The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - Book Review

 The Great Alone

By Kristin Hannah

Rating 5/5

Genres : Historical fiction,Alaska, romance,drama, violence, World War ii.

I am not a hopeless romantic or a sentimental freak but this book had me tearing up real bad towards the end. Its a profoundly touching story that is bitter, scary,sad and beautiful all at the same time. It conveys a beautiful message that Love thrives and lasts - in some form or another - through time and forever.

Alaska is referred to as the great alone In this story. People from far and away often make their homes in the state to live peaceful, independent and secluded lives. Those who are survivors can make it but those who can't, they go elsewhere. I didn't like Alaska- no, more like scared and horrified by it (although the heroine loves it and calls it her true home) - its a cold and isolated place with no electricity and where people lived entirely to survive the harsh climate and get through dangerous winters. Leni is a thirteen year old teenager whose father is a broken world War veteran and mother is a college drop out. They have this dark,obsessive relationship where the father has nightmares and is physically abusive but the mother puts up with it through unconditional love. After finding it hard to hold to regular and stable jobs, the father makes a decision to move the family to Alaska and make a fresh start. The winters which are usually hard on people are especially cruel to the Albright family because the father becomes desolate and more unmoored during this time. They make friends with all their small town neighbors and for a few years the family lives happily keeping a check on the father during winters. Leni falls in love with their neighbor kid Matthew Walker but the father hates the Walkers because they are rich and have high say in the society.  Things take a violent turn - the father gets killed,  Matthew becomes broken in body and mind and Leni with her mother escape from Alaska to Seattle. A few years pass by - Leni gives birth to a baby boy, finishes up college and goes back to Alaska ... what does she find there? Is there a home still left for her? Is Matthew still waiting for her? 

It's a wonderful and heartbreaking story of pain, loss, survival and love forever written by a terrific author. No doubt it deserves every single point of the 5 pointer rating i gave it.