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Catherine (The Gilmore Guide to Books)'s Reviews > The Great Alone
The Great Alone
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I can't say the last time I DNFed a book with 50 pages left to read but this novel forced my hand. I like to think I can read novels with characters whose actions are foreign to my own so I did accept Cora's psychological dependence on Ernt, even though he liked to beat her and apologize and drink and blame his Vietnam experiences- without ever trying to get help. I even understood the whole 'move to Alaska' idea, uprooting your teenage daughter and putting her life in danger because you're unbalanced and don't know much about living in the wild. But Hannah keeps pushing and leaves reality far behind. She falls down a drama rabbit hole, piling on ever more trauma to the point where I expected Pennywise the Clown to appear and pull Leni into a sewer.
I loved The Nightingale so am confused as to where this novel came from.
I loved The Nightingale so am confused as to where this novel came from.
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Reading Progress
December 27, 2017
– Shelved
February 2, 2018
–
Started Reading
February 4, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-34 of 34 (34 new)
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Karen
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rated it 1 star
Feb 08, 2018 09:51AM
I'm 100 pages in and beginning to skim. It feels like a YA novel so far with everything being from Leni's perspective. It's very forced, especially the 70s references. And I feel like she's 'telling' about Alaska rather than 'showing' the reader.
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No matter what- it didn't work. I bailed with less than 80 pages left, which is saying a lot.
Yeah, I pretty much skimmed the last section. It did get very far-fetched!
Your review was perfect! I feel the exact same way!
I didn’t write a review because I didn’t know what to say. I truly disliked this book, I had to look hard to find someone who felt the same. The book felt like fiction, I know it was, but that’s the way it felt. I had no connections to anyone and I also skimmed the last 100 pages. I can’t believe all the love love ❤️ for this book, I don’t get it.
I do the same thing--It's always reassuring to read reviews from people who agree with you! One thing I love about ŷ!
Ugh. What am I missing? This was so disappointing and there are so many 5 reviews. How many cliches can be contained in one book? I totally agree with all of the comments above. I skimmed the entire second half of the book after wondering when the first half would improve. It reminded me of loving “To Kill a Mockingbird�, waiting months to read Harper Lee’s last book, and then wanting to close it and forget I ever wasted my time.
I actually went back and read the last 50 pages and was angry that I did. I didn't think it could get worse but ultimately it read more like a Disney movie then anything I would expect from an author of this caliber. Or was The Nightingale a one-off and her other work is like this?
Read my review. I’m so glad there are other people who felt the same way I did. Wow. So glad some other folks got fed up with the HORRIBLE HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AND THEN WHAM A MAGICAL ENDING. ugh.
Glad there are other folks who felt the same way I did.
I'm 70% done and I was liking it pretty well up until about 50% through. Now it's like she's throwing every OMG DRAMATIC!!! thing that can happen into the mix, and she's lost me. I think I'll probably finish, but I might be skimming a lot. It's all just TOO MUCH.
Thank you! I was thinking about reading this, but I do not as a rule like Kristin Hannah. Her writing is very cliched, and I do not understand why everyone loves her. The Nightingale was restrained for her, but there were definitely signs.
Agree as well. Surprised to see so many positive reviews. I have 70 pages left and am ready to just give up.
I am a third the way into this novel and am so unexpectedly unhappy with the book that I went seeking some opinions that might bolster my own since I am feeling a bit like I’ve fallen into a rabbit hole. I, too, adored Hannah’s The Nightingale and have gotten everyone I know to read it. Then there’s this book. I loathe it. You stopped 50 pages from the end? Nothing gets better?
Well said, especially the reference to Pennywise the Clown. How much more angst could Ms. Hannah pack into the final chapters of the book after the slow slog through the rest of it? Hard to believe this was the same author as The Nightingale.
I loved The Nightengale but found The Great Alone very disappointing. I rarely quit a book but had to give up on this one after 150 pages.
I slogged through this book. My library online loan ended about 100 pages from the end, and I find I don’t really care. I won’t usually read a poorly written book, and I don’t think it WAS written poorly. Some of the prose was lovely, and the description of the Alaska wilderness and their near complete isolation there was well done. The plot was so plodding though, and predictable even though the life changing events were fast and furious. I think it could have been much better.
I would call this a vacation book.....book to read while on the beach....Totally predictable. NOOOOO thinking involved with reading this book....good for vacation
I slogged to the conclusion just because I thought it couldn’t get any worse, BUT IT DID!
Ugh I am at 50% and hating it. I didn’t like the Nightingale either but I started reading this hoping it would be better. It’s not. I don’t get why everyone loves her books so much.
Yes! I listened to the audiobook and found myself snorting at the ridiculousness of SO much of this awful, awful book.
Yes it was a ridiculous read .
Ha! Hilarious review, Catherine. This is one of the Hannah novels that I had owned but not yet read (the other was Firefly Lane) � and promptly gave away after reading and reviewing The Four Winds. No, thank you.
Same here. I'm about 90% through. I'm going to finish it, but there's been lots of eye rolling.I'm loving the Alaskan setting, but the mother's character seems makes one dumb decision after another.
I agree with your review. I honestly don't get why so many readers gave this 4 or 5 stars. I have about 5 pages left and not sure I can finish! I loved The Nightingale. I read the first Firefly book and didn't really like it. The Great Alone was suggested as a great read, but no it wasn't. I may be giving up on Kristin Hannah.
I did not like the nightingale at all for the same reasons you listed above. Unrealistic unnecessary drama trying too hard to shock the reader. I’ll skip reading the Great Alone also. Thanks!
Couldn't agree more.....truly smh
I can’t believe how few people rated this a one star. I’m about to quit this although I’m only at Chapter 17. The mother-daughter, co-dependent, victims of domestic abuse make me want to scream.
AAAA i'm at 60% and i am really confused too bcs I LOVE LOVE THE NIGHTINGALE. But this? What is this
I should know better by now and always read the one-star reviews before I buy a book. I'm having a very hard time getting to the end.
I’m on page 105 and I’m just not sure I can carry on. The mother and daughter are already irritating me and after reading other’s comments it doesn’t sound like it gets any better. I too enjoyed The Nightingale and have been taken in by the hype of Hannah’s books in general but this book is just tedious! I’ve carried on reading up to now in the hope I’ll make some connection or something interesting will happen but I’m not hopeful.
