The Great Alone

Description

In 1974, Ernt Allbright, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, returns home to his family in Alaska, hoping to escape the horrors of his past and build a new life. After losing yet another job, he makes a drastic decision to move his wife, Cora, and their 13-year-old daughter, Leni, to the remote Alaskan wilderness, where they must survive off the grid. Leni, caught in the tension of her parents’ passionate yet volatile relationship, dares to dream that this new life will bring her family the peace they’ve been missing.

At first, Alaska seems to offer hope. They find a supportive community of resilient, independent people who welcome them, and the long, sunlit days provide a temporary escape from their struggles. However, as winter looms and the darkness of the season takes over, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. The family’s dream quickly unravels, and they are forced to confront the more dangerous threats within their home than from the wild outside.

In this unforgiving environment, Leni and Cora must find the strength to survive the emotional and physical battles that arise. The beauty and brutality of Alaska become a metaphor for their fight for survival and their desire to heal from the scars of the past. The Great Alone is a powerful, moving story of love, loss, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit, exploring the complex dynamics of family, trauma, and the wild unknown. Through breathtaking descriptions and vivid characters, Kristin Hannah crafts a narrative that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.