The Great Alone

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I recently read 'The Great Alone' by Kristen Hannah. The story  was about a dysfunctional family and the trauma of a child growing up in such a family. Strong bonds of love, mental instabilities and insecurities caused by the war and struggles to survive extreme conditions were the major themes. But I felt it was a bit too dramatic for my taste, especially  in the end. But  as always, there were takeaways from that reading too.

First one is the picturesque beauty of Alaskan wilderness; thick green forests, snow covered fields ,frozen lakes, northern lights, glaciers, green lagoons and  hills and montains. The magic of midnight sun in summer and months-long night in winter refuses to release me from the spell. I yearn to go there and drink in the pristine beauty of nature.

Second thing that affected me was the lifestyle of the people of Alaska. A state that experience very long harsh winters, the months of sunny days are spent on preparation for winter. It would have been changed a lot since, as the book was set in a period soon after The Vietnam War.

Hunting, fishing, plucking and preserving berries and vegetables; working on the houses, pens and cages to close whatever holes and gaps there were. I guess I don't mind working for 4 to 5 months and then  hibernate with books, movies and music. 

But that is too lighter a way of putting it. 

One needs great survival skills to live in such  conditions. And as the sun is not there to warm and cheer one up, one can fall into depression during the peak of winter.

I don't know whether it is the influence of the book, but this time around I am very much into the preservation activities. Usually preservation was my mother's business, my part conveniently restricted to  consumption.

Yes, I realise again and again that every book you read, every movie you watch and every music you hear leaves something in you. A footprint, a smell, a taste, a colour, a tiny fur or feather... something like a signature. New connections are added to your neural networks, your thoughts and feelings are renewed and you stand edited and modified after each book.  

Preetha Raj