Discuss "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah

Set against the breathtaking and unforgiving landscape of 1970s Alaska, this powerful novel follows the Allbright family as they chase a fresh start in the wilderness, only to discover that isolation can be both salvation and destruction. Hannah masterfully weaves themes of domestic violence, survival, and the American dream through luminous prose that captures both the beauty and brutality of frontier life. Perfect for our group's appreciation of literary fiction with substance, this Pulitzer Prize finalist explores complex moral terrain while delivering the kind of meaningful storytelling we cherish - examining how trauma, both personal and generational, shapes our choices and relationships. With our organizer experiencing Alaska firsthand this July, we'll have the unique opportunity to discuss how place becomes character, and how the myth of "starting over" in America's last frontier reveals deeper truths about freedom, family, and the price of isolation. Come prepared for rich discussion over thoughtfully crafted cocktails as we explore Hannah's unflinching yet hopeful examination of resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.