Author: Kristin Hannah
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Publication Date: February
6, 2018
6, 2018
Genre: Literary Fiction
My Rating: 4.5
Goodreads Synopsis
Alaska,
1974.
1974.
Unpredictable.
Unforgiving. Untamed.
Unforgiving. Untamed.
For
a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.
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.
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 it means following him into the unknown
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 it 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.
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.
My Thoughts…
The Great Alone is one of those books that kind of stick with you after you
put it down. Super heavy and dramatic
but with lighthearted moments.
put it down. Super heavy and dramatic
but with lighthearted moments.
I really like the way Hannah plays on the concept of
victim. In a way, Ernt is a victim. A man destroyed by a horrific and pointless
war. He is broken when he comes home, no
longer the man or father he once was. He
ends up repeating the cycle of abuse with his wife and then his daughter.
victim. In a way, Ernt is a victim. A man destroyed by a horrific and pointless
war. He is broken when he comes home, no
longer the man or father he once was. He
ends up repeating the cycle of abuse with his wife and then his daughter.
I’m curious to see when people think Leni’s mom, Cora, should
have left. In a relationship with
someone who is mentally ill, is there an added amount of responsibility to care
for them? Especially, at a time when
women could not have necessarily committed their husbands for PTSD, should she
have left when he became violent? When
he refused treatment or help? I know
Hannah framed the relationship as toxic love, but part of me thought Cora felt
she had an obligation to Ernt.
have left. In a relationship with
someone who is mentally ill, is there an added amount of responsibility to care
for them? Especially, at a time when
women could not have necessarily committed their husbands for PTSD, should she
have left when he became violent? When
he refused treatment or help? I know
Hannah framed the relationship as toxic love, but part of me thought Cora felt
she had an obligation to Ernt.
Having read the Nightingale, I was already aware of
the emotional punch that Kristin Hannah can pack. I just wasn’t ready for the investment I made
into the characters.
the emotional punch that Kristin Hannah can pack. I just wasn’t ready for the investment I made
into the characters.
The Characters…
Leni is obviously a great character who grew throughout the
book, literally. She ages many years,
but due to her unconventional upbringing, is extremely naïve. Her love for her mother is beautiful but also
detrimental, while her love for Alaska is pure.
book, literally. She ages many years,
but due to her unconventional upbringing, is extremely naïve. Her love for her mother is beautiful but also
detrimental, while her love for Alaska is pure.
Ernt was an a**hole, let’s be honest, but Cora was truly
frustrating. Maybe I’m being too
judgmental, but at some point, as a mother you have to protect your kid no
matter how much you love your husband.
In the end she does, but seriously, she could have just said, “No, Ernt,
we are not moving with you to Alaska.” Or
maybe, “My daughter deserves better.” I
don’t know, it’s hard for me to really know what I would do, but I could not
help getting extremely frustrated with Cora.
frustrating. Maybe I’m being too
judgmental, but at some point, as a mother you have to protect your kid no
matter how much you love your husband.
In the end she does, but seriously, she could have just said, “No, Ernt,
we are not moving with you to Alaska.” Or
maybe, “My daughter deserves better.” I
don’t know, it’s hard for me to really know what I would do, but I could not
help getting extremely frustrated with Cora.
Large Marge deserves an honorable mention. Hysterically funny and strikingly honest,
Marge is spark of lightness and a pillar of strength in the story.
Marge is spark of lightness and a pillar of strength in the story.
For me though, Alaska was the true star. Devastatingly beautiful, dangerous, and
unforgiving.
unforgiving.
Audiobook Review…
The narrator for this
book was pretty good. I really felt like
she was Leni, even though the Leni characters grows some during the book. I didn’t quite believe the depiction Ernt,
but maybe I just needed him to sound like an unforgiveable monster.
book was pretty good. I really felt like
she was Leni, even though the Leni characters grows some during the book. I didn’t quite believe the depiction Ernt,
but maybe I just needed him to sound like an unforgiveable monster.
Memorable Lines…
“A thing can be true and
not the truth,”
not the truth,”
― Kristin Hannah, The Great Alone
“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.”
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
Let’s Talk…
What do you think of how Cora
handled the situation? Did you ever feel like she should have protected Leni at
the expense of her love for Ernt?
handled the situation? Did you ever feel like she should have protected Leni at
the expense of her love for Ernt?
Did you like the ending?
I have this on my wishlist Amy. I am glad to see you enjoyed it. I love the setting.
Did you read The Nightingale?