The Great Alone

 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah has been on my book radar for many years. I guess I’ve always been hesitant to read it because the subject matter seemed too depressing, but it landed on my recommendation list last year. So, I think it’s time I gave it a shot. Let’s see how it goes…

Ernt Allbright hasn’t been the same since returning from the Vietnam War where he was held as a POW. He is sad, angry and physically scarred by his captors, and his family is suffering because of it. Despite their difficulties, the Allbright still have a lot of love for each other. When a military buddy leaves Ernt a house and land in Alaska, he sees it as the perfect opportunity to make a much-needed change for his family.

Cora and Leni – Ernt’s wife and 13-year-old daughter – make the move to Alaska because want to see him happy again. Would the move to the Last Frontier work? Will Ernt revert to the man he was living off the grid in Alaska? Ernt sure thought so, but what about Cora and Leni? Would they be happy there too? Their new lifestyle – living in the wilderness without electricity, running water or telephone service – is quite a departure from what they have known. I know I could never live like that. It seems their lives become more about surviving and not actually living.

Although Alaska is a lot of work for the Allbrights, they find a tight-knit community there too. When Leni meets Matthew on her first day of school, she feels she has met a true friend and a kindred spirit. These 2 characters will face unimaginable heartache that no young person should have to endure.

On the other hand, the friends Ernt makes are doomsday survivalists who are against any kind of modernization coming to their area. These radical individuals are obviously not good for Ernt’s mental stability, which spells trouble for Cora and Leni, and the rest of the town as well. 

This novel asks the question how far would you go for someone you loved – geographically or otherwise. What is love anyway? Does love mean tolerating abusive behavior? What would it be like to live with an abuser in Alaska, also called The Great Alone? The complex relationship portrayed here between abuser and the one being victimized is classic textbook, which is startling yet compelling reading.

Additionally, the author describes in great detail the loveliness and brutal harshness of Alaska’s seasons, and overall sense of what life is like for the Allbrights. Much of it is pretty bleak and savage-like. Admittedly, these are not my favorite parts of the book. However, Cora and Leni’s predicament and how they would survive it kept me engaged and wanting to read more. There are some jaw-dropping, gut-wrenching moments that lead to a highly emotional ending making The Great Alone a worthwhile book.

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