REFLECTIONS ON LIFE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE FULLY…

In March 2020 when the world stood still and we were forced to stay indoors, away from people and viruses, a good friend of mine told me about this book. I was curious to see what the fuss was about because my friend simply loved it. So I bought it, read it in a week, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I would like to recommend whole-heartedly the reading experience provided by the book THE GREAT ALONE, and here’s why.

The first thing that comes to mind after reading the book is how the author could describe in fine detail the drama of a family. Domestic violence, toxic love, the emotional struggles of a growing child are all hard to grasp, societal concepts we all know about, or maybe even have lived ourselves. The book will hold you on the edge of your seat, waiting, anticipating something sinister to happen… I swear: this is a book that easily replaces a Netflix soap opera:) The way people behave when sick and lonely is one thing, but the way their family reacts is a whole new layer that you can’t stop thinking about as you read.

Then, of course, Alaska and its harsh, natural beauty is contrasted to the human warmth and solidarity that the Alaskans display easily, authentically, and in an “oh-so-needed” way. Alaskans are tough, no-bullshit people who will kill to protect their family. More than this, the camaraderie and the friendship there is something akin to having an extended family: be it food or support, they will help you no questions asked. It makes you think how a harsh, scarce climate brings people together. I have lived when I was a child in this kind of community: neighbors who will feed your animals for you when you are gone, and relatives who know you so much, too well sometimes:) and will easily solve all your problems!

Moreover, the idea of isolation and loneliness as a common thread resonated completely in me! Being isolated in Alaska versus being at home isolated due to a pandemic: you gotta love life’s irony sometimes:) When the pandemic started, I felt stressed and lost. My kids took over the house, my job was a pool of uncertainty adding to the picture, and meeting myself was the only sane thing to do. Slow down, enjoy books, meditate, walk in the nature, enjoy simple meals, cleaning together, learning to live together:) THE GREAT ALONE showed me that it is possible to make a life far from everyone, at home alone with your family and books and meals to prepare and music to listen to. I grew the courage to be who I should be thanks to the pandemic and this book!

Finally, the book praised the never-ending, enveloping love between parents and children. As a parent myself, I shed tears while reading this book because the emotions were overwhelming and I wanted to go hug Leni so many times! Who is Leni, you ask? Well, go read the book and you will know Leni too!