A review by kabornman
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

adventurous emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed the first part of the book. It was a slow build, character driven, beautifully descriptive, and allowed me to have an evolving relationship with the characters as I got to know them. Then the last third of the book started moving at break neck speed and tossing out tragic plot points in order to wrench emotions out of the reader (it reminded me of This Is Us). If the ending had been pared down and slowed it, it would have been much more satisfying. 

I also felt this was a good setting for more native representation, but with Large Marge’s character coming dangerously close to the magical negro / mammy trope, it’s probably best they were minimally included. 

Ultimately, I’ll hold on to my love for the beginning and give more books by Hannah a try, but unlikely to recommend. 
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