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Lucia's Reviews > The Great Alone
The Great Alone
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by
Plotline – 5 STARS
The Great Alone is rough story of survival. Not only survival in beautiful but hard Alaska, but also a survival of family in dark crises. It is very strong story with rollercoaster of emotions that made me read long into the night hours. I appreciate the fact that in its essence this is a coming-of-age story yet I would never classify it as NA novel because it is so much more! Author touched the right buttons for me with this book and I enjoyed reading it immensely. Moreover, I loved how strong majority of women in this novel were while maintaining their kindness and selflessness (yes, it is possible to come out as a strong person without being selfish). It was very inspiring.
Narration – 4 STARS
It was very interesting to see it all through the eyes of teenager. Most of the stories about PTSD caused by war that I read were either from wife’s or husband’s POV. Reading it via their teenage daughter’s perspective gave the topic whole new meaning. I really liked Leni’s voice. I connected with her very quickly and enjoyed reading about the way she navigated her life through wild Alaskan nature as well as through toxic dysfunctional family life.
Storytelling – 1 STAR
Even though writing itself was high-level, I had a problem with pacing. In the first 75% story developed gradually but afterwards, it felt like author didn’t make use of all the potential that setting and storyline provided and rushed things without paying enough attention to important stuff and turned the story into over-the-top drama instead. So even though it pains me to admit, I lost my investment in the story in the last couple of chapters. They had completely different feel and disrupted the flow of the story for me. Simply said, ending was a storytelling mess.
Overall, The Great Alone was a good read that helped me to break out of a reading slump. Recommended!
The Great Alone is rough story of survival. Not only survival in beautiful but hard Alaska, but also a survival of family in dark crises. It is very strong story with rollercoaster of emotions that made me read long into the night hours. I appreciate the fact that in its essence this is a coming-of-age story yet I would never classify it as NA novel because it is so much more! Author touched the right buttons for me with this book and I enjoyed reading it immensely. Moreover, I loved how strong majority of women in this novel were while maintaining their kindness and selflessness (yes, it is possible to come out as a strong person without being selfish). It was very inspiring.
Narration – 4 STARS
It was very interesting to see it all through the eyes of teenager. Most of the stories about PTSD caused by war that I read were either from wife’s or husband’s POV. Reading it via their teenage daughter’s perspective gave the topic whole new meaning. I really liked Leni’s voice. I connected with her very quickly and enjoyed reading about the way she navigated her life through wild Alaskan nature as well as through toxic dysfunctional family life.
Storytelling – 1 STAR
Even though writing itself was high-level, I had a problem with pacing. In the first 75% story developed gradually but afterwards, it felt like author didn’t make use of all the potential that setting and storyline provided and rushed things without paying enough attention to important stuff and turned the story into over-the-top drama instead. So even though it pains me to admit, I lost my investment in the story in the last couple of chapters. They had completely different feel and disrupted the flow of the story for me. Simply said, ending was a storytelling mess.
Overall, The Great Alone was a good read that helped me to break out of a reading slump. Recommended!
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Reading Progress
February 22, 2018
– Shelved
February 22, 2018
– Shelved as:
to-read
February 22, 2018
– Shelved as:
historical
February 23, 2018
–
Started Reading
February 23, 2018
–
1.0%
"Please, please be a good one. Lately, I have had a series of bad books (mostly 1 or 2 stars reads) and I desperately need a winner!"
February 28, 2018
–
60.0%
"This book is so good, I love being in Leni's head! If only real life would't interrupt my reading time...
"
"
March 2, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-6 of 6 (6 new)
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message 1:
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Karla
(new)
Mar 02, 2018 12:18PM
Excellent review, Lucia! xx
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Karla wrote: "Excellent review, Lucia! xx"Thank you, Karla :)
I felt similarly! Great story that hooked me, but the execution was a little disastrous.
Amanda wrote: "I felt similarly! Great story that hooked me, but the execution was a little disastrous."Exactly, I was sorry to see all the missed potential towards the end :/
Great review, Lucia! Too much, too much, lol near the end of book.
Kristine wrote: "Great review, Lucia! Too much, too much, lol near the end of book."Thanks! It could have been such a great story if not for the over-the-top last pasrt of the book, right?
