ldalton72's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Spoiler
this was a super slow read in the beginning for me, it didn’t get really good until a little before the middle of the book. I loved Leni. The way Kristin Hanna writes was captivating and kept me on my toes at some points. I genuinely had no idea how this book was going to unfold, but it ended up being impactful and a book I will remember for a long time.readingundertheradar's review against another edition
5.0
I'm definitely going to be reading more from this author. Incredible story.
CW: lots of 'em. domestic violence, animal cruelty, language historically accurate for 1970s which may cause triggers to some, ptsd, gun violence, propaganda
CW: lots of 'em. domestic violence, animal cruelty, language historically accurate for 1970s which may cause triggers to some, ptsd, gun violence, propaganda
rachaeln__'s review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! Halfway through reading it I was worried that it was going to be a let down but it did not disappoint! Another great book by Kristin Hannah.
lesleeisaac's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
macmilk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kristendoneaway's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ch4pterfour's review against another edition
4.0
I rate this just under The Nightingale, which earned every bit of its 5 stars from me. The Great Alone gets 4.5, but since i had to choose between 4 and 5, I went up. This book now claims one of my most hated characters in literature. When I thought things would work out one way, they didn’t; then things got turned around again to surprise me and give me hope for a different good ending. And then it would happen again.
nanabear's review against another edition
5.0
Devastating and wonderful
At 75% through I thought that, while this book was beautifully written, it was bleak and depressing and there was no way it could end well. Boy was I wrong! This book is about love surviving against all odds.
At 75% through I thought that, while this book was beautifully written, it was bleak and depressing and there was no way it could end well. Boy was I wrong! This book is about love surviving against all odds.
jessthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
This is a coming of age story, following Leni, from 13 years old and throughout her teenage years. Leni's father, Ernt, fought in the Vietnam war and was held and tortured as a prisoner of war. When he returns to his wife, Cora and his daughter, he is much changed, suffering from terrible nightmares, and he becomes violent.
One day Ernt receives correspondence from the father of one of the soldiers that Ernt had befriended, to say that he had left his piece of land in Alaska to Ernt. Ernt sees this as the chance for a fresh start for his family, to leave civilisation and go and starta new life in America's last frontier.
The family arrive in Alaska and realise that they weren't prepared. It is wild and untamed, and danger seems to lurk around every corner. The danger that seems the worst to Leni though, is that her father's anger gets worse and worse, and they are stuck inside with him through the long dark winter, where the sun never rises.
In a very weird way this was kind of like the Shining without the ghosts. Stuck in the wilderness with a man who is getting more and more violent and out of hand.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Alaska, it really is a fascinating place. However, the story wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. It was very slow (almost a little boring), and then all of a sudden sped up at the end and got more and more ridiculous.
This is a coming of age story, following Leni, from 13 years old and throughout her teenage years. Leni's father, Ernt, fought in the Vietnam war and was held and tortured as a prisoner of war. When he returns to his wife, Cora and his daughter, he is much changed, suffering from terrible nightmares, and he becomes violent.
One day Ernt receives correspondence from the father of one of the soldiers that Ernt had befriended, to say that he had left his piece of land in Alaska to Ernt. Ernt sees this as the chance for a fresh start for his family, to leave civilisation and go and starta new life in America's last frontier.
The family arrive in Alaska and realise that they weren't prepared. It is wild and untamed, and danger seems to lurk around every corner. The danger that seems the worst to Leni though, is that her father's anger gets worse and worse, and they are stuck inside with him through the long dark winter, where the sun never rises.
In a very weird way this was kind of like the Shining without the ghosts. Stuck in the wilderness with a man who is getting more and more violent and out of hand.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Alaska, it really is a fascinating place. However, the story wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. It was very slow (almost a little boring), and then all of a sudden sped up at the end and got more and more ridiculous.