I received this book as a Christmas gift and this is the first book by Kristin Hannah that I’ve ever read. I know it sounds crazy that I haven’t read any of her other books but it’s true! After reading this book I know that I will be reading more of her books. This is a terrific book.

Leni Allbright is the only child of Ernt and Cora Allbright. She is a thirteen-year-old girl that has changed schools too many times. Her father is a Vietnam veteran who can’t hold down a job. Her mother is an attractive woman who endures his abuse because of love.

Leni’s life has been difficult and she has had to rely upon herself through all of the domestic turmoil. She knows the pattern and knows when to hide away. Her life is upended once again as her father receives a letter from the father of a Vietnam buddy. His friend owned property in Alaska and told his father that if he died, he wanted his good friend Ernt Allbright to have the house and property.

To Ernt, this seems to be a dream. He hasn’t been able to provide a home for his family and now he has inherited one. Without looking back, Ernt packs up his wife and daughter and they head to Alaska. This was the new beginning Ernt wanted.

It is 1974 and the family has arrived in Homer, Alaska to provision for the trip to their new home in Kaneq. They have no idea how to survive in the wilds of Alaska. At the general store, they meet the owner and their neighbor, Large Marge. She takes pity on the unprepared family and guides them to some indispensable items and gives them directions to their new home.

Home is a small cabin without running water or plumbing. They had to haul water from the creek and use an outhouse. When winter came, they would be cut off from the mainland. People spent much of their time preparing for the winter. They raised a garden, hunted, fished and preserved food for the long, dark days ahead.

Once they were settled into their cabin, the Allbright family visited the family of Ernt’s Vietnam friend, Bo Harlan. The head of the Harlan clan was Mad Earl. He and his family lived off the grid in the back country. Mad Earl had moved his family to Alaska to escape the craziness of the lower 48 states. Ernt sensed a kindred spirit in Mad Earl. He struck up a friendship with the old man.

When the Allbrights moved, Leni had left school before the year ended. She needed to begin school in town. Her first day at school is a complete surprise as she discovers a total of 6 students in the local school. One student, Matthew Walker, is her nearest neighbor and the same age. They begin their friendship over a love of Tolkien. If they stay in Alaska, Matthew would be Leni’s first friend

For a time, life in Alaska seems to be exactly what her father needed. Ernt’s bad dreams stopped and everyone relaxed. They worked hard and settled in as winter approached. The shorter days and amount of time spent indoors began to wear on Leni’s father. He spent his days hunting to provide for the family but their rations were meager and no one ever felt full. He didn’t want to accept anything on credit so they stopped going to town. Somehow Ernt still managed to find alcohol to drink.

Leni’s mother, Cora, tried to hold her family together. The darkness and isolation made time seem to stand still. Ernt could not stand staying in the house and he would wander through the woods for hours hunting. His drinking increased and he began hitting Cora. After a beating that ended with Cora being hospitalized, Leni’s father was given an ultimatum. He could go to work on the Alaska pipeline or he could go to jail. He decided to go to work on the pipeline and let their neighbor stay with Leni and Cora.

This became a good solution to the problem. Unfortunately, after four years, Leni was faced once again with change. Her father was fired from the pipeline. In returning to their home he stepped back into the role of drunk abuser.

What does his return mean for his family? Will the Allbrights be able to survive and heal or will Ernt’s return mean the end?

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

I absolutely love this book. Kristin Hannah describes Alaska so vividly that you feel the cold, the desolation of the long winter nights. Her characters come alive as you progress through the book. I worried for Leni. I felt terrified of her father and his abusive nature. I couldn’t imagine the horror to come.

I recommend this book without reservation. It is amazing and the author has the unique ability to transport you into her world using only words. Pick up the book and head out to Alaska!

Additional thoughts: As mentioned, this is the first book of Kristin Hannah’s that I’ve ever read. I was interested in the book immediately. Her descriptions are vivid and capture your imagination. If’ you haven’t read anything by her, see what you think. Let me know your impression. I plan to add a couple more of her books to my list.