The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
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Web ID: 14352548Ratings & Reviews
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Beautiful and Demanding Alaska
Leni Albright and her parents have tried everything! Ernt Albright, Leni’s father, suffers from psychological problems due to his past as an MIA in the Vietnam War. It seems they have tried everything to help him cope. When Ernt’s deceased Vietnam War buddy leaves him a cabin in a secluded section of Alaska, he decides that the isolation, peace and quiet will be the answer. Besides, they will have their own homestead to work. So the Albright family moves to Alaska. Ernt did much better as he worked the homestead, preparing for winter. But neither Leni nor her parents were prepared for the long dark days of Alaskan winters. Soon, Leni’s life is one of horror. This is a wonderful tale of growing up in beautiful but demanding Alaska. It is a story of family and community and of first loves. The characters are amazingly realistic and the setting descriptions are vibrant and breath-taking. This book cannot be missed!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Heartbreakingly Sad And Hopeless
Overall, probably the most depressing book I have ever read. Every little hope for better never came to be, and just when you thought things couldn't get worse, they always did. Grandparents used and cast aside by such a "caring" main character. I would NOT recommend this book because it is a never ending downer. RUN . . .
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Six Star Read - Better than the hype
Kristin Hannah's The Great Alone stands as one of the most outstanding novels I have ever encountered in my reading experience. From the very first page, I was completely swept away by its raw beauty, emotional intensity, and unforgettable characters. This kind of novel stays with you beyond the last page because it creates a permanent impression on your heart. I usually read thrillers and find most other fiction difficult to pace - I know I’m late to the Kristin Hannah train and I was reluctant because sometimes authors and books are just severely overhyped. In this case, I don’t think the internet can be emphatic enough about how excellent Hannah’s writing is and how prolific her prose. The novel establishes its setting in Alaska's 1970s wilderness to portray the Allbright family especially Leni who navigates her parents' marriage problems alongside frontier life challenges. The author presents Alaska through stunning descriptions that showcase both its harsh and beautiful elements. The setting functions as a powerful force within the story by delivering risk alongside enchantment and complete solitude to the narrative. The emotional depth of The Great Alone makes it stand out from other novels. The characters exist so authentically in the story that I experienced every piece of their emotional pain and hope alongside their strength. Through her transformation from a shy, unknown girl to a strong young woman Leni demonstrates a powerful and heartbreaking growth. The author presents the reality of domestic abuse without compromise but maintains a constant narrative optimism. The author Kristin Hannah demonstrates an extraordinary talent for portraying the intricate connections between mothers and daughters in her storytelling. Her skillful exploration of love and trauma together with survival and healing appears as a masterpiece through her compassionate and clear writing. I read this on a plane and laughed and cried and enjoyed all of the moments. I can’t recall a time when a book made me feel this deeply.. The book should be recommended to all readers who appreciate emotional depth and stories about human strength during difficult times. Simply put, it’s a masterpiece.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Splay my heart and gather the pieces back again.
Kristin Hannah wrote tragedy and misery and abuse and threaded them all in hope and romance. I love tragic stories even if they break me. I cried non-stop for the second 50% of this book. Non.Stop. The first part was slow going, less action and more focus on Alaska. But when you realise that Kristin Hannah shared from first-hand experience about Alaskan life, community, and life there, you perceive things differently and appreciate the knowledge and personal aspects this book offers. On another note, this society is a patriarchal S-hole with a very rigged system. I am seriously crying writing this review now because of everything Leni and her mom went through and had to survive. Women carry more burden then they ever should. Magnificent story, amazing writing.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I think about this book daily
I envy people who haven’t read this book yet. It’s that good. What I would do to go back and read it again for the first time.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Book
My emotions were all over the place.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Terrible writing
The constant foreboding on everypage was such an annoyance. The story is so predictable. Don’t bother.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
SPEECHLESS
This book is a straight 20/20 it’s a book that you can’t put down but you don’t want to end all that the same time!! It’s captivating, alluring, toxic, beautiful, romantic, emotional, powerful, REAL. This book will put you through waves of emotions. Hands down my number 1 best book i ever read in my life !!!! My favorite author is Kirsten Hannah. This. Book. Is. Perfection!
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com