The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
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Lenora Allbright is 13 when her father convinces her mother, Cora, to forgo their inauspicious existence in Seattle and move to Kaneq, AK. It's 1974, and the former Vietnam POW sees a better future away from the noise and nightmares that plague him. Having been left a homestead by a buddy who died in the war, Ernt is secure in his beliefs, but never was a family less prepared for the reality of Alaska, the long, cold winters and isolation. Locals want to help out, especially classmate show more Matthew Walker, who likes everything about Leni. Yet the harsh conditions bring out the worst in Ernt, whose paranoia takes over their lives and exacerbates what Leni sees as the toxic relationship between her parents. The Allbrights are as green as greenhorns can be, and even first love must endure unimaginable hardship and tragedy as the wilderness tries to claim more victims. show lessTags
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5 1/2 stars. I read quite a few really good books last year, but the Great Alone outshines them all (and a great read to start off the new year). The book was intense and engaging, and it was so well written; I would not have begrudged the author a more tragic ending. I am, however, adding a warning (not really a spoiler) for anyone listening to the book and who is even a little claustrophobic - DON'T READ/LISTEN TO FILE 10 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT...i couldn't get back to sleep. It was so intense that i had to keep turning the file on and off before i finally decided to listen later on. It took me until the morning before I calmed down enough and was able to continue/finish in the light of day!
Life hasn’t been easy for Ernt Allbright, a former POW. Before the war, he and his wife Cora were very much in love. Now, after the war, everything is changed. He is not the man he was, and Cora tries to explain that to their young daughter, Leni. But making excuses for Ernt’s unpredictable and abusive behavior doesn’t lessen the pain and the fear. When Ernt inherits a cabin in Alaska, the move there seems like a new beginning. Unprepared for the harshness of the land, and the abundant darkness in the winter, Ernt becomes even worse. But no one could have predicted where it would lead. Author Kristin Hannah has painted a picture of Alaska with words so clearly that the reader can feel the despair that pours from the page. Yet, show more even then, there is beauty in the land. The tangle of relationships shared by these flawed characters will surely tug at your heart as you hope, if not for the best, that at least something good can be salvaged. Masterfully written and not soon forgotten, this is a novel that illustrates that courage can come from struggles, and hope is strengthened by lasting friendships. show less
Ernt, Cora and Leni: the Allbright family seem very close-knit, with two young, beautiful parents deeply in love and a lively, affectionate daughter.
Yet a dark shadow hangs over them. Ernt, a Vietnam War veteran, like many of his peers, returned home alive and physically unharmed, but deeply traumatised. He suffers from what we would now call PTSD — a condition that, at the time in which the story is set, had not yet been properly identified or treated. He drinks too much and, prone to sudden, irrational outbursts of anger, struggles to hold down a job. His jealousy is also easily provoked by his wife’s beauty and her naturally open manner, albeit entirely innocent.
Consequently, the family is constantly on the move, in pursuit of show more Ernt’s elusive vision of the perfect place to settle. This instability takes a heavy toll on Leni, who is repeatedly forced to play the role of the ‘new girl’ at school — a particularly difficult position for a red-haired teenager who feels physically less developed than her female peers.
Everything changes when Ernt receives an unexpected letter: the father of a fellow soldier, to whom he was very close — and who never returned from the war — offers him his son’s property in Alaska.
And so the family sets off for the last frontier. They are unprepared for what awaits them: inexperienced, ill-equipped and far removed from the realities of such a life; yet the small community they encounter proves generous and supportive, helping them to find their feet.
But Alaska is not just a land of breathtaking landscapes, natural abundance and warm-hearted people. It is also a place of long, dark and merciless winters, capable of awakening the darkest impulses of the human soul; a remote and insular society, fiercely individualistic, where even the most far-fetched conspiracy theories can take root and flourish.
"The Great Alone" — a title taken from the poem "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" by the Alaskan poet Robert W. Service — is, however, a novel with an uneven narrative structure. The opening is gripping and beautifully written, and through Leni’s perspective the reader follows the family’s story with genuine engagement, at least until their arrival and settlement in Alaska.
From that point onwards, the narrative becomes more episodic, unfolding through a series of short vignettes capturing moments in the lives of Leni and those around her. The narrative regains momentum when Leni meets Matthew, her first great love, and in the depiction of the events that ultimately lead Leni and Cora to flee Alaska.
The final section, however, feels a little too sentimental.
Ultimately, this is a novel that tackles a wide range of themes — perhaps too many to be fully sustained within a coherent narrative. At times, the author seems to oversimplify complex dynamics, reducing cause-and-effect relationships to something almost banal. Furthermore, apart from Leni, most of the characters lack depth and nuance. Nevertheless, the strength of the opening and the evocative descriptions of the setting ensure that the overall reading experience remains, all things considered, rewarding. show less
Yet a dark shadow hangs over them. Ernt, a Vietnam War veteran, like many of his peers, returned home alive and physically unharmed, but deeply traumatised. He suffers from what we would now call PTSD — a condition that, at the time in which the story is set, had not yet been properly identified or treated. He drinks too much and, prone to sudden, irrational outbursts of anger, struggles to hold down a job. His jealousy is also easily provoked by his wife’s beauty and her naturally open manner, albeit entirely innocent.
Consequently, the family is constantly on the move, in pursuit of show more Ernt’s elusive vision of the perfect place to settle. This instability takes a heavy toll on Leni, who is repeatedly forced to play the role of the ‘new girl’ at school — a particularly difficult position for a red-haired teenager who feels physically less developed than her female peers.
Everything changes when Ernt receives an unexpected letter: the father of a fellow soldier, to whom he was very close — and who never returned from the war — offers him his son’s property in Alaska.
And so the family sets off for the last frontier. They are unprepared for what awaits them: inexperienced, ill-equipped and far removed from the realities of such a life; yet the small community they encounter proves generous and supportive, helping them to find their feet.
But Alaska is not just a land of breathtaking landscapes, natural abundance and warm-hearted people. It is also a place of long, dark and merciless winters, capable of awakening the darkest impulses of the human soul; a remote and insular society, fiercely individualistic, where even the most far-fetched conspiracy theories can take root and flourish.
"The Great Alone" — a title taken from the poem "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" by the Alaskan poet Robert W. Service — is, however, a novel with an uneven narrative structure. The opening is gripping and beautifully written, and through Leni’s perspective the reader follows the family’s story with genuine engagement, at least until their arrival and settlement in Alaska.
From that point onwards, the narrative becomes more episodic, unfolding through a series of short vignettes capturing moments in the lives of Leni and those around her. The narrative regains momentum when Leni meets Matthew, her first great love, and in the depiction of the events that ultimately lead Leni and Cora to flee Alaska.
The final section, however, feels a little too sentimental.
Ultimately, this is a novel that tackles a wide range of themes — perhaps too many to be fully sustained within a coherent narrative. At times, the author seems to oversimplify complex dynamics, reducing cause-and-effect relationships to something almost banal. Furthermore, apart from Leni, most of the characters lack depth and nuance. Nevertheless, the strength of the opening and the evocative descriptions of the setting ensure that the overall reading experience remains, all things considered, rewarding. show less
The Great Alone is a gripping blend of survival story and coming-of-age novel set in 1970s Alaska. It follows a family seeking a fresh start in the remote wilderness, only to find that isolation brings its own dangers.
Hannah’s characters feel vividly real, and the warmth and resilience of the small community that welcomes them adds depth and heart to the story. At the same time, the novel does not shy away from darker themes. The lingering trauma of war manifests in cycles of domestic violence within the family, intensifying during the harsh winter months and leading to devastating consequences.
Both beautiful and unsettling, this novel captures the brutal power of nature alongside the fragility—and strength—of human relationships.
Hannah’s characters feel vividly real, and the warmth and resilience of the small community that welcomes them adds depth and heart to the story. At the same time, the novel does not shy away from darker themes. The lingering trauma of war manifests in cycles of domestic violence within the family, intensifying during the harsh winter months and leading to devastating consequences.
Both beautiful and unsettling, this novel captures the brutal power of nature alongside the fragility—and strength—of human relationships.
6/5 Stars – Emotionally Unwell and Low-Key Mad at Kristin Hannah
So apparently, Kristin Hannah’s goal with The Great Alone was to emotionally obliterate me and then casually walk away like it was no big deal. Mission accomplished, Kristin. Hope you’re happy.
This book is about a family that decides, “Hey, you know what sounds like a great idea? Moving to the middle of nowhere Alaska with zero survival skills and a boatload of trauma.” Spoiler alert: it goes exactly how you think it would.
Leni, our girl, is trying to grow up and find herself while dodging moose, surviving the wilderness, and also navigating the delightful chaos of an emotionally volatile father and a mother who deserves so much better. It’s like Little House on show more the Prairie meets The Shining, with bonus heartbreak.
The descriptions of Alaska? Breathtaking. So stunning that I briefly considered quitting my life to go live in a log cabin—until I remembered I complain when the Wi-Fi drops for two minutes.
By the end, I was a shell of a person. I cried. I yelled. I questioned why I thought this was a relaxing weekend read. And yet… it was amazing. The kind of book that grabs your soul, throws it around a bit, and then tenderly pats your head like, “There, there.”
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t forget to hydrate—you’ll lose a lot of fluids from the crying. show less
So apparently, Kristin Hannah’s goal with The Great Alone was to emotionally obliterate me and then casually walk away like it was no big deal. Mission accomplished, Kristin. Hope you’re happy.
This book is about a family that decides, “Hey, you know what sounds like a great idea? Moving to the middle of nowhere Alaska with zero survival skills and a boatload of trauma.” Spoiler alert: it goes exactly how you think it would.
Leni, our girl, is trying to grow up and find herself while dodging moose, surviving the wilderness, and also navigating the delightful chaos of an emotionally volatile father and a mother who deserves so much better. It’s like Little House on show more the Prairie meets The Shining, with bonus heartbreak.
The descriptions of Alaska? Breathtaking. So stunning that I briefly considered quitting my life to go live in a log cabin—until I remembered I complain when the Wi-Fi drops for two minutes.
By the end, I was a shell of a person. I cried. I yelled. I questioned why I thought this was a relaxing weekend read. And yet… it was amazing. The kind of book that grabs your soul, throws it around a bit, and then tenderly pats your head like, “There, there.”
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t forget to hydrate—you’ll lose a lot of fluids from the crying. show less
I wouldn’t say I had a good time during this book. This was haunting. Most definitely because of my job, the violence was hard to listen to. A story of resilience through hardship after hardship. I cried like a baby at the end. At work. Just so, so moving. Kristin Hannah takes my heart out, cuts it up, & then sews it back together again. Oof. Read if you need a good cry. Brb gotta go kiss my husband for being so amazing.
Quotes that stuck with me:
“Hope could break you, how it was a shiny lure for the unwary. What happened to you if you hopes too hard for the best and got the worst? Was it better not to hope at all, to prepare?”
“Fatal mistakes often look ordinary.”
“Books were only a reflection of real life, not the thing show more itself.”
“Some choices you don’t recover from.”
“One thing she had right was about the durability of love. It stays. Against all odds, in the face of hate, it stays.”
“Home was a state of mind, the peace that came from being who you were and living an honest life.”
“Kids are durable, and so is their love.” show less
Quotes that stuck with me:
“Hope could break you, how it was a shiny lure for the unwary. What happened to you if you hopes too hard for the best and got the worst? Was it better not to hope at all, to prepare?”
“Fatal mistakes often look ordinary.”
“Books were only a reflection of real life, not the thing show more itself.”
“Some choices you don’t recover from.”
“One thing she had right was about the durability of love. It stays. Against all odds, in the face of hate, it stays.”
“Home was a state of mind, the peace that came from being who you were and living an honest life.”
“Kids are durable, and so is their love.” show less
Unforgettable saga set in the last American frontier.
In 1974, Ernt Albright, ex Vietnam War POW decides to move his wife and daughter to the outer reaches of northern Alaska where they will try to make a life in the wilds off the grid. None of them have a clue as to what awaits and how desperate and dire their circumstances once they arrive. Summer treats them well and Ernt, Cora, and Leni work through all the daylight hours preparing for the coming winter. They make friends with some of the neighbors and there is relative peace. Then the darkness comes, ushering in a time of peril for them all. And all the worst dangers are not outside in the treacherous climate and the wild animals are not their most terrible threat. The biggest show more problem is inside their small cabin. It’s Ernt.
This novel gives you all the feels as the Allbright’s experience in Alaska runs the gamut from exciting to bloodshed. As they develop the resilience and skill to handle their daily existence, it’s obvious that Ernt is breaking down and that Cora and Leni are in fraught situations. He’s a loose cannon and Cora’s bad decisions don’t help. Leni loves her mother desperately, but she can’t get Cora to see the truth about Ernt. And then the moment comes when Leni and Cora have to respond.
I typically do not care for coming of age plots and teenage main characters so it surprised me how much I loved this book. I also found that Alaska itself was another main character and I could see the appeal of that wild place to a certain type of person. Me, on the other hand, lazy type princess who loves to have everything nice and fresh and clean, can’t wait to go to the grocery store and shop, could not have lasted a day there. I’m not cut out for that pioneer lifestyle, but I definitely admired those characters in the book for how they thrived and became part of their land.
I was able to listen to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. Her voice and passion really gave the characters distinct personalities and brought them all to life. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Highly recommend this. I’m sure I will be thinking about it for a long time. show less
In 1974, Ernt Albright, ex Vietnam War POW decides to move his wife and daughter to the outer reaches of northern Alaska where they will try to make a life in the wilds off the grid. None of them have a clue as to what awaits and how desperate and dire their circumstances once they arrive. Summer treats them well and Ernt, Cora, and Leni work through all the daylight hours preparing for the coming winter. They make friends with some of the neighbors and there is relative peace. Then the darkness comes, ushering in a time of peril for them all. And all the worst dangers are not outside in the treacherous climate and the wild animals are not their most terrible threat. The biggest show more problem is inside their small cabin. It’s Ernt.
This novel gives you all the feels as the Allbright’s experience in Alaska runs the gamut from exciting to bloodshed. As they develop the resilience and skill to handle their daily existence, it’s obvious that Ernt is breaking down and that Cora and Leni are in fraught situations. He’s a loose cannon and Cora’s bad decisions don’t help. Leni loves her mother desperately, but she can’t get Cora to see the truth about Ernt. And then the moment comes when Leni and Cora have to respond.
I typically do not care for coming of age plots and teenage main characters so it surprised me how much I loved this book. I also found that Alaska itself was another main character and I could see the appeal of that wild place to a certain type of person. Me, on the other hand, lazy type princess who loves to have everything nice and fresh and clean, can’t wait to go to the grocery store and shop, could not have lasted a day there. I’m not cut out for that pioneer lifestyle, but I definitely admired those characters in the book for how they thrived and became part of their land.
I was able to listen to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. Her voice and passion really gave the characters distinct personalities and brought them all to life. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Highly recommend this. I’m sure I will be thinking about it for a long time. show less
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Author Information
83+ Works 77,323 Members
Kristin Hannah was born in Southern California in September 1960. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in an advertising agency and practiced law in Seattle. Hannah and her mom began writing a novel together when her mother was suffering from cancer. When her mother died, she put the draft away and continued to practice law. While show more pregnant with her son, and on bed rest, she took out the draft that she and her mother had written and began to write in earnest. Her draft was done by the time she gave birth. In 1990, she became a published writer and has been writing ever since. She has won numerous awards including the Golden Heart, the Maggie and 1996 National Reader's Choice award. In 2004, she won the Rita Award for Best Novel: Between Sisters. Her title Winter Garden made the New York Times Bestseller List for 2011. Many of Hannah's other titles have made the New York Times Bestsellers List since then including: Night Road, Home Again, Home Front, Fly Away, The Nightingale, Comfort and Joy, True Colours, and The Great Alone. She has written a series entitled Girls of Firefly Lane which includes the books, Firefly Lane, and Fly Away. Two of her books are being made into feature films, The Nightingale, and Home Front. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Great Alone
- Original title
- The Great Alone
- Original publication date
- 2018-02-06
- People/Characters
- Lenora "Leni" Allbright Walker; Ernt Allbright; Coralline "Cora" Margaret Golliher Allbright; Marge "Large Marge" Birdsall; Natalie Watkins; Geneva Walker (show all 23); Earl "Mad Earl" Harlan; Thelma Schill; Ted Schill; Marybet "Moppet" Schill; Tica Rhodes; Matthew Denali Walker; Tom Walker; Alyeska "Aly" Walker; Clyde Harlan; Donna Harlan; Marthe Harlan; Agnes Harlan; Cecil Golliher; Eve Golliher; Matthew "MJ" Denali Walker, Jr.; Curt Ward; Atka Walker
- Important places
- Kaneq, Alaska, USA; Seattle, Washington, USA; Fairbanks, Alaska, USA; Homer, Alaska, USA; Alaska, USA
- Important events
- Vietnam War
- Epigraph
- Nature never deceives us; it is always we who deceive ourselves.
---JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU - Dedication
- To the women in my family. All of them are warriors. Sharon, Debbie, Laura, Julie, Mackenzie, Sara, Kaylee, Toni, Jacquie, Dana, Leslie, Katie, Joan, Jerrie, Liz, Courtney, and Stephanie.
And to Braden, our newest adve... (show all)nturer. - First words
- That spring, rain fell in great sweeping gusts that rattled the rooftops.
- Quotations
- "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."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I belong.
- Blurbers
- Crowe, Stephanie; McFarlane, Nancy; Caldwell, Kathleen
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PS3558.A4763
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