“The Great Alone: A Novel” by Kristin Hannah is an intense and evocative tale set against the harsh beauty of the Alaskan wilderness in 1974. The story revolves around the Allbright family – Ernt, a Vietnam War veteran, his devoted wife Cora, and their resilient thirteen-year-old daughter Leni.
Ernt Allbright returns from the Vietnam War forever changed. Struggling with PTSD, his volatile nature and inability to hold down a job push his family towards a precipice. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, hoping to escape the ghosts of his past and provide a fresh start for his family, Ernt relocates his wife and daughter to Alaska, America’s last true frontier.
Cora, bound by an unwavering love for Ernt and an ardent desire to keep the family together, willingly embarks on this unpredictable journey. Leni, on the brink of adolescence and caught in the tumultuous waters of her parents’ relationship, has little choice but to follow along, holding onto the hope that this untamed land might usher in a better future for them.
Arriving in Alaska, the Allbrights are greeted by an untamed wilderness and a resilient community of hardy individuals. The seemingly endless days of sunshine and the warmth of their new neighbors compensate for their initial lack of preparedness and dwindling resources. However, Alaska’s enchanting summer gives way to an equally formidable winter, plunging the family into eighteen hours of darkness and extreme cold.
As the harsh winter looms, Ernt’s mental state begins to unravel, his mood darkening with the days. Despite the physical dangers that Alaska’s wilderness presents, it becomes increasingly evident that the most significant threat to Cora and Leni is not the brutal landscape but the man who brought them here. In their isolated cabin, buried under snow and shrouded in darkness, Leni and Cora face a chilling realization: they are truly alone.
The Great Alone is a deeply moving exploration of love and survival. Leni’s journey into adulthood amidst her parents’ toxic relationship, the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness, and a community as beautiful and dangerous as the land itself, forms the backbone of the narrative. The novel’s strength lies in Hannah’s ability to create vivid, unforgettable characters and her masterful depiction of Alaska’s breathtaking but brutal landscape.
The Great Alone Characters
“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah introduces several characters, each shaped by the harsh realities of life in the Alaskan wilderness:
1. Ernt Allbright: The patriarch of the Allbright family, Ernt is a former POW and a Vietnam War veteran. He struggles with PTSD, which manifests in his erratic, volatile, and sometimes violent behavior. His decision to move his family to Alaska sets the story in motion.
2. Cora Allbright: Cora is Ernt’s wife and Leni’s mother. A woman of great endurance and unconditional love, Cora is fiercely loyal to Ernt despite his abusive behavior. She follows her husband to Alaska, hoping for a fresh start for their family.
3. Leni Allbright: Leni is the 13-year-old daughter of Ernt and Cora. A strong and compassionate character, she is caught in the crossfire of her parents’ tumultuous relationship. Over the course of the novel, Leni matures and finds her own path amidst the harsh conditions in Alaska.
4. Large Marge: A former prosecutor in the Lower 48, Large Marge is one of the Allbrights’ neighbors in Alaska. A strong, kind, and supportive woman, she becomes a valuable friend and ally to Cora and Leni.
5. Matthew Walker: The son of one of the community’s founding families, Matthew is Leni’s classmate and love interest. His relationship with Leni provides a counterpoint to the tumultuous relationship between Cora and Ernt.
6. Tom Walker: Tom is Matthew’s father, a wealthy businessman, and landowner in the town. He represents a different perspective on life in Alaska, contrasting with Ernt’s survivalist, off-the-grid approach.
7. Mad Earl: An old friend of Ernt from his days in Vietnam, Mad Earl shares Ernt’s anti-government and survivalist beliefs.
The Great Alone Book Club Questions
Certainly, here are some questions you might discuss in a book club about “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah:
1. How does the Alaskan wilderness serve as a character in its own right? How does its changing nature affect the characters, especially Ernt, Cora, and Leni?
2. Leni’s relationship with her parents is complicated, particularly with her father, Ernt. How do you see her feelings towards her parents evolve throughout the book?
3. Cora’s love for Ernt often prevents her from leaving him, despite his abusive behavior. What does this suggest about the nature of love and its potentially destructive effects?
4. Discuss the theme of survival in the book, not only in the Alaskan wilderness but also in the dynamics of the Allbright family. How does each character’s approach to survival differ?
5. Leni’s coming-of-age journey is a significant aspect of the story. How does living in Alaska shape her growth and transformation?
6. The community in Alaska is an essential support system for Leni and Cora. Discuss the role of community in the book.
7. Ernt Allbright is a veteran dealing with PTSD. How does the author portray the effects of war on Ernt and, indirectly, on his family?
8. Cora and Leni’s relationship changes throughout the course of the novel. How do they depend on each other? How does their relationship evolve, especially towards the end of the book?
9. Matthew plays an important role in Leni’s life. How does their relationship contrast with the one between Leni’s parents?
10. The title of the book, “The Great Alone,” has multiple potential meanings. How does it reflect the experiences of the characters and the central themes of the book?
I hope you find the Great Alone Summary Helpful!