The Stranger in the Woods

The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

De: Michael Finkel

Narrado por: Mark Bramhall

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.

A New York Times bestseller

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.

©2017 Michael Finkel (P)2017 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] fascinating account of Knight's renunciation of humanity.... Deeply compelling." ( Publishers Weekly)

Good story, occasionally makes your eyes roll

It was a pretty good story. I heard this story I a podcast and it seems like an interesting subject. The author seems to be a little too proud of himself, though. He likes to see himself in all of his subjects. it is, however, maddening to think this man was a thief for almost 30 years and some people ( including Michael Finkel) choose to ignore his crimes because they too have some fantasy of disappearing and freeing themselves from all responsibilities of life. That doesn't make you a wise old hermit, it makes you a thief and a coward. I would like to know how forgiving people would be if Christian Knight wasn't an average middle-class white guy.

Very Interesting

Not a book I would normally read, however the story was very interesting and the narration was spot on.

I now wish to get lost in the wood

a man who no longer wants to stay in such a depressed society as we live in is someone to be admired. it seems he did not want admiration or any attention for leading such an intriguing life. although the detriment to his surrounding environment from the trash he buried and him simply being human makes me sad I understand he did what he had to do in order to survive. I love the way the narrator impersonated the characters of the story and will probably listen to it again as it fades for my memory.

Fascinating

Thoroughly enjoyed this amazing story. Very well written. Reader is brutally slow. Listen at 2x easily. Slow to 1x when he is quoting Knight and I wonder if that's really how slow he talked. Really loved the book.

This Life

A great exploration of life as seen and experienced by a hermit yet felt within us. Challenging us to look and understand this life...

excellent

very interesting! kept my attention. wish the ending was different, but as non fiction..that can't be helped.

Mind blowing

A very well written account and an amazing story of how one man wanted to be completely left alone. However if you steal to live which is what he did then you're still a thief.

ok read

good job in research and interview. not exciting. but well done. masterful review of feelings thoughts.

Really about how we each deal with life

I wasn't certain how a book like this could keep me interested all the way through and in the end, I couldn't put it down. I'm sympathetic towards the man with one exception - towards the end of the story when the author talks to the people affected by him. We all need to be responsible for our own actions and thoughts but we all have deep seated fears that are instilled in us at a young age. Highly recommended book with an outstanding reading performance.

Fascinating book. My new favorite narrator too!

What made the experience of listening to The Stranger in the Woods the most enjoyable?

The whole experience of listening to this book I found enjoyable from beginning to end, although I did feel concern for the man that that the book was about at a certain point. This individual and what he did was most remarkable, and I almost could relate to it, in a strange way, though I probably would only last for a few days in the woods and all alone! I enjoyed how the author delved into the lives of other people who do similar things, by choice or by law, and how they fared, with quotes and some history, etc. I also enjoyed the description of the location in Maine, as I'm from upstate NY transplanted to California. The narration was perfect.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that I can tell people about a really good book that I'm reading, and give them a few of the interesting details.

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

His voice was warm and seasoned with just enough age. He did a slight accent right on cue and it flowed, like a good actor's might.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I would plug in my phone and listen at any opportunity. I binged and was sad when it was over. :(

Any additional comments?

Definitely recommend.