Review: 'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah, 545 pages - Instagram @c_reads_books

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The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah tells the story of the Allbrights, a family that moves to Alaska following the Vietnam War. Ernt Allbright, returned home after Vietnam, is a man changed for the worse. His turbulent and violent rages only seem to increase and become worse with time, as he becomes more and more irascible. Although Ernt and his wife Cora and daughter Leni impulsively move to Alaska because they think it is where Ernt will finally be able to return to his once peaceful self, the harsh environment in Alaska proves to be a challenge. Ernt’s moods mimic the weather, as when the days get shorter, the cold colder, and the darkness darker, Cora and Leni must find new ways to endure, and survive. Not only do Cora and Leni have to survive the harshness of Alaska’s environment, they must also survive the man living with them in their own house.

This book was one that I had high expectations for, and it did not disappoint. I unquestionably loved this story. As per usual with Kristin Hannah’s books, this one is guaranteed to make you smile, laugh, cry, and scream out in anger at different points. Hannah is always successful in expressing such a wide range of emotions in each of her books, making them all the more raw and realistic, which I never cease to be endlessly impressed by. I additionally loved the juxtaposition and comparison of Ernt’s stormy moods to the unforgiving wildlife and nature that is Alaska. In whole, this book is one that I am already looking forward to rereading, because I hope it will be just as magical the second time.