Very well written book. I felt like I was in Alaska and experiencing everything with the family. Kristin Hannah always writes a great book.

Author Kristin Hannah has certainly done it again. The Great Alone is a magnificent book about the beauty and darkness of Alaska. It is also a story about love…its intensity, its beauty…but also the cruelty of love. The characters are very complex- with their own set of emotional problems– and this draws the reader into the story from the first page. The Alaskan setting, enchanting and frightening, is so visually described that the reader cannot help but feel its unique powers of both endangerment and protectiveness that surrounds its residents. Overall, this ultimately is a story about survival…of loss love, renewed love, constant love, righteous love, and parental love that is boundless.
This is a great story and very highly recommended.

I have read everything by Kristin Hannah since 1996. I have now gone back back and also found some books from before this.

a Family looking for a new start again -- travel to Alaska
Learning a new way of life - learning to be tough - learning what the term REMOTE signifies
as they prepare for Winter you will feel the urgency
as they become a part of the community you will feel you know them

You will feel a part of Alaska,
living on the frontier,
and thrive in the adventure!!

I started this in the late afternoon planning to read for a little and then go to bed early. That didn’t happen. I read past my early bedtime. I read past my bedtime. I read until I finished the book. It was a story that grabbed me and wouldn’t let me stop until I had read the last page. It is the story of women. Women who love, often the wrong men. Women who fear. Women who struggle. But ultimately women who survive. At its heart it is a story of abuse and the love and fear that to often go hand in hand. It is also a tale of Alaska in the 1970s where individuals thrived and yet came together as a community to survive the isolation and brutality of the land. Leni is 13 when her Vietnam POW veteran father receives an inheritance of land and a cabin in Alaska and moves the family there. They are extremely unprepared for the realities of Alaska. The community comes together to help them learn to survive. But the isolation and long days of winter do nothing to soothe his rage. Leni comes to fear what is inside the cabin more than the wildness of Alaska.

This a powerful, emotional story of 13 year old Leni who is used to moving around with her parents as her Dad often loses his job and needs a new start. He is willed land and a cabin in a remote area in Alaska from a former POW who was in Vietnam with him. In the dark wilds of Alaska, Leni and her mother try to stay out of their father's way when his past demons visit him. The book jumps a few years later when Leni falls in love with a local boy and their relationship is affected by her father's abusive and angry ways. Leni has an unconditional love for her mother and Matthew and she makes heart breaking decisions to do what is best for them.

Another great !book from Kristin Hannah! The rugged beauty of Alaska plays a starring role in this story, but it is the spirit and bravery of the main character that will keep you reading late at night. A husband and father suffering from PTSD is the cause of much violence in this family, but young Leni fights to save herself and her mother from her father's delusions and fists.

September 25, 2017 -
While I enjoy the premise of the book, the writing style and the plot occurrences thus far are not enough to keep me engaged. I hope for more from this author as I enjoy how she's weaving Vietnam, Alaska, growing up, and family dynamics together; I simply cannot get into her style. I feel this is personal preference, not necessarily an oversight on Hannah's part.

September 24, 2017 –
26.0% finished: "Still not a huge fan of this book's style. There's a huge overlap of time that's just...gone. Not detailed, just over. Hoping for more in next few chapters or I may have to dismiss it. 😕"

September 23, 2017 –
12.0% finished: "So far I'm not a big fan of her writing style. The narrative is much more "telling" than "showing" in terms of sensory imagery. I have not read her previously acclaimed work, The Nightengale, so perhaps this will all play out as massive foreshadowing or closeted inferences. We shall see!! ☺"

I could not put this book down! Beautiful and heartbreaking, I absolutely loved it.

I was thrilled to receive this new novel by Kristin Hannah. Her last book was deep and difficult to get through in a right way. This book was much like that. I read it in two days as it grabbed my attention immediately and I wanted to know how the story continued. The story is rich in characters, settings, and plot. I could easily picture Alaska and what Brie and Cora were dealing with. This story is a wonderfully tragic and profound dark story that I can't stop thinking of.

I wasn't sure what to expect but once again I was blown away by Ms Hannah's storytelling. I did not expect the most important character in the book to be Alaska, but it totally was. This is a triumph that I will recommend heartily.

First let me say that The Nightingale is one of the best books I have ever read. I have been impatiently awaiting Kristin Hannah's next release and was so excited to see this coming up and even more excited to be selected to read and review an ARC. Thank you! I enjoyed this story very much. The last 25% of the book really picked up for me and I stayed up late to finish. There were parts that hurt my heart and tears were shed. I felt a connection to the characters and really enjoyed Alaska, which I didn't think I would. So that was a nice surprise! I will definitely recommend this to friends and colleagues.

You are such a wonderful author. I don't think I have ever held my breath so much while reading. I kept thinking who is going to kill him and will there be a happy ending. Such a great read. I have never wanted to see Alaska but I might have to change my mind. I am exhausted but happy!

There is so much richness within this book that it is hard to describe. There is the story of Leni, the awkward, frightened girl, living under the threat of her violent father. Cora, the mother who loves her child but is incapable of resisting her sick husband suffering from PTSD after a his stint in Vietnam Nam. Then, there is Alaska, the beauty, the challenges, the culture of the misfits who are drawn to the promise of total independence. There is Ernt, the damaged, dangerous veteran full of rage and promises he is incapable of keeping. Finally, there is Matt, the innocent drawn into the circle which can only bring violence.

A fluke inheritance from an army buddy brings the Allbright family to an isolated part of Alaska, THE GREAT ALONE. Hannah clearly loves the land and its' beauty, but understands the danger and the people who live there.

The family hopes that this isolated land will bring peace to the troubled family, of course it only brings Ernt's vilolence to pollute the pristine land. Within the tumult is the exquisite story of Matt and Leni. The reader knows they are hurtling toward disaster. Hannah does not disappoint and pulls it all together in a satisfying ending.

Although the darkness and the violence represented by Ernt is countered by Alaska and the beautiful, sensitive love story of Leni and Matt, this book is still very disturbing. Domestic abuse and murder are not easy to digest.

This book is so different from Hannah's THE NIGHTINGALE, it is hard to believe that these very different books could have been written by the same author.

As a fan of Hannah and the beauty of Alaska, I truly enjoyed this sweeping love story.

The Great Alone is a good read, and although it is a historical fiction, it is different from "The Nightingale". My favorite parts of the book were the description of Alaska, and thinking of it in the terms of the old homesteaders versus the tourists. Kristin Hannah weaves in references to the 1970's which make it easy to imagine the scenes and the characters. The pop culture references are not overdone, but reading about certain books, what songs are playing on the radio, etc., does make one reminisce!
The theme of domestic abuse runs through this novel, with Vietnam vet Ernt bullying and beating his wife, Cora. Daughter Leni loves her mother unconditionally, and feels it is her duty to protect her and stay with her. The two of them "walk on eggshells" trying not to upset Ernt, and fear the repercussions of not living up to his unattainable expectations. When the family moves to Alaska for a fresh start, they are overwhelmed with the beauty of the country, but so unprepared for the hardships of living off the land. Wife Cora even packs her purple hot pants for the trip, and comments on people who use animal carcasses as "decor". Despite the odds against them, the little family settles in, with the help of a few neighbors who truly pitch in to help. I loved the characters in the town, especially Large Marge. My favorite part of the story was watching Leni grow up, become fiercely attached to her new home, falling in love for the first time, and realizing the toxic relationship of her parents. I really think the focus on Leni's story would make this a great book for teens to read. My least favorite part of the book was reading about Ernt's abuse, and Cora's inability to save herself and her daughter until it was almost too late. Her decisions had grave repercussions for the both of them. I gave it four stars because to me the ending was a bit hard to believe. All in all, a very good read, and an excellent depiction of Alaska. It really made me put Alaska on my travel bucket list!

PERFECT!!! I just loved this book. That is all....

The Great Alone by the incomparable Kristen Hannah had me connected with heroine Leni on page one. The journey from Washington to Alaska caught my imagination and the road was bumpy with experiences, challenges and opportunities that made be smile, cringe and cry. Intrigued? I was. I actually find myself wanting to take a trip to Alaska to see the mountains, the rivers, and the unique residents.

Kristen Hannah caught my heart in the same manner she did with The Nightingale. The Allbright family faced one challenge after another that began upon the father's return from Vietnam after his release as a P.O.W. He was not the man who left to serve and unfortunately help wasn't really an option. His challenge resulted in one challenge after another for his daughter Leni and wife Cora.

Is this title worth a read? Definitely! Make some tea, find a comfy chair, and take the journey with Leni. Laugh with Large Marge. Pray for Matthew. And celebrate the beauty and history of Alaska.

I spent three wonderful weeks savoring every page with Leni, Cora, Matthew and the other amazing characters that came to life from Kristin Hannah's writing. I'm a quick reader but I wanted to pace myself with this one as I did not want it to end. I can't imagine the pressure to write a novel after the incredible success of The Nightingale. While I have not yet read The Nightingale (blasphemy, I know), this book is now the front runner for me in my KH Favorites. This is hands down my favorite read of 2017 and I know you will all be wowed when it releases in February.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for a copy of The Great Alone in exchange for an honest review

The Nightingale, without a doubt, was one of my favorite books of 2015. With that said, The Great Alone does not disappoint! In this novel especially, Hannah excels in describing all there is to offer in each part of Alaska that Cora, Leni, and her father visit or live in. Alaska has never been a top travel destination for me, but I've now been converted because of the breathtaking scenery that Hannah depicts in this novel. Cora and Leni's mother-daughter relationship will remind millennial readers of the beloved Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, except with a survivalist, My Side of the Mountain mindset. The cast of characters in The Great Alone have great stories to share about their lives before Alaska and since they've been there, and Leni knows that one day she'll have these stories to tell as well. Like Jodi Picoult's books, Hannah deals with pertinent issues of the day (time spans from 1974-2009), with the most prominent being the undiagnosed PTSD affecting soldiers who returned from Vietnam and the way domestic violence was addressed in communities and courtrooms. It's a heartfelt story that will make you laugh, cry, cry some more, and then book a trip to Alaska for next summer.

I came late to Kristin Hannah's books, reading my first one a few years ago when a friend recommended Nightingale. That was my favorite book of the year and I, in turn, recommended it to dozens of other people.
I didn't know what to expect from the author and was a little worried another book wouldn't be able to compete with Nightingale. What I discovered is that Hannah is a very versatile writer. Her books don't compete with one another, they are uniquely their own.

The Great Alone is set mainly in the 1970s, not long after the Vietnam war in the wilderness of Alaska. Hannah is excellent at historical research and envelops the reader in the time and place of her choosing. Her character development is also first rate- her characters are never just one thing, they are always multi-faceted, flawed and beautiful at the same time.
The Allbright family is a close-knit little family, Cora, Ernt & Leni, their daughter. For many years Cora and Leni survived on their own, drifting from one group to the next, while waiting for Ernt to come home from Vietnam. What should have been a joyous reunion was marred by the horrors Ernt suffered as a POW in the war. Although they try to stitch a life together, he is restless, can't hold down a job, and suffers from nightmares and outbursts of rage. An unexpected gift lands in their lap and the family heads off to Alaska to claim a parcel of land and a cabin, hoping they will finally be far enough from civilization for Ernt to settle and the family to build a life together. The Kenai Peninsula turns out to be more remote than Cora & Leni ever imagined and the family discovers when they arrive that they are woefully unprepared to survive the winter.
The small, close-knit community of the tiny town, immediately pitch in to teach the family how to prepare for the winter, how to stock up for the long, dark, season with no easy access to food, how to build a greenhouse, smokehouse, animal pens & food cache high in the trees to protect it from predators. It is hard work but each member of the family grows stronger individually and pushes themselves to be more when faced with the challenges of Alaska. Unfortunately, as the darkness of winter presses closer, the little family realizes this remote land isn't the cure for Ernt's PTSD (which they didn't know how to diagnose and treat back then) that they had hoped for and they have to survive not only the elements of the land outside but the constant fear inside their home as well.

Cora & Ernt's relationship parallels life in Alaska, at times. Times of love, beauty, and peace that turn deadly at a moment's notice with a sudden storm. Despite their relationship affecting so much of the events in the book, the story is really Leni's story: her growth in confidence and skill as she is tested by survival in Alaska; the friendships and community she gets to be a part of (but always a little removed from b/c of the secret she keeps about her family); the hardships she overcomes; her discoveries about her family and love, and her place in the world. Ultimately, her loyalties are tested and she has to make choices she never would have dreamed of. My heart broke for Leni and Matthew (did I mention Matthew? Leni's best friend and eventual love interest?) and for Cora and Leni and even for Cora and Ernt as all of these relationships evolve and are tested by Alaska and by each other. A complex and fulfilling read.

The Great Alone is set in the 1970's but the topics are on point relevant for today. The characters are so fully developed they leap off the page. The setting in Alaska is vivid and alive, I felt like I was there. Kristin Hannah's writing is developed in a way that each word belong on the page. Coming off the success of the Nightingale, this book will stand up on its own as her next great story.