The Great Alone Adaptation: Everything We Know So Far

There has been a lot of interest in The Great Alone adaptation, especially after the book spent multiple weeks at number one on The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Kristin Hannah has had many well loved books that seem to never make it to the screen. The success of the ‘Firefly Lane’ adaptation on Netflix will hopefully kickstart interest and production on the other adaptations seemingly stuck in development.
 
I’m personally hanging onto any and all updates for this project as The Great Alone is one of my favorite books!
 
Don’t forget to check out the masterlist of all the EWKSF adaptation posts here on Alison in Libraryland!
 
This page was updated: 7/29/23
 

About The Book:

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown.
 
At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources. But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.
 
bookshop.org // Amazon // Audiobook
 

Current Production Status:

The movie is in the early stages of development, although after years of no updates it’s likely The Great Alone adaptation has ended up in a ‘development hell’ status.
 

The Great Alone Adaptation Timeline:

The book was first published in February 2018, and around the time of publication it was announced that Sony’s TriStar Pictures had preemptively purchased the movie rights. A few months later in June a screenwriter was named to the project.
There have been no updates to the film’s status since then.
 

Who Owns The Rights:

Sony’s TriStar Pictures purchased the film rights and is expected to lead production.
 

Who Is Attached:

Julia Cox was announced as the screenwriter in 2018.
 

Filming Locations:

This project is in the early stages of development which means there are no filming locations.
 

Estimated Release:

This project is in the early stages of development which means there is no estimated release date yet.
 

Previous mentions on AiLL:

n/a
 

Other Adaptations From This Author:

‘Firefly Lane’ was adapted into a series on Netflix. The first season is available now and it has been renewed for a second season.
‘Home Front’ and ‘The Nightingale’ have both had their film rights optioned.
 
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Happy Reading!!
~Alison

The Great Alone Adaptation: Everything We Know So Far

 
Hi there! I’m Alison in Libraryland, and I’ll be here for all your book related needs. Many of you know me as the girl with the book recommendations. Don’t be shy! Ask me! If you’re looking for a good book or movie adaptation, let me help you find it. I’ll be here for all your literary needs. This is a book blog run on an obsession for shiny new books, worn-through old classics, and all attempts at moving those stories to the screen, just like this The Great Alone adaptation!