The Great Alone

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.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Great... submitted by MadMonkeyZ on June 23, 2018, 2:53pm In this pressure cooker of a page-turner, a damaged Vietnam vet moves his family to the wilds of Alaska. Initially it's a welcome change, but as winter approaches, and his mental state deteriorates, his wife and daughter find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. Like her mega-bestselling The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone highlights the heroics of everyday people, especially women.

Great book submitted by irksit on June 27, 2018, 10:31am This is my first Kristin Hannah and I’m so glad I read it. It’s so good. I don’t know what else to say. Just read it.

Remote Maine submitted by admaclean on July 21, 2018, 10:44pm Hannah does an excellent job of making the reader feel the intensity and emotions of the characters. I felt like I was in an isolated, rural Maine cabin (and considered the draw it might have in today’s world). Highly recommended!

Compelling Read submitted by Beth Manuel on August 14, 2018, 3:00pm This book was so detailed and filled with descriptions that I could vividly imagine the scenery & practically smell beer and cigarettes. The time period was relatable to me-the early to mid 70's-as I'd be the same age as the protagonist. Accounting of fashion, music trends, and societal ills were on point. I found this to be a riveting and recommendable read, with an interest in reading more from this author.

Wonderful Female Characters submitted by Blue Owl on June 15, 2019, 5:43pm The Great Alone is filled with strong, independent, sensible female characters surviving amidst the beauty and danger of Alaska.

Didn't want to put it down. submitted by deelamphear on November 25, 2019, 11:01am I recommend reading this book on the couch in front of a fire. The descriptions of winter in Alaska and what it does to the already struggling Allbright family are chilling and riveting. I could not put this book down and found myself holding my breath as I raced through the pages to see what would happen. Great book.

Loved it! submitted by jgetty on July 12, 2020, 3:23pm Just finished this book, and am sad for it to end. Enjoyed it so much! A book with real substance: the strong characters and the struggling ones, the adventure, the real life problems of struggle and relationships, story of hope, perseverance, the family histories, and the tragic, so sad results from the War, and also living in the difficult Alaskan terrain and life. Great book, and a real page-turner as others mention, highly recommend it.

Don't be scared by the page count submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on June 13, 2022, 10:01pm TW: Vietnam vet PTSD, domestic violence
This was recommended to me by one of my client’s moms, and what a great recommendation it was. I plowed through this 500+ utterly engrossing story in only 2 or 3 days, because I just could not put it down. Centering on a teenage main character who has goals and desires but is limited in the face of her place in a dysfunctional family really worked for this story, without turning it into some kind of YA “teen saves the world” saga. And I haven’t been to Alaska, but the community and land are beautifully described and drew me in. Absolutely wonderful, and doesn’t remotely feel as big as it is. Don’t be scared by the page count. Highly recommended.

Loved it submitted by bjkoch on July 10, 2022, 9:01pm Unlike her usual books but still a good!

My favorite book submitted by leah karr on August 5, 2022, 12:14am Could not put this down. The attachment I felt to the characters was all-consuming. Read this!

Enjoyable read submitted by Rhonda Hafner on June 9, 2023, 7:16pm This was an enjoyable read! I loved the main character, Lenny. I asking enjoyed the Alaskan setting and storyline.

Great submitted by Noah Oron on July 6, 2023, 3:40pm Made me eant to go to alaska

Great submitted by Noah Oron on July 6, 2023, 3:40pm Made me want to go to alaska

I appreciated her take on the abuse submitted by alharman1022 on July 24, 2023, 5:06pm And her strength. It was so cool to read about Alaska too

Living off the land submitted by hiker15 on August 13, 2023, 8:38pm This book shows how difficult it is to live in a remote location solely off the land. Just for that it was an amazing read. But then getting into the mind of a teenage girl who has to live with her family when the father with PTSD gets abusive with her and her mom made me not want to put this book down. All in all a great read.