The Great Alone: From the multimillion copy bestselling author of The Women, The Nightingale and The Four Winds Paperback – 21 Dec. 2023

Loved this story from begging to end.A non stop pick up and read novel of love years and happiness.Ready for the next Kirstin Hannah read.

Captivating, emotional and beautifully written novel set in Alaska. I can't even put into words how wonderfully descriptive this story is. If you loved 'when the crawdads sing' then you will definitely enjoy this book, about human relationships, survival and love in all it's forms, the love of a mother, daughter, father, lover and friends. I don't want to give the plot away, but do want to say ...just read the book for yourself and be swept away to Alaska!. It is now among my favourite books to read list! I will be looking at reading further books from this author.

Going into The Great Alone I was largely drawn due to the setting of Alaska (I feel such a pull to books set in this state), however having now completed this book, I can confirm Kristin Hannah crafts a truly atmospheric and immersive backdrop, but she also writes characters you find yourself invested in & rooting for.Moving to Alaska is supposed to be a fresh start for the Allbright family... Except Ernt, a Vietnam war veteran finds his demons travel to Alaska with him, seeing his wife, Cora, and daughter, Leni, bearing the brunt of it. Note: domestic violence is strong and recurring throughout this book. The Great Alone makes for hard reading, not only because of the domestic violence, but also actions and events that occur due to Ernt’s paranoid state of mind.The Great Alone spans a course of more than ten years, through which we see the trials & tribulations of the Allbright family – especially the growth and perseverance of Leni; a young girl who we see transform into a woman as we page turn, a female protagonist that possesses an astounding strength.Without a doubt Leni stands out to me by way of characters, and she is someone who will stay with me for a while, but also I greatly enjoyed the character of Large Marge. Large Marge is a shopkeeper in the Alaskan town the family settle into, and someone who very quickly befriends the females of the Allbright family. She is such a character! I actually quite enjoyed the entire community of Kaneq, liking not only the dynamics of the town but also the individuality of the characters found there.The setting of the Alaskan wilderness felt like a character in its own right at times; I just love when a location feels like that. There is such beauty to be found there but a severe harshness also, which is depicted so well. I like how we were able to experience Alaska during each season, especially during winter. Upon reflection, I think the way in which Alaska is written mirrors the personality of Ernt Allbright a fair bit.I have a number of positive thoughts and takeaways from my reading experience of The Great Alone, but I also have quite a significant negative: the ending. The end of The Great Alone felt rushed in my opinion and didn’t have the same depth I found in the first three quarters of the book. Overall, I would still recommend this book to others – especially for the landscape & themes of love, courage, and strength.

A wonderful read . Beautifully written and researched. It brought the beauty and perils of this land alive. One of my favourites .

I love this book. I have been fascinated by Alaska most of my life. This just fields that interest more. The story was difficult, frightening, heartbreak and beautiful all at the same time.

Read this book while on holiday I Alaska. Loved everything about it. Laughed, wept, couldn’t put it down. The characters were so well formed and the atmosphere and descriptions of Alaska were epic. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Will stay with me.

It’s 1974.The Vietnam war is finally over.And 13 year old Leni’s dad, Ernt, is back home. Following Ernt’s arrival, Leni finds herself caught in the riptide of her parents’ tumultuous marriage; a silent spectator to her dad’s volatile temper.Her mama, Cora, insists Ernt is a good man. A loving husband and father simply battling the terrifying war flashbacks haunting his thoughts; making him lash out from time to time. Sure, dad is scary sometimes, but he loves mama and Leni to death.Desperate for a fresh start, Ernt decides to move his family to Alaska. Leni isn’t too sure, but mama will do anything for the man she loves; and, ever her mama’s loyal shadow, Leni will always do as she says, even if it may destroy them both.Alaska is an otherworldly place, with awe-inspiring beauty combined with a wilderness that is an unforgiving testing ground for all those whom dare make it their home. With the support of the small community who live nearby, Leni and her parents soon settle into this new way of Alaskan life.But, as the days get shorter and the nights longer, Ernt’s condition worsens; his outbursts become more frequent. While mother and daughter muster the strength to endure the unbearable, it’s not long before something eventually snaps.Kristin Hannah’s combination of elegant prose and detailed character development certainly made for an emotionally charged reading experience. Mama and Leni’s relationship in particular was beautifully crafted; celebrating the remarkable strength of women and the impenetrable bond between mother and daughter.Overall, a devastating character-driven tale with moments of beauty littered throughout. It’s definitely a slow-burn-type novel; one that is intended to be gently savoured. Would absolutely recommend if you’re looking for some impactful historical and/or domestic coming of age fiction!