The Great Alone Book Review
“... home was not just a cabin in a deep woods that overlooked a placid cove. Home was a state of mind, the peace that came from being who you were and living an honest life. ― Kristin Hannah, The Great Alone *
Leni, a quiet girl with unruly red hair, has never really known the meaning of home. When her father finally returned from Vietnam after being held captive for years, he was as restless as he was angry. Leni and her mother, Cora, moved at the suddenly and often at whim of Ernt, usually when his volatile temper lead to him from being fired from yet another job.
When Ernt has finally burned all his bridges in Seattle, he seizes an opportunity to bring his family north to Alaska, the last frontier. The three wanderers pack their belongings into a rusty VW van and head off into the unknown. When they arrive in the warmth and near constant daylight of summer in Homer, they quickly realize that they are woefully unprepared for the fast-approaching darkness of winter.
Their neighbors, kind and welcoming, but deeply concerned about the young trio, try their best to help them ready for coming season. But can any amount of canning, smoking, and wood chopping prepare Ernt’s for the absolute stillness of an Alaskan winter? And when the silence becomes too sharp for Ernt, will anyone hear the pleas of little Leni and her mother, alone in the cabin in the woods with an unpredictable and violent monster?
This tale of toxic love and it’s stark juxtaposition to the unforgiving beauty of the Alaskan landscape will have you hooked. Only Kristin Hannah can craft a story of desperation and tragedy with such grace.
The Great Alone is a beautiful testament to the strength and fortitude of those who call Alaska home. If you enjoy family dramas and the triumph of love over evil, you will love The Great Alone*.
What have you been reading lately? Tell me all about in the comments below.
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