Book Club Questions for 'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah
After reading and loving The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, we knew we had to read her latest novel, The Great Alone, which was released last year. If you have ever been to Alaska (or are wanting to visit), the book’s detailed description of the beauty of the expansive state will make you want to book a trip ASAP. This heartbreaking, yet hopeful story covers a variety of difficult and inspiring topics (spoilers ahead!):
DISCUSSION GUIDE
If you were Cora, would you have gone along with Ernt’s plan to move the family to Alaska?
What were your feelings about Ernt’s PTSD and subsequent behaviors? Do you think things would have turned out differently if he were able to receive help?
Was Leni and Matthew’s relationship realistic? Do you think if they grew up in different circumstances, they would have ended up together?
Did you predict Cora’s final act against Ernt? Did you think that scene was going to go differently?
Why do you think Leni would return to Alaska after everything that had happened?
Would you have preferred the novel have been written from a different character’s point of view?
Do you think you would have been able to learn, adapt, and survive in the Alaskan wilderness?
Heather Slugaski is a clinical social worker living and working in North Carolina. You can follow Heather on Twitter @heatherlynnsw.