The Great Alone

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The number one New York Times best seller

The newest audiobook sensation from Kristin Hannah, best-selling author of The Nightingale.

This program is read by acclaimed narrator Julia Whelan, whose enchanting voice brought Gone Girl and Fates and Furies to life. Kristin Hannah reads the acknowledgements.

Alaska, 1974. Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.

For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: He will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier. Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown.

At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they 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 Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources. But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in 18 hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: They are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska - a place of incomparable beauty and danger.

The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night audiobook about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.

Praise for The Great Alone:

"Listeners, beware: You won't want to stop listening to narrator Julia Whelan's performance of this complex story of survival and family.... With pitch-perfect timing and a touch of drama, Whelan exquisitely builds the tension, creating an enveloping atmosphere of foreboding that's difficult to turn away from...a don't miss audiobook experience." (AudioFile Magazine)

"Reliably alluring...The Great Alone is packed with rapturous descriptions of Alaskan scenery.... Hannah remembers and summons an undeveloped wilderness, describing a gloriously pristine region in the days before cruise ships discovered it." (The New York Times Daily Review)

"Kristin Hannah's new novel makes Alaska sound equally gorgeous and treacherous - a glistening realm that lures folks into the wild and then kills them there." (The Washington Post)

©2017 Kristin Hannah (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Six Stars!

I'm really struggling to write a review worthy of The Great Alone, so instead, I will just jot down some thoughts as they come and call it good enough.

This book is incredible. It was completely captivating and I listened to the final 10.5 hours straight through because I just couldn't turn it off. I usually don't listen to audiobooks for more than 3 or 4 hours in a day.

This book is about surviving against almost insurmountable odds. The Great Alone begins with main character, Leni, and her parents, Cora and Ernt, getting ready for yet another sudden move. Ernt was a POW in Vietnam and returned home with a lot of issues that we know in current times to be PTSD related. He was unable to keep a job and constantly searching for the next thing and the next place that will make everything be okay again. This lead him to the middle of nowhere Alaska. We could pretty much count all of the people who lived in the town on our fingers and toes. There was no electricity, no running water, no inside toilet, pretty much nothing but a run down one room (with no door) cabin with a loft for Leni to sleep in. They show up completely unprepared and are lucky to meet some great townsfolk who immediately jump in to help them prepare their house and property and learn what they need to know to start out. Of course, their kindness rubs Ernt the wrong way as he takes it as them saying he can't take care of his family rather than being neighborly.

Things get worse here as the weather and darkness bring out the worst in Ernt and his paranoia increases as well as his violence and physical abuse of his wife. He becomes big into doomsday preparation and is obsessive about it. He feeds off of another doomsday person he meets there. It gets extreme.

Even though Alaska is insanely cold and dangerous, Leni finally feels that she has found a place to belong and a place to call home. She is lucky enough to meet a best friend in her school of 5 students. He is a boy her same age. She is eager to learn and really thrives in the environment and becomes attached to some of her neighbors but due to her father's mistrust and controlling ways, has to hide her friendships.

This book blew me away. I practically hung on every word. There were a few really emotional parts too. I pretty much sobbed during one part, which was awkward because I happened to be driving when that happened. There were several times where I noticed that my heart was beating super fast and I was either on the edge of my seat or up and pacing around.

The only thing that I wish was different in this book is that I wish we got more of a what happens next at the end of the book. I need more.

The narrator was wonderful. I don't have a single negative thing to say about the narration. This felt like a flawless narration. Her voices were excellent and she read so perfectly, switching between characters that I didn't once get pulled out of the story. It all seemed so natural and believable. Whereas many books, I am constantly aware of the narrator, in this book, I was not. The pacing and emotion was all perfect as well. This audiobook is definitely worthy of a credit or even paying full price.

I highly recommend The Great Alone. I will probably buy a print copy of this book to read as well but either way I know I will listen to this audiobook again.

Amazing Alaska

captivating, informative story. gave me a new appreciation and respect for Alaska and sympathy for victims of domestic abuse..
well read , wide range of voices made the sorry come to life.

Unexpected

I downloaded this book based on the author. The storyline itself did not peak my interest, but I enjoyed The Nightingale so much that I wanted to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. This story has struggle, beauty, naivety, innocence, love, compassion, suspense, and so much more. Now I just have to decide which Kristin Hannah novel to listen to next!

Magnificent

The best book I have ever! From start to finish, you can’t stop listening to it.

Best ever!

What a book! It was like being there with all of the people!
They were real!

Stunning Work

The setting, historical detail, beautiful character development, and well-developed plot are all reasons to love this fantastic read. You will not be disappointed!

Why waste Alaska?

Disappointing.
As far as writers of fiction go, there are none better than Kristin Hannah. The Great Alone is a decent enough novel. Worth the price of admission. But it could have been so much better. Alaska was wasted.

The title would suggest otherwise. However, as others have said, this story could have taken place anywhere. For instance, when Leni, the main character, is seventeen, we see her in her element, a hunter out in the snowy wilds tracking and killing an animal for meat. That is the only scene in the entire book of this skill, this ability to tame and adapt to the land. This skill has no part in the story. It is an appendage to it.

That's why the novel is disappointing. I had hoped to see Leni overcome the wilderness and that ability play some part in overcoming the conflict of the story. It didn't. The title is a tease that doesn't payoff.

Kristen Hannah never disappoints.

Although the subject matter is a difficult one and at times frustrating this story still delivers an inspiring message of hope when it seems all is lost, of enduring love, and steadfastness in all situations.

Like Alaska itself: gut wrenchingly beautiful

Any additional comments?

This could be the first Audiobook that kept me up at night because i couldn't stop listening. It was one of the most compelling and beautifully written books I've come across in years. What a stunning portrait of the Alaskan bush in the late 70s and early 80s. Like the setting, the story and its characters are gorgeous, unpredictable, dangerous, and heartbreakingly beautiful. There were times when it almost felt like too much to take, but i think that was intentional, a reflection of Alaskan winters that are ultimately warmed by the midnight sun. Can't wait to read more from this author and Julia Whalen was sensational as always.

gripping, fascinating, addicting, tragic, stunning

you will get sucked in from the very beginning and find yourself IN their world. this is one that sticks with you! ! Incredible writing & character development!