When you need a good historical book, that’s when Kristin Hannah Step in.
Genre : Historical Fiction
Page : 435 pages
Published :6th February 2018
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.
“A girl was like a kite; without her mother’s strong, steady hold on the string, she might just float away, be lost somewhere among the clouds.”
The Great Alone— A loving wife, Cora and thirteen years old Leni, supporting Ernt, a former POW to move forward in life. Trying to make the best they can.
It has been such a long time since I last read historical fiction! And Kristin Hannah has been one of my favorite historical authors!
I’ve been meaning to purchase this book years back. But I don’t know why, I seems to always re-stack the book to the shelves again. And after buying the book, I kept it at arms length.
So, when I miss historical fiction, my mind wanders to this book and I just decided to give it a go, to reduce my TBR stack LOL Although it never seems to cease no matter how much I read ¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯ I know you’ll understand. Long live readers.
The Great Alone is a story of survival. This book told the survival story of former POW- Ernt Allbright, who come home from Vietnam War in which changed him for forever.
Ernt Allbright has a beautiful family which consist of her wife- Cora and his thirteen years old daughter- Leni.
Leni and Cora both love and support Ernt in any way possible. They understand this changed father figure and love him no less than before. So when Ernt suggest them moving to Alaska to start a new leaf, they all agree.
I adore this family. Their chemistry is good and they just fits perfectly into one another. Also, I love the writing. It’s like I was there witnessing the scene unfolds. I feel happy, reading those scenes and occasionally smile because of it.
It was all rainbow and sunshine, until they reach through Alaska. In which, it doesn’t fit much to their expectations.
From this point on, things starts to get better and worse at the same time. And I love all those journey throughout the book. The ups and downs, Allbright’s struggle, but most of all, I love this Alaska community.
I love the Alaska family ambiance this book offers, which made me want to have such similar community myself. I love every characters of it but my most favorite should be Tom Walker and Matthew.
They just ༼ಢ_ಢ༽ *sobs* have my heart. If you’re going to read the book, watch out for them. You’ll gonna love them.
I also love Allbright’s family. However, as it progress, I reach through one point where I come to dislike Allbright’s circumstances, although that’s the point of the book. You know, some stepping stones for the family.
It felt somehow toxic to me and just like Allbright’s love hate situation, I kind of love hate this book too. In a good way. I know this point made a good story for the book.
Not like hate, hate, but more like, um annoyed by it?
But again, I think that’s just what makes this book worthy to read. This book is not only about historical fiction, but this book tells the story of how the characters are also victims in their own circumstances. The after- effect of the war and the damage it caused to people who experience it and to those they love.
At first, I expect this book as a sobbing historical context. But upon reading, I don’t really felt teary at all, except for the few last chapters. It’s damn tearjerker towards the end.
I love how this book wove a good heart- wrenching story of hope, love and hate all the same into a good worth story.
Personally, I’m not feeling like falling head over heels over the book. It’s a love-hate bookish reads for me. But I could assure you, this book is one hell of a good story.
“Love and fear. The most destructive forces on earth. Fear had turned her inside out, love had made her stupid.”
Author: Celine
celinelingg 