- Book Review -

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

Journalist Michael Finkel’s investigates the account of Chris Knight, arrested stealing supplies in a camp in Maine, that claimed to have been living in exile from society for the past 27 years. Drawing from interviews he had with Knight he reconstructs how at age 20 Knight just walks into the woods, never has a conversation with another person and manages to survive Maine’s harsh winters without ever lighting a fire.

Reading the account it becomes clear that Knight chose to escape society, not out of anger or tragedy but rather because he preferred to be on his own. This overwhelming need to be alone so he could be happy and content, greater than any other comfort living within society could provide him, is what makes Knight intriguing.

Does Finkel do Knight justice? He does seem to have a genuine concern to share Knight’s story from Knight’s perspective. That being said, his persistence in getting Knight to share, especially after he was released, made me uncomfortable as a reader. I finished the book reflecting on whether the book should have been written in the first place. Did it intrude into a man’s life choice with no other purpose than to tell a good story? Is this only sensationalism and voyeurism? Did Finkel step over the boundaries of journalism? I’m still sitting on the fence on this one...

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