Epic Solitude

A Story of Survival and a Quest for Meaning in the Far North

By: Katherine Keith

Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

All her life, Katherine Keith has hungered for remote, wild places that fill her soul with freedom and peace. Her travels take her across America, but it is in the vast and rugged landscape of Alaska that she finds her true home. Alaska is known as a place where people disappear - at least a couple thousand go missing each year. But the same vast and rugged landscape that contributed to so many people being lost is precisely what has gotten her found.

She and her husband build a log cabin miles away from the nearest road and create a life of love. An idyllic existence, but with isolation and brutal living conditions can also come heartbreak. Chopping wood and hauling water are not just parts of a Zen proverb but a requirement for survival. Keith experiences tragic loss and must push on, with her infant daughter, alone in the Alaskan backcountry.

Long-distance dog sledding opens a door to a new existence. Racing across the state of Alaska offers the best of all worlds by combining raw wilderness with solitude and athleticism. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the "Last Great Race on Earth", remains a true test of character and offers the opportunity to intimately explore the frontier that she has come to love.

With every thousand miles of winter trail traversed in total solitude, she confronts challenges that awaken internal demons, summoning all the inner grief and rage that lies dormant. In the tradition of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and John Krakauer’s Into the Wild, Epic Solitude is the powerful and touching story of how one woman found her way - both despite and because of - the difficulties of living and racing in the remote wilderness.

©2020 Katherine Keith (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

More About Life’s Sorrows Than Adventure

Well written, I quickly grew tired of hearing about the author’s tragedies, which seem never ending and began fast forwarding to the bits about actual life in Alaska and dogsledding. Also, the strange life events of the author and her Buddhism detracted from her story.

Inspiring and Motivating

Definitely worth the read/listen. This Author’s amazing life journey is inspiring and motivating. She takes us on her emotional journey bearing her truth heart and sole. She shines a megawatt light on her pain while offering safe passage to others without fear of judgment. Bravo Ms. Keith. Thank you for sharing. Namaste

Fantastic read!

This book is open honest and raw. I love the fact that it is spiritual without being preachy and it is written from the point of view that’s in the moment. The story isn’t all in chronological order but it has a nice flow to it.

Great Narration

I really enjoyed the emotion the narrator put into this reading, almost more verbal storytelling than a reading. I enjoyed the story, too, but I found it a little preachy at times. I'm glad the author was able to find her meaning and way, but the most enjoyable parts for me were about mushing dogs.

Powerful

Such an epic read! Tears, laughter, thought provoking insights....Epic Solitude has it all. Katherine Keith reveals all in this painful and powerful memoir. So appreciative for her courage to share so much of herself, and for her investment in the growth and reset of the rest of us.

disappointed

struggled to finish. I hoped the author would have included more perspective of others to enrich the story.
Also disappointed by the disorganized storyline