The Great Alone is one of those rare masterpiece novels. Kristin Hannah told a story that was vivid, alive, and full of emotion. She told the story of Leni, who at the age of 13 was brought to the wildness of Alaska by her parents. They were unprepared and hiding a volatile family life. Her father was a POW in the Vietnam war and suffered from PTSD, although that was not labeled during the 197o's, and the family was left to deal with his violent and paranoid behavior.

The novel is a journey through Leni's life. I feel like I have lived another lifetime within the pages of these books. It was a good, but troubled life, full of adventure and tragedy. It was so real that I could see the harsh Alaska winters and the wild variety of love. Part of Leni will live inside of every reader.

This was my first novel by Kristin Hannah. Yet, I do not want it to be my last.