The Great Alone in Books and Jams Readalong

Aug 13, 2018 Jan rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-book, library

3 Stars. Some parts of the story I loved, but there were other sections of the book when I found myself rolling my eyes and seriously considered DNF-ing the book several times.

5 likes · Like · see review

May 04, 2018 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I waited seven weeks to receive this one from the library, and whoa buddy, this was SO WORTH THE WAIT! It’s not often I get so engaged with characters in a book, but this one grabbed me from page one, and would not let me go. Starting in 1974, we follow the lives of Ernt, Cora, and Leni Allbright. Ernt is a Vietnam veteran and spent several years in a POW camp – and no surprise, the camp had big time ill effects. Ernt can’t hold a job, so as a last ditch effort to find happiness and stability, t I waited seven weeks to receive this one from the library, and whoa buddy, this was SO WORTH THE WAIT! It’s not often I get so engaged with characters in a book, but this one grabbed me from page one, and would not let me go. Starting in 1974, we follow the lives of Ernt, Cora, and Leni Allbright. Ernt is a Vietnam veteran and spent several years in a POW camp – and no surprise, the camp had big time ill effects. Ernt can’t hold a job, so as a last ditch effort to find happiness and stability, the family move from Seattle up to Alaska {dubbed “the Great Alone” by poet Robert Service, many years ago} to a remote, sparsely populated village on the Kenai peninsula. As a Northwest native, I thought that all the descriptions of Alaska would be “ho-hum…. been there done that”, but oh my goodness – Kristin Hannah the author brought that state alive! She made me think how cool it could be to live up there in the wilderness, without all the pressures of daily life in a city. The sights, sounds, smells, and traditions of our beautiful 49th state really come to life in this book – and I’m just guessing here, but I have a hunch there will be an influx of folks heading north in the near future – looking for one heck of an adventure. Anyway, we quickly discover that Ernt Allbright has a serious anger and jealousy problem and becomes very abusive towards his wife, Cora. Cora blames it on the long winters, the POW camp, and also herself. Leni, their daughter, is witness to the violence and is horrified to see her mom harmed…. and as Leni becomes a teenager, she’s horrified that Cora “loves” Ernt too much to leave him. Now here is where some people say that the story is flawed. They say that any woman who was being hurt by her husband repeatedly would never stick around and believe the promises that “it’ll never happen again”. The sad truth is that MANY women do stay, even in today’s world – believing that it was their fault or that he is ‘so very sorry’. So yes, there were parts of this book that made me mad – REALLY mad. But what a read. Oh my goodness, a wonderfully woven tale of love, anger, adventure, resilience, hope, and perseverance. Of raw nature and raw emotion. I’m happy to say that Ms Hannah weaves this story in a VERY realistic way, without the use of profanity, which is something that I personally admire. We get the drift of Ernt’s anger and foul moods without having to hear all the cursing that a guy like him would probably spout off. This book is a definite 5 star read for me. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s raw, realistic, and remarkable. Read it. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2019 Leslie rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed this. So many themes and issues explored set against the unforgiving Alaskan landscape. My biggest hang up is that this was just a bit too long. I felt the ending was drawn out a bit too much for my liking. However, the relationships, the community, the atmosphere are top notch. Definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone.

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2019 Jenna rated it really liked it

This is closer to a 4.5 rating.

It was slightly slow in the beginning so it took me a bit of time to get into it and there was one issue I had towards the end.

I still thoroughly enjoyed it and am finding that I really like Kristin Hannah.

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2019 Peggy rated it it was amazing

Love it.

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 15, 2019 Sharon Forbes rated it it was amazing

This was an incredible book. So many different things happened to one young girl, Leni that just tore at my heartstrings. I couldn't believe everything she endured, largely at the doing of her father, who brought his wife and daughter to Alaska, in the hopes of having a new life, after being in Vietnam, during the war. Her father, Ernt, had PTSD and had anger issues that he often took out on his wife, and eventually Leni. This book also tells of some good things as well, the rugged beauty of Ala ...more

Like · see review

Mar 01, 2019 Sarah rated it it was amazing

This book completely sucked me in and a large part of that is due to how atmospheric it is. The story was riveting and stressed me out in the best possible way. Alaska is definitely the most important character in this book, at times beautiful, serene, giving, and at other times brooding, vengeful, and cold. I loved the characters, especially Large Marge (we all need a Large Marge in our lives) and the ways in which all of their lives were interwoven. This is my favorite Kristin Hannah to date a ...more

Like · see review

Feb 24, 2020 Jeanette rated it really liked it

About 40% of the way through this book I thought “okay, this is good, but how is it going to last for 60% more!?” Then, everything happens! This sets you up and builds and builds and picks up momentum all the way til the last page.

Like · see review