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Reviews
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
kerinl's review
5.0
Beautifully written story of the Christopher Knight. Easy to read and an incredible account of a man who left civilization at the age of 21 year and survived the Maine woods before finally being caught.
missfortune99's review
4.0
No matter your opinions on nonfiction, on hermits, or any other criteria, I think it's vitally important that everyone reads this book. It's a fascinating examination of what it takes to achieve true calm in one's life, and highlights just how different that standard is per person.
Finkel spends the first half or so of this book creating a vivid image of Knight from and outside perspective- that being societies' perspective of hermits in general, of the North Woods Hermit, and of Finkel's view of Chris Knight. It fills you with questions about the different paths people take to "happiness", and causes a great amount of reflection. From there, you see more of Knight from his own perspective, and learn of his life from beginning to present. Some of the answers for why he did what he did are greatly unsatisfying, and that's what makes me appreciate Finkel's work so much more. It is a great mirror of life.
I like to read books on alternative paths to fufilment, and this story, if nothing else, gives me a look into minds that are greatly unlike my own. In my opinion, this is a "must read."
Finkel spends the first half or so of this book creating a vivid image of Knight from and outside perspective- that being societies' perspective of hermits in general, of the North Woods Hermit, and of Finkel's view of Chris Knight. It fills you with questions about the different paths people take to "happiness", and causes a great amount of reflection. From there, you see more of Knight from his own perspective, and learn of his life from beginning to present. Some of the answers for why he did what he did are greatly unsatisfying, and that's what makes me appreciate Finkel's work so much more. It is a great mirror of life.
I like to read books on alternative paths to fufilment, and this story, if nothing else, gives me a look into minds that are greatly unlike my own. In my opinion, this is a "must read."
jerr13's review
3.0
I want to actually rate this 3.5 stars-This is indeed a biography about the Hermit of North Pond. His name, Christopher Knight, a man that chose to walk away from society for absolutely no reason other than to be content. As Finkel takes you on this journey trying to know and understand Chris the constant question is: Can you actually know or understand this man? Maybe, maybe not. However, Finkel writes this biography about Knight with such care and precise writing decisions it is quiet a beautiful story. It did become somewhat repetitive in the middle of the book but push through that, and it once again captures Knight and his own story with such beauty. I could imagine myself in those woods, in that weather, for all those seasons, and almost nearly seeing things as Knight did for those 27 years away from conventional society. I'm glad I picked up this book and gave it a go because it opened my mind up to not letting my brain get too busy, or encumbered by noise and constant stimulation.
jordan54benson's review
4.0
A very interesting and quick read. I loved that it was a nonfiction written like a fiction. Very entertaining.