Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Great Alone 

Alaska, 1974. Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.

In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own.

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Title : Great Alone

Author : Kristin Hannah

Genre : Historical fiction

Length : 435 pages

Publisher : St Martin Press

Originally published  : 2017

Admitted, the beauty of Nightingale by Kristin Hannah has resonated to my mind and introduced me to the beauty of historical fiction. That's why, when i stumbled upon Great Alone in the bookstore, I ain't hesitate to buy.

Many people categorized Great Alone as historical fiction, but compare to Nightingale, i think history only take up 10% portion in the book.

At first, let me introduce you to the heroine, a thirteen year old, Leni. Leni is an awkward girl, she has no friend because she switched school too frequent. Her parents, that Leni love very much, are former runaway bride that love each other (sometime) too much. Her father is former of POW (prisoner of War) during Vietnam war.

Yes, yes, like any other vietnam war veteran, her father, Ernt Allbright is volatile Man. He changed from loving father and husband to mean loser toward his wife.

Well, looking at the background, you understand where the plot is going, right? yes, they live in abusive and unhealthy environment. BUT, the different is when they decide to abandon their current live and move to bewildered area, Kaneq, Alaska.

During the 70's, Alaska is land of survival. The winter is long and harsh, there were no electricity, no sun for 17 hours and no proper street. And Kaneq (imaginary area) is just small village where people didn't want to be found. 

The Allbright family move to Kaneq with hope, by runaway from the society, they will find piece in this beautiful and mysterious land.  

Then, just expected, they are not prepared with the harsh life of Alaska. With no money, no preparation, they only let them die in the strange land. But Kaneq is small vilage where the citizen know each other and help involuntary. There are Large Marge, former lawyer-now-groceries store owner or Tom Walker and family-the early inhabitant of Kaneq that practically own the land.

During the summer of Allbright arrival, they only do non-stop preparation of winter. Because winter in Alaska last from end of september to april, they only have several months to stock up foods and survival kit during the winter. And even summer is not safe, because many beasts try looking for foods. 

Going to the local school, Leni finally find a friend, Matthew Walker, son of Tom Walker that happen to have same age with her. Matthew is handsome local boy and share the common interest with Leni. At least, Leni happy in the school.

But by the winter close, mood of his father change eventually. Full of rage and hate of darkness, his father back to his old habit, drinking and abuse Leni's mother, Cora. 

Well, then there are lot of happen that i categorized as plot twist. I assure you this is not just common story of a girl try to survive from abusive father, find her love of the life while she try her best to survive Alaska.

There were so many unexpected things happened, that made Leni  more than strong girl. She's become an adult with lot of traumas, that teach her to be wise, brave and more importantly, understand how the love is work.

At first, Leni never understand why her mother love blindly to the man who beat her constantly. The ultimate choice to runaway from her father, cost her a lot. Abandon her mother will make her mother die, live with her parents, made no future of her.

This book, is just long as Nightingale. May be the thrill of Nightingale is more intense than Great Alone, but i can feel how painful living as Leni. I may not shed any tear, but I deeply in sorrow when the tragedy happen. She's an adult in the form of 13 years old girl.

I think the best part of this book is the characters. Leni, Cora, Large Marge, Matthew, even Tom. Very different human being with strong description. The detail of Alaska's life is marvel (the author once life in Alaska), i can imagine it in clarity!But i said, its just bit to much detail like attire descriptions that should be eliminated to make this book shorter (sorry 400 pages is waaay too long for me- except Harry Potter series). 

Several words said from her mother to Leni, trying to excuse Ernt's behaviour is just sad and wrenching. It is like a mantra that Cora believe to justify his husband's bad behavior.  "he'll be happy this time", "he will change"....

How you can believe someone love you if he cracked your bone? Logically, you will say no. But in this book, you enter the world " because this is what love is". Understanding the circumstances, you will understand why people can get out from "bad love trap"

When i was finishing this book, I was sighing. Like there is heavy clouds surround me, finally lifted. The thing is, there are many Cora live in out there, even near to us.

By the way, It is a very good book. Kristin Hannah may be my next favorite Author!!!!