The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

A little over a year ago, I read Kristin Hannah’s, The Nightingale. It was an extremely quick read, and I genuinely couldn’t put down the book.  It remains one of my most favorite books of all time.  Recently, Kristin published another novel called The Great Alone.  I read this in Greece, finishing this 400 page book in about four days.  Clearly another quick read!

Leni, a third grader, has grown up for most of her life in the Northwest Pacific.  Her father, Ernt Allbright, a scarred veteran from the Vietnam War is abusive towards Leni’s mother, Cora, yet it is not who he was Before.  He has habitual drinking issues and cannot seem to find common ground with his wife and Leni. Leni tries to convince her mother to leave her husband, yet Cora’s love for her husband is fierce and she refuses to be without him.  Her thoughts and memories are grounded in the time before Ernt went to war and she fails to admit the person her husband has become upon return. 

One day, Ernt receives a letter from the family of a man whom he fought with in the War, which leaves him a house and acres of land in Alaska.  Cora and Leni hesitate about moving to Alaska, but Cora’s attachment and love for Ernt drives her to follow him.  

The Allbrights learn about what it truly means to survive in the wilderness as they prepare for their first winter in the harsh environment of Alaska.  They rebuild the house, tidy up the land, and prepare land for growing crops.  With the help and support from friendly neighbors, Leni and Cora find their ground in Alaska.  Specifically, they are helped by Tom Walker, whose grandfather founded the town, and Large-Marge, a former lawyer from the East Coast.  During the first few weeks in Alaska, Ernt’s temper has been quite placid and for the first time in a while, Cora believes he may be healing in the wilderness of Alaska. 

Meanwhile, Leni attends the local school, where she meets Matthew Walker. The two are inseparable.  Matthew shows Leni around town and some of his favorite places in nature.  There are fewer than ten students in the class so Matthew and Leni spend most of the time together.  Matthew and Leni spend elementary and middle school together, but Matthew leaves the area for high school and Leni is once again left alone with Cora and Ernt. 

When winter finally arrives, Ernt is hit the hardest by the bleak, short days.  His temper becomes capricious again and for the first time, Leni witnesses her father abuse her mother.  However, Cora’s bruises and scars are not invisible to the members of the small town.  Tom Walker and Large-Marge send Ernt off to a work camp and is banished from returning until Spring.  

Through the winters, this proves to be an effective method for avoiding Ernt’s worst mental stages of the year.  Cora and Leni live more freely and feel most at peace when Ernt isn’t home.  When Ernt comes home, it takes all his willpower to avoid abusing Cora and for a little while this works.  

However, peace is broken when Tom Walker proposes to build a hotel in the town for tourists.  Ernt disagrees with Walker and says he came to Alaska to get away from people.  Soon, the two become so argumentative that the town becomes divided between the two ideas.  Downing drinks and getting drunk every night, Cora has no choice but to side by her husband on the issue. 

One day, Matthew Walker returns home from high school in his senior year and implores Leni to go to college with him.  That spring, the two fall deeply in love again and Leni secretly, against her father’s knowledge, applies to the college.  But the young couple’s love cannot remain a secret forever, because Ernt spots Matthew with Leni.  How far will these two go for love with an abusive, overly-protective father on the tail of his political enemy’s son?

Hannah writes a riveting novel about love, connection, morality, and she challenges what it means to love someone.  The ending of this novel absolutely terrified me.  As a reader, it edged on the unrealistic side just a tad, yet Hannah writes so vividly that I found myself constantly telling myself, “no this isn’t real, this can’t be happening!”  Hannah writes with smooth, easy to follow language and never lets the flame of the plot die.  I wouldn’t say this book is an “action” book but it is written in the style of an action plot.  Through the summary, it’s pretty evident that this novel has a fresh take on literature yet it was a breathtaker and a page turner.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little new to read.