The Stranger in the Woods

The Stranger in the Woods is the fascinating true story of a man who one day simply abandoned everything from his life and began living in the Maine woods. He then went on to survive in the woods for over 25 years without any human contact, reemerging only when he was finally caught by the police after more than two decades of stealing supplies from the community near his camp. Journalist Michael Finkel was able to get the man, Christopher Knight, to open up a little about his experience, although Knight remained very averse to human contact. This story is an intriguing portrait of survival and the variations in human behavior. The narrative is written in a logical, compelling style that draws the reader through the book. At times one can forget this work is nonfiction!

In an effort to read more nonfiction this year, I gladly gave my time to this (pretty short) book about Chris Knight, possible hermit. I say possible because a great deal of the story involves looking at other hermits in history and I have to say, I was pretty okay with that.
I think Finkel knew he had an interesting story, but this must have been a bugger to write. Knight isn't exactly forthcoming or even remotely social, so much of the story is Knight through they eyes of the cabin owners, the police, the stories of other hermits, and Finkel's own investigations. I appreciated the bits about solitude and voluntary isolation.
Very interesting. Super short. I read the ebook, so I spent a fair amount of time looking up photos. I'm not sure if they are in the physical copy of the book. I also found and read the GQ article.