Cover Image: The Great Alone

The Great Alone

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Member Reviews

Leni's father is a POW of the Vietnam War, Due to his experiences, he suffers extreme PTSD, is unable to hod a job, and drinks to numb his pain. When he receives a letter inviting him to come to Alaska he jumps at the chance. Only 13, but hopeful this will help her father, Leni and her mom go along with the plan. At first, things go well. The small town is welcoming and does everything they can to help the young family prepare for the winter. As the nights get longer, and colder, and Leni's father becomes more volatile, Leni realizes she must take it upon herself to keep her and her mother alive.
A beautiful, fast moving story that keeps you at the edge of your seat. I loved it.

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Although I read this book ages ago, I never submitted a review. Kristen Hannah is one of my favorite authors and this book was fantastic. I have recommended this book to many others. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

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When it comes to emotionally compelling fiction, without a doubt, Kristin Hannah is in a league of her own. Over the years, she’s taken me to the brink of hopelessness, dangled me over the edge of complete devastation and trampled my heart in the process.

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What a heart-wrenching book of family, first love, and survival. Kristin Hannah's writing just tugs at the heart.. Struggling with alcoholism, isolation, and PTSD. Ernt inherits a home in Alaska and moves his family there. The Albright's have no idea how harsh the winter can be or how to survive on their own. The locals try to teach them how to survive, plant, hunt, etc., to be prepared but Ernt's paranoia begins to get the best of him. Great recommendation for historical fiction and war fiction.

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I spend much of Saturday crying my eyes out at the end of this book. In the same strains as The Glass Castle and Educated, Lenny is being raised in chaos, being loved and abused at the same time. This tells the story of her overcoming her surroundings in the face of impossible tragedy. Gutwrenchingly good.

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It was hard to read about Cora's helplessness in her situation of domestic abuse. If that wasn't enough Ernt became more paranoid and unreasonable, and still Cora couldn't find a way to get help. It was difficult to see friends reach out to her, but not be able to do anything since Cora didn't want their assistance...more helpless feelings! Because of my own childhood experience with domestic abuse in our neighborhood it just hit too close to home. (No pun intended.) When the situation was finally resolved (well over half-way through!), I was able to enjoy the story better.

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A hard to read book that deals with living in Alaska far into the wilderness with an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD. Writing very good and descriptive but violent

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Modern day Romeo and Juliet with a dash of domestic abuse. Might be hard for some people to read, but it is a good story of resilience. Kristen Hannah is an excellent writer. Her character and story development really get you involved in the worlds she creates.

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I've read almost all of Kristin Hannah's books and usually love them. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case with The Great Alone. Sadly, I did not finish this title. In fact, I barely made it through a couple of chapters before giving up. I found that the descriptions were so long and drawn out that I quickly lost interest. Hopefully, her next release will be better suited for me.

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I was hoping for something like The Princess Bride that I could recommend to students. This had some of the whimsy, but I believe the majority of the humor would go over their heads. It was dry and at times forced. While some of the characters were entertaining, I do not plan to add this to my collection.

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A story of the power of love, the mental anguish suffered by veterans and their family members, and the ability to overcome obstacles are all embraced in the is incredible novel. The descriptions of the Alaskan area in the early 1970s was eye opening. Fabulous characters and plot.

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This story of 13 year old Leni and her mother and their new life in Alaska is another hit out of the ballpark for Hannah. The same weaving in and out of tragedy, love and the strength we find in the relationships of family and friends, even when we find ourselves alone, is found in this as her past titles. It is an engaging story set at the edge of Alaskan frontier. It pushes every doubt of supporting those we love to the forefront and then bashes them head on with what could be a true story. Highly recommend.

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Another great novel by Kristin Hannah taking on the serious topic of domestic abuse. Setting it in Alaska brings on an extra layer of trying to survive. Loved it.

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While I found this one hard to get into initially, Kristen Hannah's writing carried it all the way through, and i found myself extremely invested in the characters, while the Alaska setting took on a life of its own.

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Due to an unexpected busy period at work, I was unable to finish reading this book during the NetGalley 54-day window. However, I was so intrigued by what I had read that I went out and purchased a hardcover copy so that I could finish it. I was quite glad that I did.

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Kristin Hannah is becoming one of my favorite authors.

The heartbreak and the triumphs of this book. I really want to go visit Alaska now!

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Trying to run away from his demons, Vietnam war veteran Ernt takes his wife Cora and teen daughter Leni to the Alaskan wilderness. Unfortunately, people can’t run from their problems and eventually Ernt’s psychoses threatens to harm them all. In the years they live in Alaska, Leni discovers her inner strength and resilience, qualities that will serve her well as she realizes she must survive all types of challenges. Hannah’s writing captures emotions and experiences so adeptly, the reader can clearly envision all Leni and her family encounter. Fans of Hannah’s work won’t be disappointed with this raw and honest look at domestic violence and its impact in the home and in a community.

I received an advance copy of the book from Net Galley and have provided an objective review.

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What touched me so much was the absolutely true feeling of the girl. Living with a person with addiction or personality disorders leave a child with so much anxiety. As you go home you never know what you will find. You don't bring friends home because you are embarrassed or just scared. You hate to go anywhere with that person because do not know how you will make it home or if you will. The truthful feelings in this book made me remember my childhood, and how that feeling and that anxiety shadowed your whole life then. You carry it with you for the rest of your life.

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A Vietnam Vet moves his wife and daughter to Alaska to join a survivalist group.. He becomes more and more abusive to his wife and daughter. The affect of being in the Vietnam war and how it effects his personality is riveting

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Kristin Hannah does it again; writes an amazing story that is impossible to put down. The Great Alone follows a man who is disturbed from the war and thinks that moving to somewhere quieter and on the land will help. He moves his family to a small town and a very simple log cabin. That works for a while... The story is mainly about the young daughter growing up in the middle of nowhere. It is a heart touching tale of love, family and forgiveness- and when it is tie to say enough.

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