The Great Alone

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How is the setting of Alaska important to the book? What impressions did you have about Alaska prior to reading the book? Does the book confirm or challenge these perceptions?
• How do the women characters in The Great Alone parallel female protagonists in Kristin Hannah’s other novels?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The book opens when Leni is 13 and spans into her adulthood. Which ages of her life seem to be the most difficult? How does this compare with your own experience of aging?
• The killing of Ernt by Cora is a defining event in the novel. What was your reaction to Cora’s action? Was Cora’s action justified? Were the other choices that Cora could have made?
• Much of the conflict throughout the book comes because of both decisions characters have made in their pasts and circumstances that are beyond their control. Consider situations you have faced that are the result of either your decisions or circumstances. How did you resolve this situation? What did you learn?
• Which character did you find it most difficult to sympathize with and why? 

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