The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Michael Finkel
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The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Michael Finkel
Many people dream of escaping modern life, but most will never act on it. This is the remarkable true story of a man who lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years, making this dream a reality--not out of anger at the world, but simply because he preferred to live on his own. In 1986, a shy and intelligent twenty-year-old named Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the forest. He would not have a conversation with another human being until nearly three decades later, when he was arrested for stealing food. Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothing, reading material, and other provisions, taking only what he needed but terrifying a community never able to solve the mysterious burglaries. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life--why did he leave? what did he learn?--as well as the challenges he has faced since returning to the world. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded.
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I have mixed feelings about this book. Finkel calls it “The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit”, but this book isn’t really that. It talks a lot about the facts of Christopher Knight’s story; how he built he shelter, how he broken into all those cabins, how he was arrested; but those facts themselves don’t make Chris Knight. We’re missing his perspective, how his upbringing affected him, how it felt to live in a society that was so unbearable to him. We’re missing all of that because Knight didn’t intend to tell his story. The fact that Knight didn’t want this story told, even if he gave the author his explicit permission, leaves a bad taste in mouth after reading this. Knight’s story is so fascinating, but this book feels a bit exploitative. Especially considering the extent to which the author inserted himself in Knight’s life without his consent, and sometimes even explicitly against his wishes. Finkel only leaves Knight alone once police involvement is threatened.
Knight’s story was interesting but so were Finkel’s many interludes on other subjects - like the great hermits throughout history, the effects of the solitude on the body and mind. I wish Finkel had focused on exploring these topics and used Knight’s story as a small part of that exploration rather than the other way around.
0This book had a strong effect on me, though I didn't really know what to expect going in. While obviously impressed with the logistics and survival skills, I think the majority of what really affected me was the discussion and thoughts regarding solitude, loneliness, and contemplation. Christopher Knight is presented by the author as having achieved some amazing and profound levels of contentment, joy, and self realization during his time in the woods. All of these are traits that I think everybody is searching for. The author also points out how noisy and complicated current society is, and to think of the last time you were truly alone. The reader is prompted to think about the longest length of time you've ever gone without interacting with another person. Upon reflection, I think perhaps my longest stretch is no longer than ~36 hours. Other than an occasional long weekend day in West Virginia or college, I feel that I've interacted with other people or at least seen another person face to face everyday.
This book inspired feelings of awe and of not quite jealousy, but something closer to envy.
This reminded me in tone and emotional flavor to both Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods and to Wild by Cheryl Strayed, though more the Reese Witherspoon movie. These both made me want to leave my life behind and head into nature, especially alone. I'm a little tempted to try, but I'm not sure how I would survive myself if I was truly alone and there wasn't any alternative.
One of the most interesting parts of this book to me was a discussion of solitary confinement: loneliness as punishment versus the seeking out of solitude and the rewards a person may find during their seclusion. I sometimes feel I have an emotionally thin skin, as Knight refers to himself, and at these times my reactions are at either end of the spectrum. I either want to disappear completely from society and people, or I feel clingy and want the touch of someone, maybe anyone, desperate for comfort.
2021: Yup. Agree with my 2018 self.
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