The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Summary:

Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. A story of a family in crisis struggling to survive at the edge of the world, it is also a story of young and enduring love. Cora Allbright and her husband Ernt, a recently-returned Vietnam veteran scarred by the war, uproot their thirteen-year-old daughter Leni to start a new life in Alaska. Utterly unprepared for the weather and the isolation, but welcomed by the close-knit community, they fight to build a home in this harsh, beautiful wilderness.  At once an epic story of human survival and love, and an intimate portrait of a family tested beyond endurance, The Great Alone offers a glimpse into a vanishing way of life in America.

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My Thoughts:

     I would first like to admit that this is only my second time reading Kristin Hannah. My first was, of course, the amazing hit of a couple of years ago, The Nightingale.  I was completely surprised and thrilled to get the opportunity to read her latest in advance.
     I had no idea what the book was about going in but I still would have bee excited to read had I known they synopsis.  That being said, this book is so beautiful! There is struggle, love, friendships and redemption.  Ms. Hannah seems to be able to write about anything and make it meaningful to you no matter the subject.
  The characters were people you could really care about and feel sympathy for even when you really don't like them. And the setting of Alaska was a whole character in and of itself.  There are some scenes of domestic violence that may bother some but this is really a story of strength and love.  Have tissues near by! 4.5/5 stars

P.S. Be sure the read the author's acknowledgments at the end to see the personal connection to Alaska-makes the story even better.

Favorite quotes:

"You know what they say about finding a man in Alaska-the odds are good , but the goods are odd."

"The world could tumble, change radically in two days, with just one less person in it."

"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."

"Families and futures are fragile."

 

 

 

Author's site: https://kristinhannah.com/