The Great Alone
Book - 2018
0312577230
9781250165619


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March Highlight: Women Authors. Part 1
March is Women's History Month in recognition of the achievements and contributions of women to society. Women have made and are continually making significant contributions to society in various professions and institutions. Women's History Month was started as Women's History Week by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women in California in 1978.… (more)
St. Tammany Parish Library’s Favorite Books of 2018
This time of year we are inundated with articles looking back at the year in review. But here at the library, we are more interested in the year in books. These are the titles that were checked out the most in 2018. Did any of your favorites make the list? 1. The Rooster Bar 2. The Great Alone 3. The Fallen 4. The Midnight Line 5. Camino Island 6. Fifty Fifty 7. Origin 8. The 17th Suspe... (more)
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Meeting on Monday, July 8, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
From the critics

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“All at once, it seemed, the leaves of cottonwood trees around the cabin turned golden and whispered to themselves, then curled into black flutes and floated to the ground in crispy, lacy heaps.”

“And the books! She’d never seen so many. They whispered to her of unexplored worlds and unmet friends and she realized that she wasn’t alone in this new world. Her friends were here, spine out, waiting for her as they always had.”

“You don’t stop loving a person when they’re hurt. You get stronger so they can lean on you.”

“He taught her something new about friendship: it picked right back up where you’d left off, as if you hadn’t been apart at all.”

“like all fairy tales, theirs was filled with thickets and dark places and broken dreams, and runaway girls.”

“Alaska isn't about who you were when you headed this way. It's about who you become.”

“... home was not just a cabin in a deep woods that overlooked a placid cove. Home was a state of mind, the peace that came from being who you were and living an honest life.”

“Love and fear. The most destructive forces on earth. Fear had turned her inside out, love had made her stupid.”
Summary
Add a SummaryThis book is every bit as good as Nightingale. I got so involved with the characters that, at times, I had to put the book down because it made me so anxious and nervous about what was going to happen to them. I can't wait to read another of Kristin's books. 5 star rating from me!
This story of life in Alaska evolves around a family (the Allbrights') Ernst, his wife, and Leni, their Daughter who move up to Alaska after Ernst is left the property by a friend he knew during the Vietnam War. Ernst suffered from PTSD and creates havoc and fear whereever he goes. I was unable to put the book down; an excellent read and well recommended.
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Add a CommentThis was a very good life adventure story and although the abusive and social issues were near the forefront of the story, they did not overpower the whole. I appreciate that. Thanks for a good read.
I loved this book so much! I'm having a hard time deciding whether I liked this one or Hannah's other book, The Nightingale, more. It is that good! The story never lagged and there were times that I was anxious reading it because I knew something pivotal was on the horizon. Reading it during the winter when snow is on the ground is an extra treat to being transported to the harshness and beauty that is Alaska.
I highly recommend this book. If you are looking for a book that tells you about the place: Alaska, maybe this book is not for you. But if you want to read about a life journey of someone's, this is very interesting and a good story line. (I think.) A lot of subjects are not easy to handle but I believe all those subjects are happens everywhere around the world.
I am looking forward to reading more of Hannah's books.
If you would like to read about an alcoholic, abusive man, his co-dependent wife and the daughter that has to live with them then this is for you. It is not about Alaska. It is written in a mediocre style for a young adult. Very disappointing!
I really enjoyed this book but there is some definitely dark content and there were times the scenes were a bit hard to read. Loved where it ended though.
Writes beautifully about Alaska. Its cold, desolation yet warm community, and how the people survive. The book however, was too predictable. For all the beauty in the book, the domestic violence was too dark a contrast. Did not enjoy the novel as much as her last one, The Nightingale.
recommended by kay
I highly recommend this book! The story is told from Leni's point of view and follows her journey with her parents to Alaska. Many difficult subjects are discussed: PTSD, domestic abuse, divorce, and the death of a parent. The characters are very well developed and the story line is believable. I could feel the emotions of the characters and at times had to put the book down for a break. I am looking forward to reading more of Hannah's books.
A good read and quite a thick book so it lasts a long time. The description of Alaska is beautiful. I had a hard time with the last 200 pages. It felt like the main character kept having bad things happen just to keep the story going. There were a couple instances in those last 200 pages where I felt the characters made a choice that was out of character or just felt under developed. You want the character to have a hopeful ending but it felt like I was never going to get it because so many bad things happen in the last half of the book.
An amazing story. At times difficult to read the traumatic situations, but overall an amazing read. The growth and development of the characters; their drive. The world of their lives, came alive in my mind. It truly took me away to the world of Alaska int her dark. A great read. Thank you Kristin Hannah.