The Great Alone Characters

Bo Harlan is the son of Earl Harlan. He is also the crew chief of Ernt’s helicopter in the Vietnam War. Bo and Ernt are captured and tortured together. Their captors make Ernt watch as they kill Bo. Bo leaves his land in Alaska to Ernt.

Tica Rhodes is Leni’s teacher in Kaneq. Tica is a kind, intelligent woman who cares deeply about her students. She regularly takes them on field trips, especially when tensions in the community are high. In addition, she is one of the people who offers to provide Leni with college funds.

Marge’s sister is never given a proper name, but Marge tells the Allbrights that she died as a result of domestic abuse. Her death sparked Marge’s move to Alaska and makes Marge especially wary of Ernt.

Lily Walker is the mother of Tom Walker. She and her husband Eckhart were among the first people to settle in Kenai, Alaska. Matthew gives Leni an article Lily wrote about her life in Alaska.

Eckhart Walker is the father of Tom Walker. He and his wife Lily were among the first people to settle in Kenai, Alaska.

Natalie Watkins lives in Kaneq. Along with Marge and Geneva, she helps the Allbrights get acquainted with Alaskan life.

Ted Schill is the husband of Thelma Schill and the father of Marybet Schill.

Marybet Schill is the daughter of Thelma and Ted Schill. She is affectionately known as Moppet.

Clyde Harlan is the son of Earl Harlan and the brother of Bo Harlan and Thelma Schill. He is married to Donna Harlan and has four children: Darryl, Dave, Agnes, and Marthe.

Donna Harlan is the wife of Clyde Harlan. Together they have four children: Darryl, Dave, Agnes, and Marthe.

Darryl Harlan is the son of Clyde and Donna. He and Dave are twins.

Dave Harlan is the son of Clyde and Donna. He and Darryl are twins.

Agnes is the daughter of Clyde and Donna Harlan.

Marthe is the daughter of Clyde and Donna Harlan.

Axle is a standoffish 16-year-old. When Leni first arrives in Kaneq, he is the only person Leni sees who is around her age. He is related to the Harlans.

Curt Ward is a by-the-book policeman. He coaxes a confession out of Leni and arrests her.

Dieter Manse is a former Pan Am pilot. During a school trip, he flies Leni’s class to a nearby inlet.

Demby Cowe is Leni’s state-appointed lawyer. He tells her to plead not guilty.

Atki is a native Alaskan and Tom Walker’s second wife.

Kenai is a child of Leni and Matthew.

Cora is a child of Leni and Matthew.

Calhoun Malvey dates Geneva Walker.

A man Leni sees who talks to a goose. Matthew tells her that the bird’s name is Matilda, and it is married to Crazy Pete.

Matilda is Crazy Pete’s goose. Matthew tells Leni that Matilda and Crazy Pete are married.

Jim is a bartender at the local saloon in Kaneq.

John is the judge at Leni’s trial.

Adrian is the prosecutor at Leni’s trial.

Darrow is Alyeska’s husband.