What mattered was not caring. And the best way not to care was to surround yourself with noise and people

What mattered was not caring. And the best way not to care was to surround yourself with noise and people

In the world of Kristin Hannah's novels, the theme of not caring and surrounding oneself with noise and people is a common thread that runs through many of her stories. Hannah's characters often find themselves in situations where they are forced to confront their own emotions and vulnerabilities, and the idea of shutting out those feelings by immersing themselves in distractions becomes a coping mechanism.

One of Hannah's most popular novels, "The Nightingale," follows the lives of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. In this story, the character of Vianne struggles to cope with the horrors of war and the loss of her husband, leading her to shut herself off emotionally from those around her. She throws herself into caring for her daughter and helping others in need, but ultimately finds solace in the noise and chaos of the war-torn world around her.

Similarly, in "The Great Alone," the protagonist Leni finds herself in the remote wilderness of Alaska with her volatile father and isolated from the rest of society. As she grapples with the challenges of her new environment and her father's erratic behavior, Leni seeks refuge in the company of her neighbors and the distractions of daily life in the small community. The noise and people around her serve as a buffer against the pain and uncertainty she faces, allowing her to avoid confronting her own fears and insecurities.