks there is a better opportunity. He gets mail from his war buddy's father, stating that he is inheriting property in Alaska. Ernt thinks that this is his big break, to get away from the government and society, and live off the land in remote Alaska. The Allbrights relocate to Alaska and realize they are very unprepared for the harsh environment that lies ahead. They have to learn how to survive the severely harsh winters, adapt to the days being mostly dark, and realize that the Alaskan winter isn't their biggest threat.

Writing

The writing was phenomenal. The descriptions and imagery used throughout this story really brought the setting and atmosphere to life. The characters were so distinct and the story captivated my heart, and ripped it throughout the entirety of the novel. It was so heavy and bittersweet. It made me feel so many emotions and I'm glad that I finally got around to reading it. The author did an amazing job capturing life in a remote Alaskan community, the harsh winter season, and the individuality and distinctness of each character. There were so many quotes that I jotted down while reading this book. The story is beautifully written and unforgettable. 

Overall

I loved this book. This story stole my heart, for sure. I knew going into this story that it was going to be heavy, but oh my heart! I fell in love with the setting and the descriptions of Alaska. The atmosphere of this book was so great. I could write forever about this book, my thoughts, and love for this story. The ending really tugged at my heartstrings but I felt like it was a little too rushed. I wish it was a little more detailed and developed. But, it wasn't enough to make me deduct a star. I still thoroughly enjoyed the ending. I didn't want to leave this story or these characters. I would really like to see a movie adaptation. 

Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, death of a parent, alcoholism, depression, PTSD

momo-reads

I should have followed my first instinct and quit 1/3 of the way through.  Terrible things happen to everyone in the book all the way through.  No redemption for anyone.

Cindy

As someone who grew up in Alaska, I’m very pleased with how well the author captured the heartbreak it can be yet the beauty it holds. It was fun hearing real places I have been put into a book. She captures Alaska beautifully. The story is the same way. Heartbreaking but beautiful. 

Kaitlyn Chauvin 

What a story! I think what I loved the most about this book was the setting - Alaskan wilderness in the 70s. Heartbreaking yet so beautiful. 

Jacqui Spears

This book was a slow start but the characters get under your skin and I didn’t want to put it down. It brought me to tears more than once. So good. 

The Great Alone A Compelling Story of Love, Heartbreak and Survival, From the Multi-million Copy Bestselling Author of The Nightingale

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