Review: "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah

Take a dysfunctional family in crisis, add in the long, dark winter nights of Alaska and you have the basis for Kristen Hannah’s phenomenal new novel, The Great Alone. Leni’s dad, Ernt, is a Vietnam POW with a temper that is hard to control due to horrible war experiences. Cora, her mother, loves him and takes the adage, “Stand by your man” to a new level. Leni’s mother is her best friend and she does all her in power to protect her. All this combines to make for a heartbreaking story you can’t put down.

The plot is multi-faceted but Ms. Hannah handles the various plots and relationship dynamics superbly creating a seamless storyline that holds you enthralled to the last page. The characters are normal everyday people and we can relate to them and their situations. The emotions that are displayed are heartwarming and at times, also gut wrenching. Just when you think you know where the storyline is heading, it abruptly changes.

I read this book in two days, I could not put it down. I identified closely with the relationship between the mother and daughter (which I’m sure a lot of readers will) which made the novel very personal. Because this story deals with very adult situations, I recommend it for older teens or young adults to adult readers. Pick this book up, you won’t be disappointed.