Great Alone Novel Kristin Hannah ebook Reviews Summary

Storytelling and Writing Style

Pros:

• "This author knows how to tell a tale and has enough twists to keep the reader interested."
• "She is an amazing writer, and creates the most compelling and multi-faceted characters in her novels."
• "The author's ability to paint such a vivid picture of the setting allowed me to immerse myself fully in the story."
• "Kristin Hannah has woven a believable tale that will thrill and chill you in so many ways."
• "The story, the setting and the writing are grand and wonderful and tragic at the same time."
• "Hannah masterfully crafts complicated & memorable characters."
• "No one relays a story as beautifully & eloquently as Kristin Hannah!"

Cons:

• "Beyond the occasional Alaskan descriptions that were just fictive enough to be annoying."
• "A few places the story moves a bit slow, but even then it keeps the reader turning the pages, especially late in the book."
• "But so many things seemed unbelievable."
• "Character development was sorely lacking, to the point that I never really cared about any of the people depicted in the book."
• "Too many things just did,t ring true."
• "The use of profanity which I never feel is necessary in writing turned me off."
• "Corny might be too severe a criticism, but I don't think melodramatic is going too far."

Themes and Emotional Impact

Pros:

• "It's a wonderful story about the resilience of man and the capacity for love."
• "The exploration of themes such as love, sacrifice, resilience, and the lengths one would go to protect those they care about resonated deeply with me."
• "A pure love story is interwoven that triumphs in the end."
• "You will not remain in a puddle of tears. There is healing, and redemption too."
• "The story and prose was so beautiful and touching."
• "This novel will give you all the feels, but be prepared to cry."
• "This is a story of survival and damaged love."

Cons:

• "On the real tip though, this is a dark book. There are several instances of domestic abuse, graphically depicted."
• "Prepare to be depressed. 98% of this book is about struggle."
• "Emotional torture for the reader."
• "The story is dark and sad and sometimes maddening."
• "This is not a happy book, though it has those moments, it is raw and powerful and stories like this are important."
• "This was the saddest book ever though. So be prepared."
• "The story definitely sucks you in, but wow this book is depressing."

Setting and Descriptions

Pros:

• "The harsh realities of humans versus nature are described so perfectly."
• "I loved how Kristin makes Alaska home."
• "The description of the territory in Alaska is amazing."
• "The description of Alaska is beautiful, the wildness, the way of life, the isolation."
• "Her descriptions of the Alaskan landscape were gorgeous, and the story was just incredible."
• "The landscape that Kristin Hannah portrayed in the book was beautiful and captivating, and got me interested in seeing Alaska one day."
• "Hannah has a very good way with description, so you can almost hear, feel and taste her descriptions."

Cons:

• "The Alaskan winter was especially brutal for the small family."
• "Winter in Alaska is something they have to prepare for all year round and there are only 4-5 hours of daylight in wintertime and it gets very dangerous and people disappear all the time."
• "For much of the year, it was cold and bleak, with little sunlight."
• "Alaska is fierce, even the smallest mistake can be fatal."
• "The family is not prepared for the majesty and beauty of Alaska, but they are also not prepared for the demands of the climate."
• "I could feel the cold and vast wilderness."
• "Alaska itself is a star of this novel with visit description of the beauty of the land as well as the people who live there."

Characters and Development

Pros:

• "All the characters in this book were larger than life."
• "The complicated characters are dynamic and we experience their believable changes."
• "Leni is an extremely memorable character in this book because despite her obstacles and challenges faced she grew into herself, found strength, and prevailed."
• "The supporting cast of characters are strong and realistic."
• "The characters in this book were amazing. They were all completely well done, unique, and important to the story."
• "Leni’s development from a girl to a woman to a survivor is perfect."
• "I loved this story of a mother and daughter’s love and how they survive."

Cons:

• "Leni's father got nastier and nastier from the PTSD and drinking and the Alaskan winter darkness."
• "And the fact that her mother allowed herself to be brutalized made me dislike her a great deal."
• "Her parents are an abusive tragedy waiting to happen."
• "Staying in an abusive relationship is horrific."
• "Ernt is a hard, controlling hot-tempered man, but mom loves and forgives him over and over until...."
• "Unfortunately, the horrific PTSD suffered by a Vietnam War veteran threatened to tear the community apart."
• "Ernt's fragile stability begins to fray, and he becomes increasingly more violent, and isolates his family."