A few pages into Epic Solitude, I had to google Katherine Keith and verify that her story was really true, as it just didn't have that ring of authenticity. Having verified that the events she describes are true, I can only say she is a remarkable, resilient and inspirational woman.
However she doesn't give her own story the treatment it deserves here.
Firstly, jumping timeframes are not problematic in themselves. However here because old diary entries have been used as the basis for the memoir, you may get a day from 1994, or from 2016 described in minute detail, but one does not inform the other and there is no sense of commentary or reflection by the author, on her younger self. In places there is detailed description of events which then go nowhere, or are just not in balance with the rest of the story. The section on the PCT for example, adds nothing, not only because it compares poorly to Cheryl Strayed's Wild, but because the heart of this memoir is in Alaska.

There are later sections of Keith's memoir which are genuinely moving but in earlier parts, she writes in a curiously flat style which doesn't bring life or colour to the events that she describes. Her rendering of dialogue in particular feels really odd and unnatural. I also suspect there is much more to her backstory as there are some noticeable holes in the narrative ( for example, her father is absent throughout all of her adult tragedies, despite claims of a close relationship. Also the adolescent Alan , her step son, disappears completely for ten years). These may both be merely poor editing, but they have the effect of making her account feel incomplete and possibly only partial in its honesty. I also really did not enjoy the detours into Buddhism and shamanism, which were rambling and sat awkwardly with the narrative.

I did enjoy reading Katharine Keith's story and she is an inspiring person. But I think another writer could have helped her to shape her memoir into something with more audience appeal.

Epic Solitude is a lot like Strayed's Wild. Katherine Keith had many personal,issues and drifted around. She hiked the Pacific Crest Trail searching for relief and redemption before moving to Alaska. She found love again, only to have most of her family torn away from her in less than two years. Still, she persevered and embarked on many adventures. I did wonder how she managed financially after the end of her second marriage with no visible means of support. It's a quick read and uplifting to readers who face their own challenges.

Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing & Netgalley for the chance to read this memoir.

I was eager to check out this book because solitude and adventure go hand in hand for me and are both things I value tremendously in life. When this book was compared to Wild by Cheryl Strayed in the blurb, I knew I had to have it. I absolutely loved reading Cheryl’s story and discovering this subgenre of memoirs through her book.

Overall, this was an incredibly interesting read and a story of a life well-lived, with much more living to do! I was surprised by the number of things Katherine had accomplished in her forty-some years and the amount of tragedy that has touched her life. She’s a true survivor!

I hate to judge someone’s honest life story in the form of star ratings, but unfortunately, it comes with the territory of being a book blogger. In many ways, I felt this story lacked the personal element I strongly desire from the memoirs I read. There was also a bit of a disjointed feel with the alternation between the past and future settings, making it difficult to sink into the author’s story. In some areas, I had to skim because the writing became philosophical rather than a true telling of events. The actual telling of experiences seemed to be glossed over and quickly mentioned, leaving me with numerous questions.

Nonetheless, I found Epic Solitude to be interesting and inspiring. It’s comparable to Wild, as Katherine did her own hiking of the Pacific Crest Trail before moving to Alaska, and her need for direction was relatable to Cheryl’s story. I also appreciated just how descriptive the author was in describing Alaska’s brutality. To many of us in the lower 48, Katherine’s experiences will seem completely foreign. I especially love learning about people who live their lives differently from the majority of society.

Pick up a copy of Epic Solitude on February 4th.

A story of love and loss and finding yourself in desperate times. At first I find the book a bit hard to read because of the jumps in time, but you get used to it. It’s a very moving story of a woman, Katherine, who’s struggles to become who she wants to be because of the trauma she is suppressing. When she finally makes it to Alaska everything seems right and she seems at peace. All that she goes through is not something you make up, but it could have been written for one of the most drama heavy tv series of our time.
You really feel for her and I admire her strength to keep going after everything.

***I received a copy through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

I respect the bravery that it must have taken to write the story and publish it into the world. However, it was hard for me to get into. While I might jump back into it from time to time, it’s not a book that I feel like I have to finish. It’s a bit too “spiritual” for me and the jumping timeline makes it really difficult to get into.
I think this book is probably one that picks up past the halfway mark, but after reading about 1/3 of it, I find myself putting it down more than picking it up.

Like a few other readers, I was not able to get into this book. I struggled to follow the timeline and story arc. I got about a quarter of the way through and had to stop and admit that I was lost. Katherine's story is so incredible and brave of her to share with us all, but I just could not complete it.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. All opnions are my own. I love me an outdoor adventure memoir and this combined with a cold Alaska setting was right up my alley. I hate being critical of a memoir but I think the only reason I couldn’t’ really get into this was because of the pacing and timeline issues. She jumps all over the place and it was hard to figure out and keep straight.

An amazing memoir about a young woman who beats the odds and so much adversity to find her way through incredible challenges and pain. I had to take some time to digest all that she went through after I was done reading it, and then all that she did to work on herself in the latter part. It’s really quite admirable, and I’m glad she had family to help at times. I just flew through this book like a person starved for text, it was so readable to me and kept pulling me along. I was hooked, and had to know what came next. It's truly a story that will make you wonder how much a person can take, yet shows you how some can keep going on in the face of harsh adversity. This is one tough lady with tons of determination. I recommend for those who like to read about people with high adrenaline lives. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Katherine Keith, and the publisher.

A great story for a fighter/survivor, as truly challenging situations rise up and characters is developed in the coping. This story is gripping, scenic, and a workout for your emotions. I was captivated and inspired. Very nicely done, very visual. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

An interesting story of a woman and her advebtures, her life, leading her to run the Iditarod race.
I especially enjoyed reading about her experiences in the race and while the other parts were good I wished it more about being in the Iditarod.

This was a beautifully written book. The style was both pragmatic and poetic. At time it was a bit too poetic and I got lost at what was going on but overall was really drawn in. I liked the timeline of going back and forth. It was refreshing to read about someone who still faces struggles and wasn't cured by wilderness but found it essential to her wellbeing. It was heartbreaking to read about what the author went through but inspiring to see how she persisted.

I could not put this one down! This is such a heartbreaking but powerful story. I expected a more practical description of a few dog sled races, but got an amazing powerful memoir of a very interesting person where tragic things happened to. The author has really seen rough times, but is a fighter and I often wondered how can one be so strong? Really inspirational. This is a book that made me think, and I love it when a story does that. Would I do those things? Or how would I react? Why does the author do the things she does? It is so inspirational even though it can be very sad at some parts. I had to get used to the time jumping in the beginning, but in the end I found it a great way to tell this story. Also I loved the pictures at the end. Definitely recommended!

A brave lady who struggles through life to achieve her dreams.
The book tells the story and life of Katherine a brave soul who dreams of a life most of us couldn’t even contemplate in Alaska.

Her travels take her across America, and finally to Alaska where people disappear and thousands go missing every year. Brutal living conditions are not for the weak hearted and team Katherine just wants the life that Alaska offers - chopping wood, hauling water to just survive.

She meets her soul mate and they struggle to build their dream home. Tragic losses happen throughout her life but still she soldiers on.

Throughout her sadness her quest to run the Iditarod trail sled dog race - the greatest and toughest race seemingly on the planet ( in my eyes) keeps her sane.
I did struggle with aspects of this book. It jumped around an awful lot and I found myself backing up a page or two. But Katherine’s strength and courage make this a heartwarming book set in one of the coldest and inhospitable places on earth one I won’t forget anytime soon. Great photos to track her epic journey through life.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy.

I really enjoy reading about the Alaskan wilderness. I felt that this was a well written book about how Kat found herself through her time in the wilderness and how it helped her overcome her mental illnesses. It really helped her face her demons and figure out who she wanted to be and where she wanted to be in life.

A beautifully written emotional read a book of sadness a book of bravery of the beauty and the loneliness of the Alaskan landscape The sorrow the author overcomes the life she builds a captivating memoir #netgalley#blackstonebooks.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of Epic Solitude.

I struggled to get through this book. The story was present and had a lot of potential, however it took me 2/3 of the way through the book to feel any depth or emotion in the writing. I felt there were a bit too many metaphors early on and the writing jumped around too much.

I give credit to the author for her determination and strength to go through all her trials and tribulations.

There is an exciting story to be written about the Iditarod. But this isn't it. I actually had read a book many years ago about a woman (Susan something or other) who had won the Iditarod 2 or 3 times and it was a very well told and absorbing account.

This book starts off in the middle of her story, on the 7th day of the race, and leaves the reader wondering what the heck happened before that and what this all means, since we have absolutely no information to tie into this account. She then delves into her relationship with her father. Huh?

I honestly couldn't read any more because it was obvious that if there was a story to be told in this book, this wasn't it and at the very least a good editor was needed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an early copy of this book.

How does someone survive such loss and still lead an inspiring and positive life? Katherine Keith suffered immeasurable loss and yet her strength to carry on and help others shines through in this memoir of a life less ordinary.

Holy wow!! Y’all need to read this book!! What a story and a life. Just a very cool journey through a life most of us will never experience.

This book touched my heart in ways that I cannot describe. A story of a young woman's struggles, and how she conquers life and it's challenges in the most inspiring ways. I am a true outdoors person, every single sentence was factual, touched my heart and pushed me to keep reading to the end without many breaks. This book made me laugh and made me cry a A true inspiration to conquer and challenge life each and every day and reach for the stars to make your dreams come true.

The only thing I would change is the constant switching back in forth between time frames, this book would be so much better if written from start to finish in the order of the life events happening..