My rating: 5/5
The perfect amalgamation of a sensational story with an exceptional plot, sublime character development, and an inspiring ending, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an magnificent story that forges the reader through masterful descriptive narratives, emotionally charging scenes, and inspiring moments that will impress upon one’s memory far beyond the conclusion of the story.
With a coming-of-age element, The Great Alone follows Leni Allbright introduced as a young teenager grappling with the complexities of her immediate family. Her strong-willed mother, Cora Allbright is fiercely devoted to her family but has a demoralizing weakness for her husband and Leni’s father, Ernt Allbright. Mentally and emotionally broken by his horrific experience in the miliary during the Vietnam War, his trauma eventually smears itself upon his family, inflicting a manifestation of fear that greatly impacts them.
An unexpected move to Alaska by the leading of Ernt, in hopes of a new beginning, encourages a sense of hope within Leni and Cora concerning his healing. However, Alaska is described as, ‘The Great Alone’, as it is both terrible and beautiful. Slowly the harsh weather and endless darkness of the Alaskan Winter impresses upon the Allbright family, both literally and metaphorically through the trauma of Ernt. Several friendships made in Alaska will be lifesaving to Cora and Leni that will span years, as readers follow the outcome of a family struggling with infirmity and torment.
The Great Alone is a transcending brilliant story comprised of a diverse cast of unforgettable characters. Excellent descriptive scenes present the Alaskan backdrop with intricate details, which immerse the reader deeper into the story. The novel is moderately paced with emotionally provoking scenes. The novel is relatively clean with closed door intimate scenes and minimal inappropriate language, however there are content warnings of physical abuse, trauma, and PTSD. There was no spiritual content in the story. Considering the amount of trauma members of the Allbright family experienced a relationship with the Lord would have been an anchor during challenging moments. Psalms 34:18 attests to the Lord as close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The story served as a reminder that the journey of life can be difficult, especially when navigated on our own. Ultimately, this was a superb novel that weaved themes of resiliency, family dysfunction, survival, and community into a masterpiece. This was the second novel I have read by the author, and by far my favorite. I highly recommend this book to others.
#Fiction #HistoricalFiction
