The novel “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah is set in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1970s. It follows Leni, a young girl whose family moves to Alaska after her father, a Vietnam veteran, decides a fresh start will fix their troubles.
The beauty of Alaska contrasts with the challenges they face, including isolation and her father’s volatile behavior. As winter sets in, the family begins to unravel in the harsh and unforgiving environment.
“Julie of the Wolves” by Jean Craighead George follows a young girl named Miyax, who is also called Julie, as she survives in the Alaskan wilderness. After running away from an arranged marriage, she learns to live among a pack of wolves.
Using her knowledge of nature and forming a bond with the animals, she navigates the harsh landscape while figuring out where she truly belongs.
Jack London wrote “White Fang,” a story about a wolf-dog navigating the harsh wilderness of Alaska and the world of humans. The tale follows White Fang’s journey from the brutal wild to his complicated interactions with people, including moments of cruelty and kindness.
It’s a raw look at survival, loyalty, and the bond between human and animal, set against the backdrop of the rugged northern frontier.
“Dogsong” by Gary Paulsen follows a young Inuit boy named Russel who feels disconnected from his modern life. He turns to an elder in his village for guidance and learns the traditional ways of his ancestors.
Russel goes on a journey across the Alaskan wilderness with a dog team, facing harsh conditions and discovering a deeper connection to his culture and identity.
The “Ivory Carver Trilogy” by Sue Harrison takes readers to ancient Alaska, where the lives of Native peoples unfold in the harsh Arctic landscape.
The story centers on a young woman named Chagak, who survives after a brutal attack on her village and must navigate loss, survival, and love.
Through her journey, the books explore themes of resilience, community, and the relationship between people and nature in a time long before modern civilization reached the region.
Jean Craighead George wrote “Julie’s Wolf Pack,” a novel that follows the lives of a wolf pack in the Alaskan wilderness. The story shifts focus away from Julie, who was central in earlier books, to the wolves themselves.
It provides a close look at the dynamics within the pack, their survival challenges, and their relationships with the environment and other animals.
You get to see the world through the eyes of the wolves, including Kapu, the leader, as they navigate harsh conditions and shifting landscapes.
Eowyn Ivey wrote “The Snow Child,” a story about a couple, Jack and Mabel, who are struggling to build a life in 1920s Alaska. One evening, they make a child out of snow, and the next day, a mysterious girl named Faina appears in the woods.
She seems connected to the wilderness in a way that feels almost magical, and her presence changes everything for the couple. The harsh yet beautiful Alaskan landscape shapes the story, influencing the characters and their lives in unexpected ways.
The book “Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend Of Betrayal, Courage And Survival” by Velma Wallis tells the story of two elderly women abandoned by their tribe during a harsh winter.
Left to face the freezing wilderness alone, they draw on skills and memories from their past to survive. The narrative explores their journey of resilience as they hunt, build shelter, and reclaim their strength, all while confronting feelings of anger and betrayal.
This tale is inspired by an Athabaskan legend, bringing to life a powerful story of endurance and determination.
The book “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union” by Michael Chabon is set in an alternate version of Alaska, where Jewish refugees were settled after World War II.
The story follows Meyer Landsman, a down-and-out detective in the fictional district of Sitka, as he investigates the murder of a man in his run-down hotel.
This case leads him into a web of secrets involving crime, politics, and religious prophecy in a world that’s both strange and familiar.
James A. Michener’s “Alaska” is a sweeping story that explores the history and people of the region over thousands of years.
The book begins with prehistoric migrations and moves through the lives of native tribes, Russian settlers, and American pioneers who shaped Alaska’s identity. From the fur trade to the gold rush, it captures the rugged landscape and the struggles of survival in an untamed land.
Dave Eggers wrote “Heroes of the Frontier,” a story about Josie, a dentist from Ohio, who takes her two kids on an unpredictable journey through Alaska. Escaping from her troubled past, she rents a beat-up RV and navigates the wild terrain.
Along the way, they meet quirky locals, face natural dangers, and search for a sense of freedom and belonging in the harsh wilderness.
“The Spoilers” by Rex Beach is a dramatic tale of ambition and betrayal set during the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska. It follows Roy Glenister, a gold miner who fights to reclaim his mine after corrupt officials and a crooked judge attempt to take it from him.
The story is packed with tension, featuring intense confrontations and a memorable courtroom showdown. Alaska’s rugged landscape forms the backdrop, adding to the raw and untamed atmosphere of the novel.
“Child of the Wolves” by Elizabeth Hall tells the story of Granite, a Siberian husky who escapes from his owners in Alaska and joins a wolf pack. The novel follows his journey as he learns to survive in the wild and adapt to the wolves’ ways.
Granite faces challenges that test his instincts and loyalty while he finds his place in the untamed wilderness.
“Drop City” by T.C. Boyle tells the story of a 1970s hippie commune in California that decides to relocate to the wilderness of Alaska.
The group, used to a carefree and countercultural lifestyle, struggles with the harsh realities of survival in the remote and unforgiving landscape.
The novel follows their interactions with local homesteaders and explores the clash between their idealism and the challenges of living in isolation. It’s a blend of utopian dreams and the stark truths of nature.
Stoney Compton wrote “Russian Amerika,” an alternate history novel where Alaska remains under Russian rule. The story follows Grisha, an Alaska Native and Russian soldier, as he turns against the empire that controls his homeland.
Set in a harsh and snowy landscape, it features rebellion, survival, and cultural tension. The clash between Native traditions and Russian authority adds depth to the tale, creating a vivid backdrop for Grisha’s fight for freedom.
The novel “Terminal Freeze” by Lincoln Child takes place in a remote Alaskan research facility. A team of scientists discovers a mysterious creature frozen in ice, buried deep in a glacier.
When the creature thaws, strange and deadly events unfold, creating an atmosphere of fear and survival in the unforgiving Arctic wilderness.
Alistair MacLean’s “Athabasca” is a thriller set against the harsh landscapes of Alaska and Canada. The story follows two oilfield investigators, Jim Brady and Dr. Dermott, who are called in to investigate a series of sabotage acts on pipelines and oil facilities.
As they dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving industrial espionage and hired killers. The freezing wilderness and the remote setting amplify the tension, making the high-stakes mission even more intense.
“The Mystery at Devil’s Paw” by Franklin W. Dixon follows the Hardy Boys as they travel to Alaska. They uncover a strange plot involving stolen artifacts, coded messages, and a mysterious cliff called Devil’s Paw.
Along the way, they face harsh wilderness, dangerous traps, and puzzling clues that lead them closer to the truth. The Alaskan setting plays a big role, with its rugged landscapes and remote locations adding tension to the adventure.