The Stranger in the Woods
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The Stranger in the Woods
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Narrated by:
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John Chancer
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By:
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Michael Finkel
About this listen
In 1986, 20-year-old Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine and disappeared into the woods. He would not speak to another human being until three decades later when he was arrested for stealing food.
Christopher survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store food and water in order to avoid freezing to death in his tent during the harsh Maine winters. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothes, reading material and other provisions, taking only what he needed. In the process, he unwittingly terrified a community unable to solve the mysterious burglaries. Myths abounded amongst the locals eager to find this legendary hermit.
Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life and the challenges he faced returning to the world. The Stranger in the Woods is a riveting story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude and what makes for a good life. Above all, this is a deeply moving portrait of a man determined to live life his own way.
©2017 Michael Finkel (P)2018 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"An extraordinary story about solitude, community, identity and freedom." (Guardian)
"A meditation on solitude, wildness and survival. It is also, unexpectedly, a tribute to the joys of reading." (The Wall Street Journal)
What listeners say about The Stranger in the Woods
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- bbk
- 16-06-21
how to do nothing and feel superior about it
Both the author and his very real character come off as overblown or self important (self defensive, maybe, in the hermits case), but otherwise the book flows well. It's interesting that most of those quoted in the book seem so outraged by this guy's decision to live by himself in the woods. I think it speaks more about people's own fears when some of the people he burglarized report living in fear of him. In the end, it is an interesting account of society's need to bring all the strays back to the fold, whether they want to return or not. Maybe we as society need to accept that not everyone wants to have a career, house, family and buy the latest model phone every few months. It's really not so outrageous a thing to imagine. Should he have rather bought a fishing line and a knife at the very beginning instead of stealing frozen food every month? Probably. Other than that, good on him.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sean
- 23-04-20
Fascinating Story
Phenomenal story, very well written and read.
The hermit in the story got what he was wanting out of life. With the ruthless selfishness celebrated in sporting superstars and billionaire business owners he had exactly what he wanted. Without caving to the social pressures we all face he stepped away from so much.
I’ve listened to over 100 audiobooks from Audible and this was easily my favourite.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-10-18
Amazing story, well told
Brilliant I was torn between wanting to know more and leaving him alone.
The author covered all angles as honest as possible without over explaining.
I loved how it made me question my own thoughts on 'hermits' and life needs in general.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- booklover
- 02-05-19
Interesting life story, very annoying author
I am really fascinated by hermits and their motives, and the life story of Mr Knight is not without its contradictions, but he is thoroughly relatable to me.
What I really did not like it the author´s refusal to leave him alone after the interviews were concluded. Even interviewing him and writing the book could be seen as an overreach in itself, even though then we would not be able to hear his story.
VERY worth listening to, very philosophical and deep.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. J. Sagen
- 27-11-18
A fantastic story of a true sage.
One of the most altrisutic, and brave souls who had the courage to abandon society and walk and live completely alone embracing silence.. Remarkable. He was truly open to living in presence and peace.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. J. B. J. Reilly
- 30-09-24
Amazing Story
I'm not a huge reader but this story in audiobook format really kept me listening.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Jo Fox
- 20-08-19
Interesting subject, poorly researched
The first half of the book was OK but then I think the author ran out of material and wrote some general chapters with next to nothing in then about Mr Knight. These chapters were excruciating to read if you know anything about the subject matter. He got his facts wrong in so many places that it made me question the whether any of the first part of the book was accurate. I wouldn't recommend this book at all. I regret buying it.
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