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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 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.… (more)
User reviews
2.5**
Ernt Allbright is a damaged man; a former Vietnam POW he is prone to fits of anger and depression. When one of his fellow POWs dies, he wills his land in Alaska to Ernt. So Allbright takes his wife, Cora, and 13-year-old daughter, Leni, to a remote village
I was engaged and interested in the story from the beginning, but … I quickly grew tired of Cora’s constant excuses for her sorry husband. She seemed to never take seriously the signs that he was a danger to her … and to their child! I found myself yelling at the CD player over and over as she and Leni made one poor decision after another. I could perhaps forgive Leni, who was a teenager after all, but I never could forgive Cora. Yes, I know that women who are abused frequently feel powerless and unable to extricate themselves from the abusive relationship. Yes, I know that even when there are children involved, many such women stick with their abusers (and that time after time, abused children want to be reunited with the parent who has been abusing them). I know this reality, but I don’t have to like it. And in this novel, it irritated me no end.
Additionally, I thought that what happens to Matthew was manipulative on the author’s part, trying to force tears and heartache on the part of the reader (not successfully in my case). And I thought the ending was far too pat and neatly tied up in a pretty rainbow.
On the plus side, I really did enjoy the depictions of the majestic natural beauty of Alaska. This is set in the mid- to late-1970s, before all the cruise ships brought thousands of tourists every summer. I liked the self-sufficiency of many of the characters, and particularly liked the strong women of the community – Large Marge, Geneva Walker, Natalie Watkins and Thelma Schill.
Julia Whelan does a fine job performing the audio version. She has a gift for voices and makes these characters come to life. I particularly like the way she voiced Cora, Large Marge, Ernt and Tom Walker. Too bad she didn’t have better material to work with.
It grabbed me right from the beginning, and then it slowed down a little but it never became too slow. Almost halfway through it picked up again and I could not put the book down until I finished it. It was really really good. Definitely recommend
#TheGreatAlone #KristinHannah
This is the first novel I've read by Kristen Hannah and, while it was fine, it will probably be the last. While the setting was wonderful, the secondary characters were reliably one-note and didn't change over the course of the novel. And there was so much drama. Just tons of it. And then there would be more. But I can see why this was a bestseller, I certainly kept turning the pages, long after I'd begun rolling my eyes with every new plot development.
This story did not disappont and made firm my resolve to visit Alaska in the furure. The family in this story left for Alaska with just VW van and very few supplies. Ernst a POW from the VietNam War, he wanted to get out of Seattle. They had moved often before because of him losing his temper and jobs. He refused treatment. He had started to abuse his wife, Cora. Cora and their daughter Len were afraid of Ernest. They did find enduring friends, Ernst found a drinking partner.
Except for ssome overly melodramtic scenes which had tears pouring down my face, I decided not to deduct a star because the wonderful depiction of Alaska's beauty and terror, the powerful story of domestic abuse and the rewards of surving. I highly recommend this audio book which was done beautifully.
Kristin Hannah seems to be a wildly popular author these days, and I can see why. This was the first book of hers that I've read and it's a page turner. It is plot driven, with characters you root for, and is somehow both comfortingly predictable and suspenseful at the same time. That being said, I think one of her novels was probably enough for me. Hannah's writing was too "movie-ish" for me. Lots of sweeping scenes and characters that you could visualize easily, but never quite seemed real or complex enough for me. It was a nice diversion and I would keep her other books in mind if a topic really intrigues me, but most likely I'm done.
This was a powerful melodrama, painting a sweeping picture of the Alaskan landscape and way of life, as well as believable, flawed characters. I enjoyed it, though found myself not entirely satisfied with the ending.
I was totally immersed in Hannah's novel right from the start. A superb story of a young girl's childhood with two broken, dysfunctional parents played out in the depths of Alaska in the early 1970's.
Leni Allbright is thirteen when her ex Vietnam Vet POW father decides to take them to
My heart bleeds for the whole family caught in the vortex of the damage that war plays on the survivors--if the emotional and mental anguish can even be called that. As Leni so eloquently and sadly states, 'One thing every child of a POW knew was how easily people could be broken. Leni still wore the shiny silver POW bracelet in memory of a captain who hadn’t come home to his family.'
Leni and her mother Cora are swept up into Ernt's latest grand plan. They will go to Alaska to take up the offer of a property in what surely must be the 'last frontier'--the wilderness of the far north where survival is not guaranteed and where life is a continual effort to stock up for the long winters broken by the vast amazing summers. The palate Hannah employs to paint the landscape is mesmerizing. The human state she portrays is relentless and stark, compassionate and revealing all at once. Ernt, Cora and Leni will come face to face with their own strengths and failings and the leaching away of Ernt's self control.
Leni is forged into a person who is 'Alaska -tough'.
The portrayal of the locals, a mixed bag of people, from the off-grid survivalists, to those who have been challenged by and met the demanding way of life, to those who have just plain fallen in love with this untamed wilderness, all ring true.
A mesmerizing novel of survival, loss and harsh truths. The story surrounds you and absorbs you. It displays a raw and powerful story force that has the pull of legend. A tale that eats into your heart and gives pause for reflection on a multiple of levels. To my mind the title, The Great Alone, plays on both the mental states of the central players and the challenge of the vastness and wildness of Alaska.
A NetGalley ARC
For that fact and the fact that I spent a whole day with these characters. It was rainy and I was lazy. In between bouts of Words with Friends, I lived this Alaskan world. Why anyone would want to do all that work and freeze their a$$ off most of the year? SMH
I was so mesmerized with this book and will remember a dreary winter day, spent in bed under the blankets totally living this Alaskan adventure.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Kristin Hannah and Net Galley for providing me a perfect winter day and a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Alaska has always been on my bucket list. The vastness is appealing to me. So, I jumped on this book
Not only did Kristin Hannah have a great setting she also created some of the best characters. Ernt with his insanity, Cora with her strength and Leni, their daughter, with her determination form a family like no other. And then there is Large Marge…yes that is her name…Matthew and his family, just to name a few. I enjoyed this community of outcasts. They have a tough exterior but their hearts know no limits.
Parts of this novel I savored and parts I rushed through because it was terrifying. It was tough to get through some spots. I had to stop and breathe in places, especially where Leni was concerned. This is an incredible book! This story encompasses so much. And I cannot tell you what I liked more…the story, the land, the people…all of it creates a tale of survival, love and hope.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review
Really could not put this one down - such a great story of a very poor family trying to make it in far-away Alaska, after so many failures.
You will LOVE this book, no
In the early 70s, Cora and Ernt decide to move to Alaska. Ernt is a Vietnam veteran who has spent time in a POW camp and is suffering from what we would refer to today as PTSD. Along with their 13 year old daughter Leni, they drive to Alaska to their new lives. They are totally unprepared for what is ahead of them and people in their small town help them get started. Life is tough and the family lives right on the edge of survival. Along with physical survival, Ernt is a violent man and Cora and Leni are always trying to keep him happy. Leni is a wonderful character and this is a real coming of age story for her as she grows from a 13 year old to an adult.
This is a wonderful story of survival - physical as well as mental, love and family. I highly recommend it!
Thanks to the girlfriend giveaway on facebook for a copy of this fantastic new book. All opinions in this review are my own
GREAT ALONE” By KRISTIN HANNAH
St. Martin’s Press, February 2018
Kristin Hannah, Author of “The Great Alone” has written an amazing literary masterpiece of epic proportions. I loved absolutely everything about this novel.
I appreciate the way that
The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Historical Fiction, and there are moments of Suspense and Adventure. The timeline of this story is in the turbulent 70’s around the Vietnam War. The location of the story is in Alaska, a land of contradictions, light and darkness, beauty and danger. The author writes several times in the novel, “Alaska is a place people are running to, or running away from”. To live in the wilderness of Alaska, one has to learn to survive.
The author describes the characters as complex and complicated, strong and weak.
My favorite character is Leni Albright, a thirteen year old, coming of age, who has moved from place to place, always feeling alone. Leni’s father, Ernt, a former POW in Vietnam comes back an emotionally damaged man. Ernt takes Leni and his wife Cora, to live in Alaska , where they can live off the land. The local people try to help make their transition easier, and stress the dangers of winter, and wild animals.
Despite the fact, that Leni has come from a dysfunctional family, she wants to find a place where she is not alone. Leni wants to go to school, and at time seems too mature for a young girl. As the winter sets in Alaska, and there is darkness, Ernt steps into his own darkness and becomes abusive and paranoid. Leni fells that she has to look out and protect her mother.
Kristin Hannah writes about the importance of survival, the importance of family, friends,working hard, love and hope.
I appreciate that the author writes about important issues that exist today as well, emotional and physical abuse, PTSD, soldiers suffering from stress after coming home, and seeking professional help. Mental health for those victims of abuse is important as well. Self-worth, loyalty, compassion, and survival are issues in this novel as well.
I would highly recommend “The Great Alone” for all readers. I can see the transition of this amazing novel to the movie screen. I received an Advance Reading Copy for my honest review.
High school age, Leni Allbright, has been forced to move from school to
The family's adjustment to Alaska, Ernt's intensified off-balance aggressive behavior, Cora's abuse at the hands of Ernt, Leni's coming of age in the wilds of Alaska and her dangerous romantic alliance with Matthew are the underlying plots that lead the reader through the story. I found myself simultaneously cheering for, and frustrated with Leni and Cora, and continuously angry with Ernt.
One flaw in the story which bothered me is the statement that Ernt would not leave visible marks on Cora but several times he beat her leaving black eyes and bruises on her face. Huh? How did that get missed by the editors? Still it's a great read based in a time that has been neglected.
(This book was an arc received in exchange for an honest review.) #stmartinspress
Like so many men returning from the Vietnam War, Ernt Albright returns to his wife Cora and
Kristin Hannah's writing clearly exposed the reader to both the beauty and viciousness of Alaska. I fell in love with the cast of colorful characters that populated this small community; each citizen supporting and coming to the aid to those in trouble. Finally, I loved watching how the wilderness molded a 13 year old Leni into the young woman she becomes at the end of the novel. However, be warned to have a box of tissues around you when you read this new favorite read of mine.
The
The writing was wonderful and the characters were all well defined.
When the family arrives in Alaska they are immediately warned by the locals how hard it can be. Most people that move to Alaska don’t make it through the first winter. Fear is common sense. “If you’re tough enough, it’s heaven on earth. You have to know how to survive.”
Cora is warned by the other Alaskan women, “A woman has to be tough as steel up here. You can’t count on anyone to save you and your children. You have to willing to save yourselves. And you have to learn fast. In Alaska you can make one mistake. One. The second one will kill you.”
“They lived on a piece of land that couldn’t be accessed by water at low tide, a peninsula with only a handful of people and hundreds of wild animals, in a climate harsh enough to kill you. There was no police station, no telephone service, no one to hear you scream.” Winter was a big deal. Survival, could hinge on the smallest thing.” You have to be self-sufficient. You either belong here or you don’t.
Leni soon discovers that despite all the bad things, she belongs more in Alaska than she ever has anywhere else. She felt a great opening in her soul. She felt fully herself. She finally belonged.
Pretty soon, the cruel Alaskan winter arrives and Leni’s father gradually gets angrier and more abusive. Every day is darker and colder. “As winter pared their life away, the Allbrights were left with only each other. Every evening was spent together, hours and hours of night, huddled around the woodstove. They were all on edge. Arguments erupted over nothing. Worse than the weather was the confinement it caused.”
Leni’s father “looked ruined, tired, but present; in his eyes, she saw more love and sadness than should be able to exist in one human being. Something was tearing him up inside. It was the other man, the bad man, who lived inside of him and tried to break out in the darkness.”
For a while, Leni, like her mother, believed that her dad really was just sick and sorry. They thought that if they loved him enough, he would get better and it would be like before the war. It wasn’t long before Leni stopped believing that.
“The darkness and the cold and the isolation got inside my father in a terrible way, turned him into one of the many wild animals.” The war broke Ernt and no one could help him. “With no local police and no one to call for help. All this time, Dad had taught Leni how dangerous the outside world was. The truth was that the biggest danger of all was in her own home.”
Leni and her mother stick together to get through her father’s episodes. They are very close, strong for each other when they have to be, each other’s reason for living. Leni, “Whatever happened, she wasn’t ever really alone. She had her mama. Her childhood would always smell like sea air and cigarette smoke and her mother’s rose-scented perfume.”
As for Cora, she loved Ernt way too much to leave him. She felt like she couldn’t breathe without him. She longed for the man he was before the war. The book says a lot about the durability and lunacy of love and how it stays against all odds.
“In the vast expanse of this unpredictable wilderness, you will either become your best self and flourish, or you will run away, screaming, from the dark and the cold and the hardship. There is no middle ground, no safe place; not here, in the Great Alone.”
“Wild. That’s how I describe it all. My love. My life. Alaska. Truthfully, it’s all the same to me. Alaska doesn’t attract many; most are too tame to handle life up here. But when she gets her hooks in you, she digs deep and holds on, and you become hers. Wild. A lover of cruel beauty and splendid isolation. And God help you, you can’t live anywhere else.”
I loved this book. Do not expect another “Nightingale.” This book is very different, but just as powerful and lovely.
I really loved the descriptions of Alaska and the challenges of living there - more in the 70s than now I imagine. Yet Alaska is still a challenge for those who make a home there. Twice I have had the pleasure of staying out near the base of Denali, of being able to watch the moon over the peak and the sun rise over the mountain. It is rugged country and still a wilderness.
I had the pleasure of spending 4 days at a lodge on the Kenai just getting a taste for the area.
Many things happen in the story and Hannah does an excellent job of drawing the reader in. There are surprises, unexpected turns and twists, but the essential hummanity of the people is what shines through. I almost have to wonder can people really be that good?
You have to read and decide for yourself.