I think I have an author crush (not in a creepy way, just in the way I devour her books). Kristin Hannah is simply a master storyteller, and it would be a dream come true if my books were as well-received as hers.

I must admit, I had absolutely no idea what The Great Alone was about. The only thing I've ever really heard about it was how great it was, but never anything specific or simple, like what the storyline was about. (And I thought the cover looked boring, so I kinda avoid it - just being honest.)

I'm torn in half with thoughts over this book. The first camp sits with the book itself, and the second is the fact that I have never quite understood why my son, who chose to move to Alaska when he was twenty, still resides there twelve years later. I've been to Alaska - man, that place is harsh. Gorgeous like no other but harsh.

The book is an incredible story about the Allbrights, Ernt, a Vietnam vet/POW who struggles with serious deep-rooted demons, Cora, who is unnaturally loved by Ernt to the point of obsession and to which she reciprocates, and their daughter, Leni, who at the age of 13 is thrown into the wilderness without running water, indoor facilities, electricity, and so on. Somehow, this family forges a way of life and not just survives but thrives, in their ways, in The Great Alone.

There is great tragedy in the Allbright family, but Ms. Hannah spins the tale to where no matter how awful the event, as the reader, you can't, won't, and don't want to put the book down; you actually turn the pages faster.

If you are like me and thrown off by the dull cover, rip it off and open up this incredible piece of work. You will thank me. And now, I must write my son a letter of understanding. I get it now, as with Leni Allbright, my son, Kowboy, belongs in The Great Alone. ( )

This is a very good book. I could not bring myself to finish it at this time because It is a too realistic portrayal of a family living with an abusive father. Was afraid of where it was going and didn't want to go there. ( )

Ernt Allbright left his young wife to fight in Viet Nam. Unfortunately, he spent seven years as a POW and returned a bitter, angry man. Unable to hold a job very long due to his PTSD, when he found himself having inherited some land in Alaska, he packed up his wife and 13 year old daughter, Leni, to make a new start.

He had long admired the survivalist life style, and while he didn’t have the skills to pull it off, his neighbors helped him out and taught him what he needed to know about hunting, building, raising livestock and gardens in the brutal Alaskan conditions, especially the dark and frigid winters.

But while for some, demons are left behind in the wilderness, for others, the demons are empowered. Leni’s friendship with the son of a more prosperous and successful family burned Ernt like fire. His wife had more and more bruises from falls. Eventually Ernt decided that the only way to control his family and keep them safe was to build a literal fortress around their property with himself having the only key.

Although the story is told from Leni’s viewpoint, to me it was the story of her father; his illness twisting and destroying what he loved. Until finally, Leni and her mother had to take their destinies into their own hands.

I found it a fast read. Some of the turns, such as love-interest’s Matthew’s outcome seemed overly optimistic. And while I would love to see neighbors come together to help and shield the most vulnerable newcomers in their midst, I recognize that it takes very special sort of people to do that.

And yet, I was entertained and engrossed by the story which shed light on why people are drawn into this lifestyle and how some become stuck and some move on when the deepest trauma strikes. 3.8 stars ( )

A complex, beautiful, and heartbreaking story of survival, co-dependency, abuse, and love set largely in the Alaskan frontier in the 1970s. Nothing trite, nothing predictable, and entirely believable. I had trouble putting it down to eat and sleep and work — I was invested in all of the characters from the first page to the last. ( )

Pretty good story about a troubled family trying to escape demons in Alaska. Some find peace in the wilderness but others get more angry and lost.

Tough to read about domestic abuse but the community of townsfolk help to mitigate the harsher side of the story.

It got a little overly melodramatic for me towards the end but for the most part I enjoyed the book. ( )