“In the silence, Leni wondered if one person could ever really save another, or if it was the kind of thing you had to do for yourself.” ― Kristin Hannah, The Great Alone
Good Reads Synopsis
Alaska, 1974.
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.
For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.
Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown
At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they 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 Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.
But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. 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 the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.
In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.
My Review 5.0/5.0
This was my first taste of a novel by the award winning Kristin Hannah.. and boy, am I glad I picked it up. This novel is so complex, but such an easy read. I read the second half of the book in one-sitting. With her descriptive language of nature, you become drawn into the wilderness of Alaska and the wilderness of Leni's dad. The author does an outstanding job developing incredible depth within the novel and draws you to have an emotional attachment to the main characters (especially Large Marge). The author tackles extremely challenging life issues throughout the novel.. full of heart and heartbreak.
Overall, I was so drawn into this novel that I was sad when it ended. I would highly recommend this book to any reader, and will be placing it on my bookshelf as one of my favorites.
コメント