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The Great Alone: A Novel

#1 New York Times Instant Bestseller

In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, a desperate family seeks a new beginning in the near-isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature.


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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576 pages

Average rating: 8.38

2,540 RATINGS

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86 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

sophiabordon22
Mar 26, 2025
Great book, eye opening to untreated PTSD.
Anonymous
Mar 26, 2025
10/10 stars
Great love take. Another Kristin Hannah delightful tale.
Booksoverpeople2025
Mar 08, 2025
10/10 stars
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an absolute masterpiece—a book that completely captivated me from start to finish. If you thought The Nightingale was incredible (which it is), this one somehow hit me even harder. I would give it a 100 out of 100 because it’s that powerful. It’s a must-read for young adults, adults—honestly, everyone! This novel takes us into the wild, untamed beauty of 1970s Alaska, where we follow Leni Allbright, a 13-year-old girl whose life is anything but stable. Her father, Ernt, is a Vietnam War veteran struggling with PTSD, and when he impulsively moves the family to the Alaskan wilderness to live off the grid, Leni and her mother, Cora, have no choice but to follow. At first, the stunning landscape seems like a fresh start, but as the long, brutal winter sets in, Ernt’s demons take over, and their home turns into a place just as dangerous as the world outside. This book is so much more than a survival story. It’s about resilience, love, trauma, and the power of the human spirit. Leni is one of the strongest female characters I’ve ever read—her journey from a helpless young girl to an independent woman who fights for her own future is unbelievable. And the way Hannah writes about Alaska? It’s breathtaking. The isolation, the beauty, the danger—it feels like another character in the book. What makes The Great Alone even more special is how deeply emotional it is. It deals with love and loss, abuse and survival, and the complicated bonds of family. There were moments I felt my heart shatter and others where I felt so moved by the strength of the characters. I highly, highly recommend this book—whether you love historical fiction, emotional family dramas, or survival stories, it has everything. It’s intense, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful. I loved it even more than The Nightingale, and that says a lot. For discussion: How did you feel about Leni’s growth throughout the novel? And did Alaska feel as alive to you as it did to me?
JessBezro
Feb 17, 2025
10/10 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Boriqua2005
Feb 08, 2025
10/10 stars
Trigger Warning: at what point do you give up on someone? At what point do you stay? This was my first Kristin Hannah book and I am hooked!! But definitely leaves you thinking about your tolerances in life….

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