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A Troubled Dad Takes His Family Into the Wild

By Janet Maslin

• Feb. 1, 2018
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Kristin Hannah has written more than 20 novels, but it took one monster hit to really put her on the map. That was “The Nightingale” (2015), based on a true story and centered on two sisters caught up in the French Resistance, and it was such a hard act to follow that Hannah says she wrote and discarded a novel she could have published next.

Instead, she came up with “The Great Alone,” an Alaskan family drama that bears almost no surface resemblance to “The Nightingale.” It’s a heart-tugger written in borderline young adult style, combining terrible troubles with notes of overripe romance. As in: “When he touched her: music.”

The terrible troubles are completely one-note. The book’s main character, Leni Allbright, is the daughter of a beautiful hippie mother, Cora, and a father, Ernt, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. When “The Great Alone” begins, in 1974, Leni is 13 and her father is still reasonably sane. But he has been “weird since the war,” which is about as clinical as “The Great Alone” gets, and he is this book’s designated bad guy. Ernt has been moving his family around ever since he got home, looking for some kind of happy new start. It isn’t working.

Then comes an amazing coincidence. (Hannah likes these.) A war buddy of Ernt’s has left him a cabin and some land in Alaska. The Allbrights pile in their Volkswagen bus and go off seeking a new adventure. In her acknowledgments, Hannah writes that her own family, with an apparently much happier father, piled into its own VW bus for similarly searching travels in 1968.

This is the kind of book in which the Alaskan cabin is a horrible mess until, practically overnight, it’s fresh and clean — not easy without running water. That’s because the tiny outpost near Homer, where the Allbrights homestead (in real life, Hannah’s family runs a travel lodge in the same general area) has citizens who help one another and show up to share the work. This setup suits Ernt for about five minutes. Then he starts bonding with Mad Earl (“folks call me Mad Earl”), the biggest paranoid white supremacist survivalist nut around, whom Ernt will soon best when it comes to crazy. Ernt also starts hating Tom Walker, the local rich person, who has no discernible bad qualities and does his best to help the Allbrights. Walker’s big crime is that Cora finds him attractive.

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Book Reviews on...

The great alone, by kristin hannah, recommendations from our site.

New York Times bestseller The Great Alone is a powerful tale of family, trauma, and strength. When former prisoner of war Ernt Allbright returns home from Vietnam he is volatile, unable to maintain a job or adjust to domestic life. In a desperate bid to repair their fragmented family, Ernt, his wife Cora and their daughter Leni move to the Alaskan wilderness to live off-grid. Isolated and battling the elements, Ernt’s mental health continues to deteriorate, and the family is stretched to breaking point. Like Where the Crawdads Sing, The Great Alone is a tender story highlighting the extent of human resilience.

From our article Books like Where the Crawdads Sing

Other books by Kristin Hannah

The women by kristin hannah, our most recommended books, on liberty by john stuart mill, war and peace by leo tolstoy, middlemarch by george eliot, nineteen eighty-four by george orwell, frankenstein (book) by mary shelley, the confessions by augustine (translated by maria boulding).

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Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

THE GREAT ALONE

by Kristin Hannah ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2018

A tour de force.

In 1974, a troubled Vietnam vet inherits a house from a fallen comrade and moves his family to Alaska.

After years as a prisoner of war, Ernt Allbright returned home to his wife, Cora, and daughter, Leni, a violent, difficult, restless man. The family moved so frequently that 13-year-old Leni went to five schools in four years. But when they move to Alaska, still very wild and sparsely populated, Ernt finds a landscape as raw as he is. As Leni soon realizes, “Everyone up here had two stories: the life before and the life now. If you wanted to pray to a weirdo god or live in a school bus or marry a goose, no one in Alaska was going to say crap to you.” There are many great things about this book—one of them is its constant stream of memorably formulated insights about Alaska. Another key example is delivered by Large Marge, a former prosecutor in Washington, D.C., who now runs the general store for the community of around 30 brave souls who live in Kaneq year-round. As she cautions the Allbrights, “Alaska herself can be Sleeping Beauty one minute and a bitch with a sawed-off shotgun the next. There’s a saying: Up here you can make one mistake. The second one will kill you.” Hannah’s ( The Nightingale , 2015, etc.) follow-up to her series of blockbuster bestsellers will thrill her fans with its combination of Greek tragedy, Romeo and Juliet–like coming-of-age story, and domestic potboiler. She re-creates in magical detail the lives of Alaska's homesteaders in both of the state's seasons (they really only have two) and is just as specific and authentic in her depiction of the spiritual wounds of post-Vietnam America.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-312-57723-0

Page Count: 448

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: Oct. 30, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2017

FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP

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More by Kristin Hannah

BOOK REVIEW

by Kristin Hannah

THE NIGHTINGALE

by Kristin Hannah ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2015

Still, a respectful and absorbing page-turner.

Hannah’s new novel is an homage to the extraordinary courage and endurance of Frenchwomen during World War II.

In 1995, an elderly unnamed widow is moving into an Oregon nursing home on the urging of her controlling son, Julien, a surgeon. This trajectory is interrupted when she receives an invitation to return to France to attend a ceremony honoring  passeurs : people who aided the escape of others during the war. Cut to spring, 1940: Viann has said goodbye to husband Antoine, who's off to hold the Maginot line against invading Germans. She returns to tending her small farm, Le Jardin, in the Loire Valley, teaching at the local school and coping with daughter Sophie’s adolescent rebellion. Soon, that world is upended: The Germans march into Paris and refugees flee south, overrunning Viann’s land. Her long-estranged younger sister, Isabelle, who has been kicked out of multiple convent schools, is sent to Le Jardin by Julien, their father in Paris, a drunken, decidedly unpaternal Great War veteran. As the depredations increase in the occupied zone—food rationing, systematic looting, and the billeting of a German officer, Capt. Beck, at Le Jardin—Isabelle’s outspokenness is a liability. She joins the Resistance, volunteering for dangerous duty: shepherding downed Allied airmen across the  Pyrenees to Spain. Code-named the Nightingale, Isabelle will rescue many before she's captured. Meanwhile, Viann’s journey from passive to active resistance is less dramatic but no less wrenching. Hannah vividly demonstrates how the Nazis, through starvation, intimidation and barbarity both casual and calculated, demoralized the French, engineering a community collapse that enabled the deportations and deaths of more than 70,000 Jews. Hannah’s proven storytelling skills are ideally suited to depicting such cataclysmic events, but her tendency to sentimentalize undermines the gravitas of this tale.

Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-312-57722-3

Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2014

HISTORICAL FICTION | FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP

More About This Book

BOOK TO SCREEN

SEEN & HEARD

THE PERFECT COUPLE

by Elin Hilderbrand ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2018

Sink into this book like a hot, scented bath...a delicious, relaxing pleasure. And a clever whodunit at the same time.

A wedding on Nantucket is canceled when the bride finds her maid of honor floating facedown in the Atlantic on the morning of the big day.

One of the supporting characters in Hilderbrand's ( Winter Solstice , 2017, etc.) 21st Nantucket novel is Greer Garrison, the mother of the groom and a well-known novelist. Unfortunately, in addition to all the other hell about to break loose in Greer's life, she's gone off her game. Early in the book, a disappointed reader wonders if "the esteemed mystery writer, who is always named in the same breath as Sue Grafton and Louise Penny, is coasting now, in her middle age." In fact, Greer's latest manuscript is about to be rejected and sent back for a complete rewrite, with a deadline of two weeks. But wanna know who's most definitely not coasting? Elin Hilderbrand. Readers can open her latest with complete confidence that it will deliver everything we expect: terrific clothes and food, smart humor, fun plot, Nantucket atmosphere, connections to the characters of preceding novels, and warmth in relationships evoked so beautifully it gets you right there. Example: a tiny moment between the chief of police and his wife. It's very late in the book, and he still hasn't figured out what the hell happened to poor Merritt Monaco, the Instagram influencer and publicist for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Even though it's dinner time, he has to leave the "cold blue cans of Cisco beer in his fridge” and get back to work. " ‘I hate murder investigations,’ [his wife] says, lifting her face for a kiss. ‘But I love you.’ " You will feel that just as powerfully as you believe that Celeste Otis, the bride-to-be, would rather be anywhere on Earth than on the beautiful isle of Nantucket, marrying the handsome, kind, and utterly smitten Benji Winbury. In fact, she had a fully packed bag with her at the crack of dawn when she found her best friend's body.

Pub Date: June 19, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-316-37526-9

Page Count: 464

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: April 15, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2018

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by Elin Hilderbrand

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Book Review: The Great Alone

This extended review will delve deeper into Kristin Hannah’s “The Great Alone,” exploring its nuanced portrayal of trauma, resilience, and the transformative power of the wilderness on the human spirit. Kristen Hannah’s The Great Alone is just as vast as the Alaskan Wilderness.

What is The Great Alone about? “The Great Alone” is a novel by Kristin Hannah about a family’s struggle for survival in the Alaskan wilderness, facing challenges from nature, domestic violence, and personal traumas.

Kristin Hannah’s “The Great Alone” stands as a testament to her ability to weave intricate tales that capture the complexity of human emotions against the backdrop of expansive, wild landscapes. Diverging from the historical drama of “The Nightingale,” this novel presents a more intimate, yet equally harrowing, exploration of a family’s struggle for survival in the untamed wilderness of 1970s Alaska. This review aims to dissect the novel’s multifaceted layers, from its rich character development and emotional depth to the eloquent portrayal of nature’s beauty and brutality.

“Books are the mile markers of my life. Some people have family photos or home movies to record their past. I’ve got books. Characters. For as long as I can remember, books have been my safe place.” ―  Kristin Hannah,  The Great Alone

At the narrative’s core is the Allbright family, particularly the young Leni Allbright, whose life takes a dramatic turn when her family relocates to Alaska in search of a new beginning. Her father, Ernt, a Vietnam War veteran struggling with PTSD, and her mother, Cora, a woman of beauty and resilience, hope that the isolation and promise of self-sufficiency in Alaska will heal their broken family. However, the harsh realities of Alaskan frontier life, compounded by Ernt’s deteriorating mental health, thrust Leni into a coming-of-age journey marked by love, loss, and the fierce battle for personal and familial salvation.

Hannah’s portrayal of Alaska is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her vivid descriptions of the landscape serve not only as a backdrop but also as a formidable character that shapes the narrative. The wilderness of Alaska, with its pristine beauty and lethal challenges, mirrors the tumultuous inner landscapes of the characters. The novel excels in depicting the dual nature of the Alaskan wilderness—a source of both solace and peril, offering freedom and isolation in equal measure. Through this setting, Hannah masterfully explores themes of survival, the human connection to nature, and the idea that true wilderness can both reveal and forge one’s character.

“How will I stop loving him, Mama? Will I …. forget ? Mama sighed. Ah. That. Love doesn’t fade or die, baby girl. People tell you it does, but it doesn’t. If you love him now, you’ll love him in ten years and in forty. Differently, maybe , a faded version, but he’s part of you now. And you are part of him.” ―  Kristin Hannah,  The Great Alone

Character development is one of the novel’s most compelling aspects. Leni Allbright emerges as a resilient and complex protagonist, whose journey from a naive teenager to a determined survivor encapsulates the essence of human resilience. Her relationship with her parents, especially her bond with her mother, Cora, forms the emotional backbone of the story. Cora’s character, trapped in a cycle of domestic violence, reflects the harrowing realities many women face, highlighting issues of codependency and the societal constraints of the time. Ernt Allbright is portrayed with a palpable sense of tragedy—his battle with PTSD and subsequent descent into violence and paranoia serves as a poignant commentary on the scars of war and the need for understanding and support for veterans.

“Leni had never known anyone who had died before. She had seen death on television and read about it in her beloved books, but now she saw the truth of it. In literature, death was many things – a message, catharsis, retribution. There were deaths that came from a beating heart that stopped and deaths of another kind, a choice made, like Frodo going to the Grey Havens. Death made you cry, filled you with sadness, but in the best of her books, there was peace, too, satisfaction, a sense of the story ending as it should. In real life, she saw, it wasn’t like that. It was sadness opening up inside of you, changing how you saw the world.” ―  Kristin Hannah,  The Great Alone

The novel’s secondary characters, including the indomitable Large Marge and the compassionate yet complex Matthew, enrich the narrative, creating a sense of community that contrasts with the isolation of the wilderness. Their interactions with the Allbright family underscore themes of community support, resilience, and the enduring human capacity for kindness and solidarity in the face of adversity.

“The Great Alone” also delves into the complexities of love and violence, examining the destructive patterns that bind the Allbright family. Hannah does not shy away from depicting the grim realities of domestic abuse, yet she also explores the nuanced territories of love, loyalty, and the difficult choices individuals make in the name of love. This exploration extends to the romantic subplot between Leni and Matthew, which, while occasionally veering towards the melodramatic, effectively highlights the transformative power of love and the possibility of hope and renewal.

Furthermore, the novel offers a critical perspective on the theme of escapism. The Allbrights’ move to Alaska represents a physical and metaphorical attempt to escape the traumas of the past. However, Hannah skillfully illustrates that true escape requires confronting inner demons, not just changing locations. This message resonates deeply, emphasizing the importance of facing one’s fears and the healing power of confronting and accepting the truth.

In conclusion, Kristin Hannah’s “The Great Alone” is a profoundly moving narrative that transcends the boundaries of a mere family saga or survival story. It is a richly textured examination of the human condition, a celebration of the indomitable spirit of survival that resides within us all, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Alaska’s wilderness. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to blend heart-wrenching emotion with breathtaking descriptions of nature, creating a story that is as unforgettable as it is evocative. Through the trials and triumphs of the Allbright family, Hannah invites readers to ponder the depths of human resilience, the complexities of love and loyalty, and the unbreakable bond between humanity and the natural world. “The Great Alone” is not just a story of survival—it is a testament to the enduring capacity for love, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of light in the darkest of times.

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The Great Alone

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• First Published:
• Feb 6, 2018, 448 pages
• Sep 2019, 608 pages

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The Great Alone: A Novel Paperback – September 24, 2019

#1 New York Times Instant Bestseller 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. 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.

• Print length 576 pages
• Language English
• Publisher St. Martin's Griffin
• Publication date September 24, 2019
• Dimensions 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.2 inches
• ISBN-10 1250229537
• ISBN-13 978-1250229533
• Lexile measure HL720L
• See all details

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From the Publisher

The great alone: a novel.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Great Alone: An instant #1 New York Times bestseller (February 2018) | A 2018 Indie Next Pick One of... Southern Living's "Books Coming Out This Winter That We Can't Wait to Read" Pop Sugar's "10 Most Anticipated Books of 2018" Working Mother's "Most Anticipated Books of 2018" Brit & Co's "Most Anticipated Books of 2018" Seattle Times' "Books to Look Forward to in 2018" The Everygirl's "10 New Novels to Read this Winter" Refinery 29's "Best Books of February" BuzzFeed's "Most Anticipated Women's Fiction Reads of 2018" "Featuring a rich cast of characters and elevated by the riveting portrayal of homesteading in Alaska in the 1970s, this is a compassionate story of a family ." ― People , "Book of the Week" "This epic atmospheric novel examines humans' will to endure the unthinkable. " ― Real Simple magazine "There are many great things about this book ...It will thrill her fans with its combination of Greek tragedy, Romeo and Juliet-like coming of age story and domestic potboiler. She recreates in magical detail the lives of Alaska's homesteaders...and is just as specific and authentic in her depiction of the spiritual wounds of post-Vietnam America. A tour de force. " ― Kirkus (starred review) "Hannah vividly evokes the natural beauty and danger of Alaska and paints a compelling portrait of a family in crisis and a community on the brink of change." ― Booklist " Reliably alluring ... The Great Alone is packed with rapturous descriptions of Alaskan scenery … Hannah remembers and summons an undeveloped wilderness, describing a gloriously pristine region in the days before cruise ships discovered it." ― New York Times "In this latest from Hannah, the landscape is hard and bleak but our young heroine learns to accept it and discover her true self ...fans will appreciate the astuteness of the story and the unbreakable connection between mother and child. " ― Library Journal "Hannah skillfully situates the emotional family saga in the events and culture of the late ’70s... But it’s her tautly drawn characters ―Large Marge, Genny, Mad Earl, Tica, Tom―who contribute not only to Leni’s improbable survival but to her salvation amid her family’s tragedy." ― Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Hannah turns the written word into wonderful prose ...Times are difficult for so many in this novel and Hannah captures their suffering with sensitivity. The author e xpertly shows how love, death and birth run the full circle of life. " ― RT Book Reviews Praise for The Nightingale: "Haunting, action-packed, and compelling. "―Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author " Absolutely riveting! ...Read this book." ―Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director of the University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute "Beautifully written and richly evocative. " ―Sara Gruen,#1 New York Times bestselling author “A heart-pounding story.” ― USA Today "A respectful and absorbing page-turner." ― Kirkus Reviews " Tender, compelling ...a satisfying slice of life in Nazi-occupied France." ―Jewish Book Council “Expect to devour The Nightingale in as few sittings as possible; the high-stakes plot and lovable characters won’t allow any rest until all of their fates are known.” ― Shelf Awareness "Powerful... an unforgettable portrait of love and war. "―People

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Product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (September 24, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250229537
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250229533
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL720L
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.2 inches
• #15 in Mothers & Children Fiction
• #27 in Family Life Fiction (Books)
• #36 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction

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About the author

Kristin hannah.

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Her newest novel, The Women, about the nurses who served in the Vietnam war, will be released on February 6, 2024.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.

In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

In 2015, The Nightingale became an international blockbuster and was 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.

The Nightingale is currently in pre-production at Tri Star. Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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Customers find the story well-written, beautiful, and mesmerizing. They say the author is excellent in keeping the stories exciting and interesting. Readers also appreciate the music tie-ins and relevant topics woven throughout the story.

"...educational factors were the descriptions of a wild, desolate, beautiful Alaska in the 1970's...." Read more

"...Large Marge is a supremely interesting /full of heart character. I was like no notes, I just adore her...." Read more

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"...I implore you to stick with it and finish it because it is a literary great novel that I hope will someday be made into a movie or a TV series." Read more

Customers find the writing quality of the book wonderful, descriptive, and amazing. They appreciate the author's attention to detail and thoughtful topics. Readers also mention the physical descriptions throughout the novel are ethereal.

"Such a beautifully written , yet tragic novel that deals with so many hard issues- and that is what makes this book so good...." Read more

"...The physical descriptions throughout the novel are ethereal ...you can touch and feel and see what the author paints for you...." Read more

"...26 to the end of the book in itself is some of the most incredible heart wrenching written words I have ever read in my life...." Read more

"...in that time and the people along with the way of life felt real. and tangible ...." Read more

Customers find the characters well-developed and strong. They appreciate the author's time to develop the characters and let situations evolve over time. Readers also mention the descriptions of Alaska and the characters are wonderful.

"...The side characters were also really well developed and guided the story along...." Read more

"...Large Marge is a supremely interesting/ full of heart character . I was like no notes, I just adore her...." Read more

"...There are a lot of twists and turns and the characters are well developed . I enjoyed this book as well as the four winds and the women...." Read more

"...It had it all - storyline, well developed characters , great settings and no boring filler material. When the book ended, I wanted more!..." Read more

Customers find the emotional content of the book heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and devastating. They describe the story as dark, sad, and captivating. Readers also mention the book has constant tension.

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"...There was constant tension in the story which is generally what one wants in a good read. That did keep me flipping the pages...." Read more

"...The story was very suspense filled and at times quite sad . Definitely a great read! The author is excellent in keeping her stories exciting!" Read more

Customers find the book engaging, satisfying, and hard to put down. They say it keeps their attention and hooks them from the very start. Readers also mention the story is exciting, terrifying, and gripping.

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"...$@% this book is intense . Talk about a book hangover, this book will have you up late finishing it...." Read more

"...There are a lot of twists and turns and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed this book as well as the four winds and the women...." Read more

"...The story was very suspense filled and at times quite sad. Definitely a great read! The author is excellent in keeping her stories exciting!" Read more

Customers find the storyline amazing, marvelous, and good. They say it's a harrowing experience of the deepest love, resilience, and friendship. Readers also mention the ending is a redemption.

"...They are all so different in story line and time periods which makes it interesting. I don’t really like sequel books all the time...." Read more

"...The story has long, lasting love , all the love, Young love, it showcases the love between parents and children in multiple ways in multiple..." Read more

"...The situations and characters are realistically described. The story isn't rushed ...." Read more

"...The Great Alone” is NOT a feel good story ...." Read more

Customers find the book enlightening, inspiring, and informative. They say the author has excellent insight into the psychology of each character. Readers also mention the book is powerful and has accurate information about the Vietnam War told through a woman's perspective.

"...that this book was the one chosen by my book club, and man what a powerful book and story told in a unique, poignant, beautiful, emotional way...." Read more

"...There is a deep message in this book with dealing with physical as well as mental abuse...." Read more

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"What an amazing story of love, strength and community commitment . Just shows Momma bear can be a force very determined" Read more

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Champlain library staff book review – ‘the great alone’, by kristin hannah.

Posted by Submitted | Jul 12, 2022 | Books | Champlain

Anne Smith, Champlain Library

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

The Great Alone is a  book  that captured my heart and has led me to read other  book s set in the great outdoors. How could a place so alive and beautiful, be so harsh and cruel? You will find out if you read this book .

This is a story about a Vietnam veteran, a POW, from Seattle who inherits a property in Alaska (the Great Alone) from an army buddy. He, and his wife and daughter, decide to move there to escape unpleasant situations which have surfaced since his return from Vietnam.

It turns out, that the cabin they inherited “looked like something an old toothless hermit would live in.” They were determined however, to make the best of it. It wasn’t long before they found out that there were two type of folks who moved to Alaska – people running to something, and people running away from something.

Hannah cleverly weaves the characters in and out of situations that are not always in their control. There is a constant struggle between the love of the wilderness, the challenge to survive in winter and the love of family. Sometimes unfortunate and terrible things happen in life, but love always prevails.

If you like  book s based on true to life hardships with some love, mystery and intrigue, then this  book is for you. This is one of my favourite  book s. I also recommend The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, The Wild Heavens by Sarah Louise Butler, Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen, and A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale.

Book Review written by Anne Smith, Champlain Library Community Outreach Coordinator – About Me:  Every day is a blessing and I am very fortunate to live in Vankleek Hill and to work at the Champlain Library. I enjoy cooking, gardening, reading and playing the piano.

Bibliothèque Champlain Library; 94 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill, ON. K0B 1R0, 613-678-2216. Hours of operation: Mon., Wed. & Fri. : 1 – 6 p.m. Tue. & Thu. : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Did you know?  The Champlain library welcomes submissions of your photos, in progress or finished adult DIY kits, children’s take-home crafts and science experiments?   (Photos may be used on their website, e-mail blasts and social media pages)

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The Great Alone

By kristin hannah, a family drama and survival story set in alaska.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a story set in the Alaskan wilderness. As referenced in the book, the title comes from a line from a poem by Robert Service (“The Shooting of Dan McGrew”) where he refers to the remote Alaskan lands as the “Great Alone”.

I knew I’d read it sooner or later, since I’d heard so much about it, but it got pushed off for a while when I was reading The Snow Child (also about a family trying to make a life in Alaska). I’m always a little hesitant to jump into books with similar premises or similar settings.

Of course, aside from the general locale, I quickly discovered that these are two very different books — in tone, subject matter, time period and etcetera.

Plot Summary

For the Detailed Plot Summary, click here or scroll all the way down .

In The Great Alone , the Allbrights are a family who move to a small town in Alaska for a new start. Ernst, the father, is a Vietnam veteran and former POW who has struggled emotionally since the war. Cora, his wife, loves him and tries to help him. Leni is their young daughter.

Leni is hopeful when they first arrive in the small outpost of Kaneq. But as the days shorten and the sky darkens when winter appraches, Ernst’s temper and volatile impulses re-emerge. As Leni grows up, she and her mother must manage Ernst and the demons which haunt him.

Book Review

The Great Alone is a survival story, both about surviving in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness and about growing up with an abusive and volatile father. Ernst is a deeply flawed man. He prefers the company of survivalist and doomsdayer Mad Earl to that of the cheerier and more optimistic people in town. Cora remembers the man he once was and clings to that memory.

Hannah paints a vivid and memorable image of a family and a community making a life and surviving out in the wilderness. The small community she depicts is sparse, but vibrant, providing warmth and softening the edges of the harsh Alaskan landscape.

To be honest, I enjoyed the parts about surviving in Alaska, Ernst’s transformation and integrating with the community a lot more than and the parts about abuse. This is semi-unfortunate, since the novel becomes increasingly about Ernst’s violent temper as the novel progresses.

As such, I found the initial setup of The Great Alone , which spans approximately the first half of the book, really well done. It’s evenly paced and delivers a steady stream of emotional ups and downs as the Allbrights navigate this new territory and their new lives.

As the novel hits the half-way mark though, the story darkens, the book gets a lot more dramatic and starts to hit a repetitive note. I suppose this is probably a reflection of the experience of dealing with abusive family members and their victims, though knowing that didn’t keep me from feeling a little frustrated as the novel begins to drag on. That said, this is fairly minor and not a reason to skip this book, assuming you’re comfortable with the topic as a whole.

As the book concludes, a lot happens and Hannah rushes through the ending a bit, though I tend to be biased towards books that move a little too fast versus those that move a little too slow. Even with the speedy ending, it still manages overall to be a satisfying emotional journey up until the end.

Book Review: Some Criticisms

Apart from the middle that drags a little, my main caveat about this book is that it gets a little soap opera-y in a few parts. There’s a lot of Big Events that happen in the book that enhance the drama, but also start to feel like a crutch.

I would have preferred a little less melodrama and a little more introspection in this type of story, but it does make for an eventful plot.

Read it or Skip it?

The Great Alone is well-written, often heart-breaking and touching and sometimes a little frustrating emotional journey. The story drags on just a tad in the middle and gets a little over-dramatic in parts in terms of Big Events happening, but overall there’s a lot to like about it.

I thought Hannah did a good job with the topic, though ultimately it is largely about abuse, which I think is inherently a dark and (to put it lightly) “unpleasant” topic. It’s just something to be aware of going into the book that the story spends a substantial amount of time on that issue.

I think people who like plot-heavy books about heavy topics will like The Great Alone. It’s an accessible and well-written, though not particularly literary. There’s also a touch of melodrama in there and especially towards the end, which may be a plus or minus for you, depending on your reading preferences.

I wasn’t as captivated by it as some other readers seem to be, but I did think it was an interesting read as far as family dramas go. My favorite part of it was still the first hundred or so pages when the family is first getting settled into their new home in the Great Alone.

Did you read The Great Alone? What did you think? If not, is it something you’d consider reading?

The Great Alone Movie Adaptation

The Great Alone film adaptation is in development currently (as of May 2019). Tristar Pictures purchased the film rights in June of 2018. It sounds like the project is still in its early stages, but I’ll update as news comes out.

For all the details, see Everything We Know About the Great Alone Movie Adaptation .

Detailed Book Summary (Spoilers)

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I read it. I enjoyed the read but it is certainly a dark, serious read. It’s not something I’d take to the beach for a sunny afternoon read. If you want a book with emotional depth and a serious subject, this book certainly covers it. I would definitely recommend it for serious readers who don’t mind emotional and difficult subjects. Good and fair review on your part! Thanks!

Thank you for reading — and good point about this not being a good beach read. It was definitely more dark that I’d realized it would be going in. Thanks for your input!

Thanks for an intriguing review. I haven’t read this, but you make it sound very tempting. I will try to get to it.

That’s great to hear. Thank you for reading! :)

this sounds really interesting great review!

I am always intrigued by Alaska, so that part appeals to me, though, as an abuse survivor that topic is a hard one for me. However, I think I will go ahead and add this to my Goodreads list because it really sounds interesting and chances are that I will want to see the movie and I must read the book before seeing the movie. Thank you for this wonderful and insightful review.

It sounds like it will be a while before the movie comes out (if ever), so you probably have some time on that count. I’m sorry to hear about your experience with domestic abuse; I hope you find that the book does the topic justice. Thank you for your thoughts and I hope you enjoy it!

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t expecting it to be partly about domestic violence. I always hate reading about this topic as important as it is. But overall I thought this book was great.

I think I’d read at some point that there was some domestic violence in there, but I forgot by the time I actually decided to read the book so it took me a little off-guard, too! It’s a tough topic because I do think it’s inherently kind of frustrating. But yeah, there’s a lot to like about this book. Thanks for dropping by!

Nice review, thank you for sharing. I have not yet read The Great Alone, but am a huge Kristin Hannah fan. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her, am sure this would be no exception.

Thanks for reading! If you like her style, I bet you’ll really enjoy this book, since I think the story is pretty solid and it’s well-written. Happy reading and thanks for your thoughts!

I read it and on a normal day I would have given it 4/5. However, I just landed a job in rural Alaska so the setting really spoke to me. Although I agree that the plot was a little froofy at some points, it still was very well written and emotional.

Rachel || http://anotherstationanothermile.com

Oh that’s interesting to know that you’ve been in the same setting and found her description authentic. Haha, “froofy” is a good word for it. And yes, I really enjoyed it despite the “froof”! :)

Thanks for sharing! I read it a couple of months ago and felt the same way about it being a bit too melodramatic towards the end. Enjoyed the beginning a lot though.

glad I wasn’t the only one who felt that way! thanks for dropping by! :)

I found this book riveting. I didn’t want it to end.. Contrary to the view that the book “drags on,” I thought the the book was nearly impossible to put down. I would have read it in one stretch if work had allowed. The transitions between subplots were really effective. The author’s character development was outstanding, down to some of the most minor characters. What really struck me was the author’s poetic descriptions of people, places and events. I re-read several sections to really appreciate her gift for describing elements with such vibrant color. I agree with readers who say it is dark. That’s impossible to miss. It is a book filled with tragedy and feeling. As awful as Ernt is depicted as a husband and father, the author does a fantastic job of creating a complex character who loves his family. She doesn’t go into the “why” beyond is POW status and that was a wise digression to avoid in my view. I felt like I could understand the character. In my humble opinion, well done.

This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused. I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.

I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

Just finished reading the book and I enjoyed the plots of spousal abuse, PTSD, tough Alaskans and tragic romance. It’s a reality storyline of how neighbors take care of their own. The description of Alaska is beautifully told. Young woman should use Carla and Leni as am examples to free themselves from abuse. I didn’t let my spouse beat on me more than once and want woman to get out of abusive relationships before a tragedy. Read this soon.

I’m very eager to read the novel

Earliest comments described it aptly: an engaging, fascinating and well-paced first half gives way to a tedious, predictable middle and end. Furthermore, the two women are made to look weak and foolish, especially Leni with her endless bad choices leading to implausible plot twists, handwringing and whining self-blame. I realized too late it was written for pre-teen girls. Like Cora with her husband, I stuck with this rustic romance novel longer than I should have, desperately hoping it would return to the book I’d fallen in love with. I wanted to shoot it, but settled for returning it early.

Thank you for the summary because I could not finish this book! The characters were one dimensional and the dialogue was amateur. I really loved The Nightingale so I don’t know why I haven’t enjoyed all the other books I’ve read of Kristin Hannah’s. Historical inaccuracy always annoys me because I feel like it’s lazy writing. A quick Google search told me at-home pregnancy tests only became available in 1978 and they took two hours to get results. My mom had to go to her doctor for a pregnancy test in our small town in the Rocky Mountains in 1984; I doubt a general store in the middle of nowhere Alaska would have such new technology for the time period.

There is no “s” in Leni” s fathers name ERNT

Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a captivating story about survival. Her writing will draw you in immediately and you won’t be able to put it down. I couldn’t!

So, I have a confession: while I loved Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale –  I wasn’t originally sold on The Great Alone . A book about life in Alaska in the ’70s didn’t sound that appealing at first. But I kept seeing this book receive so much acclaim that I finally decided to give it a chance. And I’m so glad I did! Now I even want to make trip to Alaska. She’s that great of a writer.

The story is about a family that moves to Alaska in 1974. The father, Ernt Allbright, is a former POW that comes home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. He makes the impulsive decision to move his family to Alaska where they will live off the grid in America’s last frontier. The mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for Ernt, even if it means following him into the unknown. Their thirteen-year-old daughter Leni is caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate and stormy relationship. But she hopes that the new land will lead to a better future for her family.

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. But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. For more about the synopsis, click here .

Leni’s perspective

We mainly read the story from Leni’s perspective (there’s a couple sections that are told from the perspectives of other characters but I don’t want to give anything away). Even though Leni is thirteen when the book begins, this does not read like a YA novel. For one, because Leni’s parents have plenty of issues, she’s forced to grow up quicker than she should. And two, the author makes sure that Leni is present for many scenarios involving adult conversations, for instance, interactions with the other town residents and living in such close quarters with her family in the cabin. Even if we’re reading it through her eyes, we’re also reading the adult interactions as well. The book is split into several different sections and we see Leni go from a somewhat optimistic and hopeful pre-teen, a determined but wary teenager to a strong yet, also, hardened adult.

Unforgettable scenery and complex characters

This book gets super intense from the brutality of the Alaskan landscape to the portrait of a family in crisis. I loved the descriptions of Alaska, a place that I’ve never been. It sounds like only a certain type of person would be able to stand winters that are blanketed in eighteen hours of night. While it sounds beautiful, it’s also quite a dangerous place.

The author does a masterful job of crafting complicated characters. With Ernt’s undiagnosed PTSD causing havoc to not only the family but eventually the entire town, you’ll wish that Cora will take Leni away from the situation. But she can’t get rid of the image of Ernt pre-war and she hopes that he’ll become that man again. And this false hope comes with a big cost to many in the town but especially to Leni.

Leni is such a great character—I felt for her and rooted for her throughout the entire journey. She’s intelligent, resilient and full of compassion. Her romance with the character Andrew is beautiful and heartbreaking—and one of the strongest part of the novel.

I feel a big theme of this novel is the power of love but also how love can be manipulated, too— as in the case of Ernt and Cora.

There’s also quite a bit of characters in the read—including the fabulous Large Marge who is as strong as a woman that you’ll find in fiction.

This is an epic story of a family in crisis but mainly about a woman finding her inner and outer strength no matter what comes her way. It’s a must-read.

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Tuesday 24th of May 2022

You state that leni is in love with Andrew, when she was in love with Matthew. You used the Wrong name.

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Book Review: The Great Alone

by The Snug Bookworm | Jun 21, 2023 | Book Reviews , Historical Fiction

I’m a big fan of Kristin Hannah and her ability to craft stories that pull you in and refuse to let go. I’ve just turned the last page of her latest book, The Great Alone, and I’m still catching my breath. It’s another stunning testament to Hannah’s writing talent, and I’m eager to share my thoughts with you.

The Great Alone whisks you away to the untamed terrains of Alaska in the 1970s, a simultaneously beautiful and brutal world. Hannah deftly paints a portrait of Alaska’s serene beauty yet underscores the formidable challenges intrinsic to its harsh environment. 

She isn’t afraid to delve into the stark realities of life, particularly tackling the profound issue of domestic violence. But amidst the weighty subjects, the narrative unfolds a therapeutic layer, a resonance with nature’s healing rhythm, and a tribute to the human spirit that kept me riveted from cover to cover.

Now, let’s dive in further with this The Great Alone book review.

In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, set in Alaska in 1974, the Allbright family is thrust into the unpredictable and unyielding nature of America’s last frontier to escape their past and survive their present. Ernt Allbright, a former POW from the Vietnam War and a man beset by volatile changes, impulsively decides to uproot his family to Alaska, lured by the promise of living off-grid in the wild expanse.

His daughter, Leni, is a young teen growing up amidst the whirlwind of her parents’ stormy relationship. She clings to the hope that this new land might offer a brighter future. Cora, Leni’s mother, is blinded by love for her husband and follows him fearlessly into the great unknown. The family initially finds solace in the striking wilderness and the community that welcomes them. The long days, the kindness of their neighbors, and the untamed freedom seem to assuage the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter descends and Alaska’s relentless dark corners inch closer, Ernt’s mental state crumbles, leading to a schism in the family. The external perils soon take a backseat to the internal threats tearing at the family’s fabric. Trapped in their isolated cabin amid unending darkness, Leni and Cora come to grips with a brutal truth – they are their only saviors.

Stepping into the literary world of Kristin Hannah is always an emotional journey, and her novel The Great Alone is no exception. I fell in love with Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, so this book brought a certain sense of apprehension – can it live up to that masterpiece?

Hannah chose to venture down a new path with The Great Alone . This novel, a family drama set in the rough Alaskan wilderness, stands starkly apart from the World War II narrative of The Nightingale . But the departure is worth it. It tugs at your heartstrings with a mix of young adult romance and gut-wrenching family struggles that’ll have you reaching for tissues.

The Alaskan wilderness is the backdrop is both breathtaking beauty and formidable challenges. Hannah’s descriptions of Alaska are vivid, painting a picture of an untamed wilderness unspoiled by the trappings of modern tourism. This mirrors the complexity of Leni’s life, marked by moments of breathtaking joy and harsh reality.

Leni is a mix of innocence and wisdom, tested far beyond her young years. She is forced to navigate her father’s increasing instability and the codependent relationship between her parents. Her mother, Cora, remains loyal to Ernt despite his escalating violence. And it’s through this tangled web of love and fear that Leni’s character is honed – strong, resilient, and wise beyond her years.

Romantic love is a central theme in the book as well. There’s the burning, tumultuous love between Leni’s parents and the innocent love that blossoms between Leni and Matthew, the son of a wealthy local family. These relationships, fraught with complications and crises, provide an emotional depth that’s heartrending and relatable.

In her intricate portrayal of the Allbright family, Hannah demonstrates the dichotomy of love – its power to heal and its ability to harm. Each character is authentic and flawed, from Ernt’s scarred psyche to Cora’s desperate optimism and Leni’s tenacious spirit. This complicated web of relationships shows us the different forms that love can take, each fraught with unique struggles and joys.

The characters are neither purely good nor evil. They are individuals, shaped by their experiences and circumstances, striving for happiness and peace in a world that often seems set against them. Ernt, though undoubtedly the antagonist of the story, is portrayed as a man broken by war, his love capacity crushed, and his mind plagued by paranoia and nightmares. His portrayal, though disturbing, also serves as a poignant commentary on the long-term effects of trauma.

The secondary characters are also thoughtfully developed. Large Marge, who runs the local grocery, becomes a beacon of hope and help for the Allbright women. Matthew, the son of a wealthy local man, becomes an essential part of Leni’s life, offering her friendship and love in a desolate and harsh environment.

The Great Alone delves into the complexities of love, the harsh realities of life, and the resilience of the human spirit. It tells a tale of second chances, heartbreaking endings, and the power of redemption. Like the Alaskan wilderness, life in this story is beautiful, harsh, unpredictable, and, at times, cruel. But through it all, the characters find strength in each other and within themselves.

If you found this review helpful, you can check out the book at Bookshop.org here and support local bookstores along the way!

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Great Alone, The

Author: Kristin Hannah

An affecting novel of love and abuse,  The Great Alone  comingles beauty and sadness – the natural, rugged backdrop of the 1970s Alaskan frontier against the depression of poor choices and lifelong commitments. It’s a coming of age novel that fractures innocence. Leni’s belief in her family erodes as the small cabin forces her to see everything her parents have been trying to hide, from their passion to its inevitable violence. Leni herself is left to question love. Does love really involve fists and does loyalty require taking those beatings, accepting the fact that some dark day it will all go too far . . .  but he will truly be sorry. How far should one forgive mental darkness even if it is breed from the horrors of a war she doesn’t remember?

Against all this ragged emotion, portrayed by a narrator who is wakening to an adult world and trying to understand the lies and the truth (if any) behind them, is the fierce landscape of Alaska; it’s a world portrayed with so much love and yet, a brutal kind of honesty. Alaska is a land that will (and perhaps wants to) kill you. It’s not a place for the weak and in its very beauty there is darkness and danger. It’s not a place everyone could love, and yet Kristin Hannah kindles this flame in us. We see Alaska and mourn its loss in Leni’s life as circumstance makes her choose between who – and what – she loves most. It’s certainly never a land I would wish to live in; yet here, for the first, time I see something in its wild beauty that is appealing. It’s this something that mirrors the soul of our naïve narrator as she puts everything at risk in only the way of an ignorant teenager.

– Frances Carden

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The Great Alone

48 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-15

Chapters 16-18

Chapters 19-21

Chapters 22-24

Chapters 25-26

Chapters 27-29

Chapters 30-31

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Author Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone , originally published in 2017, tells the story of Leni Allbright’s coming of age in Alaska. The narrative encompasses Leni’s arrival, departure, and eventual return as an adult to the small town of Kaneq. The novel begins when Leni is 13 and her father decides to move the family to Alaska. Ernt Allbright , a Vietnam veteran who suffers post-traumatic stress due to his capture and torture during the war, has received land from a deceased wartime friend. He thinks that this will allow him to leave his trauma behind. Since the war, Ernt has found it difficult to hold down a job. This, along with his erratic moods, has created difficulties between him and his wife, Cora. Madly in love with Ernt, Cora supports the move and even procures money from her estranged parents to do so.

Life in Alaska is more difficult than the Allbrights expected, but they find their place in the Kaneq community. Ernt finds a kindred soul in Mad Earl, father to the friend who gave Ernt land, and the Allbrights become close to his family. They also receive help from the general store owner, Large Marge. Leni herself discovers her first friendship with Matthew Walker , son of one of the oldest homesteading families in Kaneq. However, the cruel winter soon tests Leni’s friendship with Matthew when his mother, Geneva, dies.

The turn of the weather also brings with it a decline in Ernt’s mental health. His nightmares resume, and he begins drinking heavily and arguing with Cora. During one of his absences, in which he has gone to drink, wolves attack the Allbrights’ animals and kill all their livestock. Distraught from losing their already meager supplies, Cora and Leni confide in Tom and Large Marge, their neighbors. Tom’s upbraiding of Ernt results in Ernt’s violence towards Cora back at the cabin. After she witnesses her father’s violence, Leni insists her mother leave him. As mother and daughter take to the road, they suffer a car accident, and Leni saves her mother by going for help. After her release from the hospital, Cora returns to Ernt, and Leni loses hope that her mother will leave him. Large Marge and Tom intervene, forcing Ernt to leave town to work at the pipeline during the winter.

Two years pass in which Cora and Leni continue making themselves at home in Alaska despite their rocky beginning. Ernt’s long absences give both a tenuous peace that shatters once he loses his job and returns home early. Kaneq has changed during the years, and Ernt reacts with hostility at Tom’s desire to make the town friendlier to tourists. He vandalizes the saloon and grows even more erratic. After Mad Earl’s death, Ernt’s behavior leads to his banishment from Mad Earl’s property. Matthew has returned to Kaneq during this tumultuous period. He and Leni rekindle their friendship, deepening it into romance despite the tension between Ernt and Tom. Once Cora finds out that Leni intends to study with Matthew at the university in Anchorage, she plans for Leni to go.

Ernt grows more volatile after Mad Earl’s family rejects him. He decides to construct a wall under the delusion of keeping Leni and Cora safe. When Cora decides to push Leni to escape, Leni calls for help, but Ernt hears her. He takes out his rage on Cora, but Matthew stops him. Cora asks Matthew to flee with Leni and hide from Ernt while she goes to the police. Honoring Cora’s wishes, Matthew takes Leni into the wilderness. When Leni tries to return to her mother, she slips on the terrain, and Matthew falls after her.

Although others eventually rescue Leni and Matthew, Matthew suffers severe consequences and falls into a coma. Guild-ridden and heartbroken, Leni returns home to find her father still there because her mother failed to press charges against him. Leni refuses to accept her father’s empty apologies, and the return of his temper does not surprise her. Matthew improves incrementally but sustains serious brain damage. During this time, Leni finds out that she is pregnant and tells Ernt, who lashes out. Cora, who has taken Ernt’s violence, refuses to see Leni as his victim. She shoots him twice, killing him. Cora and Leni hide Ernt’s body in the wilderness and ask for Large Marge’s help. Sympathetic, Large Marge directs them to leave evidence of a struggle and flee the state. According to her plan, everyone will think Ernt killed them. Large Marge arranges for Cora and Leni to fly to Seattle. Although Matthew is still in the rehabilitation facility, Leni has no choice but to leave for all their sakes.

Back in Seattle, Cora reaches out to her parents, who take her and Leni in. Patching up their estrangement, Cora’s lawyer father gives them fake documents to obtain new identities. Leni enrolls in college and gets a job. With her mother at her side, she gives birth to a boy she names after Matthew. Years later, Cora receives a cancer diagnosis. Her final wish is that Leni return to Alaska. To this end, Cora hands Leni an official confession that she is to turn into the police. Cora tells Leni to go scatter her ashes in their bay.

Unable to deny her mother and herself, Leni returns with her mother’s confession. While turning it in, she accidentally incriminates herself. The authorities arrest her, but Large Marge and Tom’s intervention sets her free. Leni sees Matthew and introduces him to their son. Matthew has been walking a long road to recovery, and the knowledge that he has a son moves him. Leni mentions her desire for them to be a family. The community comes together to memorialize Cora, and Leni carries out her mother’s last wish. The novel ends with an article that Leni writes on Alaska, recognizing that she belongs there.

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Novel Notions

Book review: the great alone, by kristin hannah, may 13, 2020 celeste comments 2 comments.

I came into The Great Alone expecting an adventure story. While there was indeed adventure in these pages, I found so much more than that. Hannah gives her readers a peak into not only Alaska, but into love in all its forms and scope and limitless variety . We see the love of a child for their parent and a parent for their child, and how far each would go to protect the other. We see romantic love so twisted that it becomes deadly to at least one party, and romantic love so strong and pure that it can conquer the worst adversities. We see the love that can grow within a community, and how family can form among completely unrelated people. And lacing all of these loves together, we see the love that nature can foster within a human heart, even when said nature is just as brutal and dangerous as it is stunningly beautiful.

“I think you stand by the people you love.”

The Great Alone is not at all a romance novel, though there is romance within its pages. It is a study of all the various types of love listed above. It is a display of the tenacity of the human spirit, and how much one can overcome, especially for the sake of another. It’s a coming of age story unlike any I’ve read before. And above all, it is a love letter to Alaska, the Great Alone. Rarely have I read a book with such a strong sense of place . I was completely captivated by its deadly beauty and, while I have no desire to move there myself, I can understand why those that do reside there become so fiercely loyal to and defined by the land that is their home.

“Alaska isn’t about who you were when you headed this way. It’s about who you become.”

The potential fragility of familial love isn’t something I think of often. I’ve been blessed with an incredibly stable and selfless family, and we love each other fiercely. But that love doesn’t have a lot to overcome to remain strong. And I’m incredibly thankful for that. Leni Allbright’s parents, Ernt and Cora, love each other. But it’s a poisonous, all consuming, jealous love that spins further and further out of control as Leni grows up. Being a prisoner of war in the Vietnam War changed Leni’s dad, and not for the better. Cora loves Ernt anyway, and so does Leni, but the woman and the girl live on edge, afraid that the least little thing they do wrong might set him off. When a fellow soldier dies and leaves Ernt his homestead in Alaska, the Allbrights pack up their lives and head north. They have no idea what they’re in for. But here, for the very first time, Leni feels like she’s found a home. Alaskan life might be incredibly hard, but it’s worth every drop of sweat .

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

If I had to define The Great Alone in one word, that word would be harrowing. Reading this book was emotionally exhausting and incredibly tense , but worth it. I’m not a big crier, especially over words on a page. But I cried my way through the last third of this particular book. My Novel Notions co-bloggers insisted that I share the fact that I finished reading this while sobbing into my pasta . I seasoned my lunch with the salt of my tears. I wish I was kidding. It broke me, y’all. I was so exhausted by the time it was over that I had to go sleep it off. And I’m not a napper. I can’t remember the last time I had such a visceral response to a book. The mother-daughter relationship at the heart of this book is the source of most of my wildly fluctuating emotions. The quote below actually made me put the book down and walk to my parents’ house, because I was bawling my eyes out and I desperately needed to hug my own mama.

You are my heart, baby girl. You are everything I did right. And I want you to know I would do it all again, every wonderful terrible second of it. I would do years and years of it again for one minute with you.”

I have a tendency to bounce between formats when reading a book. I have a physical copy that I would read, and then I would listen while walking my dog or folding laundry. By the time I was past the halfway point of The Great Alone , I had completely abandoned the physical copy. Julia Whelan narrated the audiobook and I think she did an absolutely brilliant job. It was a pitch perfect performance that added a lot to an already incredible book.

“Books are the mile markers of my life. Some people have family photos or home movies to record their past. I’ve got books. Characters. For as long as I can remember, books have been my safe place.”

The Great Alone is a phenomenal story of love and resilience and stark, deadly beauty. There is some pretty hard content in this book, especially regarding violence, but I feel that the darkness made the brightness within it even more brilliant. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year , and I will definitely be reading more of Hannah’s work in the not-too-distant future. I’ve been really missing out. The only novel of hers I had read before this was The Nightingale , which I loved, so I plan not to wait so long between her books from here on out. I’m already looking forward to rereading The Great Alone , in all of its formats, and my physical copy now has a place on the shelf that houses my lifetime favorites. I can’t praise it highly enough.

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2 thoughts on “ Book Review: The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah ”

Hannah’s description of Alaska is a love-letter to our frontier state, and I was not surprised to read that she was raised there for some of her childhood. This beautifully told story of survival (both physical and emotional) is a favorite of mine.

It was absolutely wonderful, Nancy. I loved finding out that information about Hannah’s life in the afterword. It made the story even more meaningful!

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The Great Alone Book Club Questions & Discussion Guide

Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone gives readers an engrossing story about a family drama set in the dramatic wilderness of Alaska. The main character, Leni, comes of age in the turbulent 70’s when her parent’s toxic relationship brings them to a remote area of Alaska. We see Leni growing up against the gorgeous and unforgiving backdrop of a small isolated Alaskan town, while she grapples with her view of family and love while trapped with her parents’ dysfunctional and abusive relationship. Use our The Great Alone book club questions to get started discussing the many layers of this dynamic book.

There are so many interesting topics to explore with this discussion guide for The Great Alone — abusive relationships, family ties, trauma, loyalty, sense of place, and the great Alaskan wilderness. Start with the book synopsis, use the book club questions to get your discussion going, and browse the selected reviews for some more discussion material.

For further reading, finish up with our suggestions for 3 books like The Great Alone to find similar stories to keep your TBR topped up.

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

The Great Alone Synopsis

The Great Alone , Kristin Hannah

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.

10 The Great Alone Book Club Questions

• “They were trapped, by environment and finances, but mostly by the sick, twisted love that bound her parents together.” So much of Leni’s life was shaped by her parents’ toxic relationship. How did this influence the way she viewed them? How did she handle the conflicting emotions?
• Abusive relationships are often complex, involving love, hatred, loyalty and guilt, among many other emotions. How did the author explore these complex feelings in the book, and how they led the family to stay together?
• Alaska plays a prominent role in this book, like another character. How does the wilderness reflect Leni’s life? How does it help shape her into the person she becomes?
• Many characters in this book have experienced trauma. War, abuse, death– what are the different ways they have dealt with it? How do their traumatic experiences reveal themselves later in life?
• “A girl was like a kite; without her mother’s strong, steady hold on the string, she might just float away, be lost somewhere among the clouds.” Leni and Cora have a strong bond throughout the book. What do you think about Cora’s choices as a mother? Do you think she was a good mother?
• “Fear, Leni learned, was not the small dark closet she’d always imagined; walls pressed in close, a ceiling you bumped your head on, a floor cold to the touch. No. Fear was a mansion, one room after another, connected by endless hallways.” Were you afraid for the characters in this book? What was the most threatening; the people, the Alaskan wilderness, or trying to leave?
• Did you foresee Ernst and Cora’s relationship ending the way it did? Why or why not?
• What did you think about Leni and Matthew’s relationship? Did it seem authentic to you?
• Leni used books and photography to help her process her turbulent childhood. How did they help her remain steady and process her life?
• “Everyone up here had two stories: the life before and the life now. If you wanted to pray to a weirdo god or live in a school bus or marry a goose, no one in Alaska was going to say crap to you. No one cared if you had an old car on your deck, let alone a rusted fridge. Any life that could be imagined could be lived up here.” What is it about Alaska that attracts people? Could you see yourself living in this environment?

Selected Reviews for The Great Alone

“Kristin Hannah really takes her time laying the foundation for the Allbright family and the tedious work the Alaskan wilderness demands and you know what, that was okay with me. It was around the halfway mark, when she switched gears, that everything came crashing down. There is a love story packed within these pages, although despite the anticipation, I found it all to be sort of lackluster. The words and the feelings were present on the page, demanding my consent, but I can’t say I ever truly felt their connection with every piece of my being […] With all of that said, I still found this to be a worthy read. I love the thought of living a simpler life—although probably not realistic for this city girl—and spending a bit of time in Alaska proved to be eye-opening and even sort of refreshing.”

“I loved this book. An entertaining and emotional read with an engrossing plot and well-developed characters. I could almost feel the bitter cold from the long isolating winters. But I could also see the beauty of Alaska with its gorgeous mountains and blue skies.”

“The Great Alone” does not disappoint. This was another fascinating, thought-provoking, and captivating read. Heartbreaking at times… but there were also moments of great love and unbelievable kindness. A gripping story where I was desperate to know what was going to happen next. A bittersweet but satisfying ending topped off this amazing read.”

“The torment she inflicts upon her characters is just so excessive. It doesn’t feel real. It’s impossible to believe that all this awfulness could happen to one person. And for me, what’s even worse is the corny, schmaltzy melodrama and emotional manipulation. It kills my reading experience. It pushes me over the edge to where I’m shaking my head, rolling my eyes, and disappointed that I am, once again, responding in this way to these wonderful stories […] Because I loved The Great Alone. Most of it, at least. Until sadly, I no longer did.”

3 Books Like The Great Alone

If you like the cold landscape of The Great Alone , then grab a cup of tea and a warm blanket and check out our list of books set in winter . And if you love Hannah, we’ve also got guides for The Nightingale and The Women .

The Glass Castle , Jeannette Walls

If you are looking for another page turner book centered around dysfunctional family dynamics, check out The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. 

In this memoir Walls recounts her turbulent childhood growing up with 3 siblings and nomadic parents who lived according to their own dreams, regardless of the effect on their children. Walls describes her relationship with her family with moving descriptions of their love and flaws, and her journey to independence.

The Snow Child , Eowyn Ivey

Looking for more Alaskan wilderness? In The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, a married couple move to Alaska in 1920, hoping to escape the sorrow of their child loss in the great wilderness. They face the brutal realities of homesteading in this dramatic environment, but fail to outrun their troubles and emotions. 

Everything changes when they discover a young girl named Faina who appears to live on her own in the wilderness near them; what they learn about Faina and her mystery will transform their lives. The book reads like a frosty fairy tale.

The Poisonwood Bible , Barbara Kingsolver

Nathan Price is a Baptist preacher who pushes his way into the Belgian Congo in 1959, followed by with his wife Orleanna and their four daughters. His arrogance brings the family into this drastically different world, and his wife and daughters suffer the consequences. 

The Poisonwood Bible tells the story through Orleanna and her daughters, and we see the ways they deal with their difficult family relationships, the effects of colonialism around them, how they attempt to fit into a new culture, and the beauty and harshness of the African land.

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