Stephanie Sullivan: Review - The Great Alone

TITLE: The Great Alone

RATING: ★★★★★

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Summary (from Goodreads): 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. 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.

REVIEW: This is such an amazing book! I've never been to Alaska, but Kristin Hannah's beautifully descriptive writing made me feel like I've lived there my whole life. I've heard tales about how hard the winters are in Alaska, and reading this story made me feel like I was a part of the Allbright family's struggle to survive. I have to say the relationship between Cora and Ernt made my heart ache on many levels. Having been in an abusive relationship many years ago, I understood Cora's rollercoaster emotions on a deeply personal level. I loved cheering for Leni and Matthew, and I also enjoyed reading about Leni and Cora's strong bond. I believe I went through every emotion while reading this story, and the ending left me in tears. I would happily recommend The Great Alone to everyone, and I can't wait to read more of Kristin Hannah's work.