This week our book club came together in force to discuss the novel The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. We really had a large group and a good discussion. I believe that this month was the final meeting for the last holdouts of our summer residents, as well, so we say goodbye to them until next spring! Don't send us photos of warm sunshine and the beach, please! Well, maybe just a few...
The Great Alone is a novel set primarily in Alaska in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The story follows Cora and Ernt Allbright and their daughter Leni as they learn how to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. It also follows their story as they cope with Ernt's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and domestic abuse. The plot takes place over a period of approximately 12 years as Leni grows up and struggles to develop her own life. The book provides a remarkably vivid portrayal of life/survival in Alaska in the 1970s and a dark image of a family battling violence from within.
Our discussion group seemed to agree that the book provided an excellent perspective of life in Alaska in the 1970s. The remoteness, the hardship, and the weather were prominent features of the story while the PTSD and domestic abuse plot lines somehow seemed to play a more minor role. Indeed, during our discussion, the majority of the concepts discussed were focused more around Alaskan life and difficulties while the domestic abuse angle wasn't even raised until later in the period. While most members agreed that they liked the book, several commented that they felt "let-down" by the ending because if seemed contrived and predictable. But, the general consensus was that if you wanted a book that provided an authentic image of life in Alaska 40 years ago, this is a great option.
At the end of every book club discussion we ask three questions and track the average answers:
Would we recommend this to another book club for discussion?
"YES"
Would we recommend this to a friend to read?
"YES" (but it wasn't unanimous)
Rate the book 1-4 stars with 1 being the lowest rating:
3 stars (the ratings varied among the members from 2 stars to 4 stars)
