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By Michelle Carollo
Lincoln County Library
The Great Alone follows the Allbright family—Ernt, Cora, and their teenage daughter Leni—as they attempt to rebuild their lives in the wilds of Alaska in the 1970s. Ernt, a Vietnam War veteran and former POW, is haunted by trauma and struggles with violent mood swings, paranoia, and the inability to hold a steady job. When he inherits a small cabin and land in remote Kaneq from the family of a fallen comrade, he becomes convinced that Alaska’s isolation will offer a fresh start.
The Allbrights arrive in Alaska unprepared for the realities of frontier life, but the small community quickly steps in to help. Locals teach them essential skills like hunting, gardening, canning, and how to brace for the brutal winter ahead. Leni, who has always felt unsettled and out of place, begins to thrive in this rugged environment. She forms a close friendship with Matthew Walker, a kind boy whose gentleness and understanding make her feel seen and safe.
But when the long, dark winter sets in, Ernt’s mental state deteriorates rapidly. The lack of sunlight, endless isolation, and his deep-seated anger fuel his paranoia. He becomes increasingly controlling and abusive toward Cora, pulling her and Leni into a dangerous cycle of fear. The community becomes wary of his volatility, and his hostility grows especially strong toward the Walker family.
As Leni and Matthew’s friendship turns into young love, Ernt’s resentment explodes. His behavior becomes more unpredictable, and the threat he poses to his family intensifies. Leni and Cora quietly plan to escape, but their attempt is derailed by Ernt’s escalating violence. When he finally attacks Cora with the intent to kill her, she shoots him in self-defense. Knowing no one will believe the years of abuse, Leni helps her mother hide the truth, and the two flee Alaska.
They begin a new life elsewhere, but the secret weighs heavily on them. Eventually, the truth comes out, and Cora turns herself in to protect Leni. She dies in prison, leaving Leni heartbroken but finally free from the cycle of abuse.
After her mother’s death, Leni returns to Alaska and reunites with Matthew, who survived a tragic accident years earlier but carries lasting injuries. Together, they begin to rebuild their lives in the place that shaped them both.
In the end, The Great Alone is a story of survival, trauma, love, and the fierce resilience of a mother and daughter who fight to reclaim their lives against overwhelming odds.
You can find this book—and many more by Kristin Hannah—in both book and audiobook format throughout the Lincoln County Library System. They’re also available as ebooks and eAudiobooks at linclib.org through Libby by OverDrive.
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