Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

15 hrs and 1 min
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 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 18 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 audiobook about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.

Audible Audio, Unabridged, 16 pages

Published February 6th 2018 by Macmillan Audio 

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction/Adult Fiction

Narrator: Julia Whelan

Kristine's Thoughts:

Kristin Hannah did it again. She penned another novel that completely captivated me and threw me right in the middle of the story. I listened to this book and thank goodness it had an amazing narrator. I have listened to a couple of other books that Julia Whelan has narrated and she is fabulous. The narrator can truly make or break the book.

This book has been out for some time so I won't go into too much detail. There are literally thousands of reviews that do that. What I will do is tell you what it was that I loved so much about this book besides the general plot. This book took you to Alaska in the 1970's literally. With the descriptions and attention to detail it made the reader feel like they were there. You could almost feel the cold and isolation. A very vivid picture of the location was painted. Not only was it easy to visualise but it was fascinating. Alaska was just as much a character as the people in the book.

As far as the characters went, I ached for Leni and Cora. I went through many emotions while listening to their story unfold. There was anger, frustration, fear, sadness and hope. The resilience of these two was more than I could possibly put in words. Their story was not easy. Their lives were not easy.

I can't recommend this book enough. It was truly a wonderful and captivating story that I won't forget any time soon.

About the Author

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. Additionally, it was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.

Kristin's highly anticipated new release, The Great Alone, will be published on February 6, 2018 (St. Martin's Press). The novel, an epic love story and intimate family drama set in Alaska in the turbulent 1970's is a daring, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival and the wildness that lives in both nature and man. It has been listed as one of the most anticipated novels of the year by The Seattle Times, Bustle.com, PopSugar, Working Mother, Southern Living, and Goodreads.

The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with award-winning director Michelle MacLaren set to direct. Home Front was optioned for film by 1492 Films (produced the Oscar-nominated The Help) with Chris Columbus attached to write, produce, and direct. Movie news on The Great Alone is coming soon.

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