DigeeBooks

In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, a desperate family seeks a new beginning in the near-isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature.

#1 New York Times Instant Bestseller (February 2018)
A People “Book of the Week”
Buzzfeed’s “Most Anticipated Women’s Fiction Reads of 2018”
Seattle Times’s “Books to Look Forward to in 2018”

Alaska, 1974. Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.

In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights 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 newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own.

In Kristin Hannah's gripping novel, "The Great Alone", we embark on a poignant journey with the Allbright family as they navigate the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska in the 1970s. Led by fiercely independent patriarch Ernt Allbright, his wife Cora, and their young daughter Leni, they seek a life of self-sufficiency and freedom in the remote frontier.

As they settle into their rugged homestead, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and harsh conditions, the Allbrights face challenges that test their resilience and unity. Ernt's unwavering belief in the power of the wilderness and his determination to live off the land puts a strain on his family's well-being, particularly his volatile relationship with Cora.

Leni, caught between the world she's known and the one her father yearns for, struggles to find her place in this isolated existence. She witnesses the erosion of her parents' marriage, the weight of Ernt's expectations, and the growing fear that their Alaskan dream may be slipping away.

With vivid prose and emotional depth, Hannah delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the human spirit's capacity for survival and renewal. "The Great Alone" is a captivating tale that explores the consequences of choices, the bonds that hold families together, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Hannah's storytelling prowess shines through as she paints a vivid and immersive picture of Alaska's wilderness, capturing the raw beauty and unforgiving nature of the untamed frontier. Through the eyes of Leni, readers gain a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of living in such a remote and demanding environment.

"The Great Alone" is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complexities of family, resilience, and the pursuit of a life lived on one's own terms. Hannah's skillful storytelling and evocative prose make this a compelling read that will stay with readers long after they finish the final page.