Do you like books about the dark beauty of love and resilience? Then this is the book for you!
“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah is a book located in Kaneq, Alaska. In the beginning, it introduces a young girl named Leni Allbright. Then introducing her parents Cora and Ernt Allbright.
The book first starts off in Seattle, Washington, with a family in distress. After her father returns from the Vietnam war, they are looking for a new start. Suddenly a fresh beginning falls in their lap when they get the chance to own the Alaskan property of a fallen soldier.
While reading this book I expected a petty adventure of a teenage girl moving to a new state, but it was so much more than that.
The story takes place in 1974, right after her dad returns home after being a prisoner of war. While he seems reasonably normal. However the book states, “He has been weird since the war.” Ernt jumps at the opportunity to pack up their whole life and move to this cold little place. The Allbright family realizes that Alaska is more than a cold little state separated from the rest of the U.S. Kaneq is a tight knit community where everyone knows each other, and love in all its forms are shown within. In the book we can see the love of a child for their parents and a parent for their child. We see how far each would go to protect the other. We see love conquering all after going through many battles.
When the Allbright family arrived in Alaska, they were severely unprepared. However they spent the whole summer preparing with help from new friends formed along the way. Leni never really had friends so she was nervous to start a new school.Summer had ended and there she was walking into her new class with new students and a new teacher. Suddenly, a blonde-haired blue eyed boy caught her attention. From then on all she could think about was him, Matthew. In unfortunate circumstances, Matthews mother passed away and Matthew always thought it was his fault. He ends up moving with his sister to Fairbanks, Alaska. He later returns.
Throughout the years Matthew is gone Leni faces many hardships. For example, finding out her father has been physically abusing her mother for many years. The toxicity in this relationship showed more and more each chapter. When the people of Kaneq realize what is going on in the Allbright home, they decide to take action. Sending Ernt away during the winter because that’s when his mood swings get the “worst.”
We are introduced to Tom Walker in the beginning of the book. He is basically Ernts “nemesis”, also father of matthew. Ernt doesn’t like anything that comes with Tom including his son.
When Matthew returns later on in the book, Leni is thrilled. He decides to finish off his senior year in Kaneq. However, Leni’s father does not want Matthew and Leni to be together. They won’t take no for an answer. Matthew and Leni continue to sneak around and see each other. This doesn’t last too long when Ernt decides to build a barrier separating his family from the rest of Kaneq. This sparks something in Leni and her mother to want to escape.
No matter how hard they try, nothing works, they are trapped. Eventually they made it to town and Leni yelled for help. Many things transpire, and not to spoil but a lot of it is unexpected. Leni and Matthew run away. Something extremely traumatic happens to Matthew. Causing life term injuries and leaving Leni in despair. Soon after Leni finds out she is pregnant with Matthew’s baby.
When Leni decides to impulsively tell her father she is pregnant, he beats her. Leni’s mother, Cora, shoots him in defense of her daughter. After this the book is subtle while they move back to Seattle and rebuild their life.
Kristin Hannah was able to do many plot twists in vivid detail. She is a very talented writer who has been writing since she was young. Her very first hit book was, “The nightingale” She is an extremely talented writer. I would recommend reading her books!
