Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

373 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a gorgeous story. It went from great warming, to gut wrenching, to heartwarming all over again. I really didn't know what to expect with this, as it was my first Kristin Hanna novel, but it turned out to be a very lovely story that I connect with on a deep level. 
The writing style was intricate, harsh, and refreshing. I love stories of strong female characters navigating their personal wonders.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

KH kills it at painting a picture with words, and this is no exception. This was beautiful and challenging and inspiring all at the same time. This one really highlights that we can handle more than we think, and be more than we think we are. This book is about surviving, and surviving very different circumstances. 

This was beautiful, but doesn’t quite beat The Four Winds or The Women for me. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was definitely a good book. I was absolutely riveted by the story of Leni, her parents Ernt and Cora, and their hopeful, but utterly unprepared move to Alaska. I thought the character development here was incredibly strong right down the line, with Alaska itself being a character that gives, shapes, punishes and rewards the people living there in equal measure. Kristin Hannah did an amazing job bringing this beautiful, harsh landscape to life. 

The first half of the book was incredible - I could not put it down - but like others have said, it became one really sad thing after another at one point. I know that's Hannah's formula (this is the third book of hers I've read this year) but this one felt particularly challenging emotionally, maybe because I was so deeply invested in the characters and wanted them all to be OK. 

I loved the ending and once again, flawless narration by Julia Whelan. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a stunning depiction of adversity, mental illness, heartbreak, and perpetual love. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Easily the best book I have ever read. It destroyed me.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I cried more than I have for a book in a long time. Genuinely the best book I’ve read all year. The fictional lives of the characters pull you in, and the writing makes it all feel so real. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

You know it’s been a great book when you grieve the characters. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
shan_lawinger's profile picture

shan_lawinger's review

2.0
dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings