The Stranger in the Woods Audiobook By Michael Finkel cover art

The Stranger in the Woods

The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

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The Stranger in the Woods

By: Michael Finkel
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
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About this listen

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
True Crime Exciting Thought-Provoking Scary Dream Wilderness Survival Stories

Editorial reviews

Editors Select, March 2017 - The literal stranger in the woods obviously fascinated author Michael Finkel, and his ode to this stranger created an immediate fascination within me. At age 20, Christopher Knight disappeared into the Maine woods and lived a life of solitude for the next 27 years. Over that time, he committed 1,000 burglaries (a necessity for survival) and spoke only once. Finkel's portrayal of Knight's time in the woods, capture, and imprisonment is haunting, heartbreaking, and utterly human. Mark Bramhall's narration served as the perfect accompaniment to the story. His lilting delivery evoked the slowed-down life of a hermit, and his characterization of Knight captured the gravelly tone and halted nature of speech that one would expect from someone who has uttered only a single syllable in 27 years. I listened to this in a single day - it's simply an amazing story. Katie, Audible Editor

Critic reviews

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

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What listeners say about The Stranger in the Woods

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A one-sitting listen

I had this on my wish list but until I heard the author interviewed on the Book Cougars podcast, I was on the fence about whether to listen to it or not. Halfway through the interview, I downloaded the book and started listening. And didn’t stop.

There are quite a few reviews for this book, so let me just say it was well-written, fascinating, absorbing. And the perfect length. Lately I’ve been finding that I want the occasional 6 hour book, instead of the long ones I usually crave. There’s no filler here.

Finkel puts himself in the story just enough--I enjoy books in which a journalist writes not only about the subject, but about the investigation. So while the focus is Knight, we get the bonus of learning something about the author—the how, the why, the delving into this unbelievable story. Because really, 27 years in the woods without human contact, without spending money, without even building a fire in the middle of winter in Maine?

Also, very good audio performance.

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58 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Amazing story. Very powerful trying to imagine what it really must have been like to experience what he did. Felt an strong connection and compassion for Mr Knight. Narration was excellent.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Crazy, true story about the Maine hermit

This story is fascinating. It's the true story of a man who lives alone in the Maine woods for 27 years. He steals what he needs to survive, and then he is caught, and tells his story. The hermit, Christopher Knight, is a man of few words, and the author, Finkel, does a great job getting what he can from Knight. There is lot of background material on hermits (filler stuff), because Knight's story does not have that many details. It leaves a lot of questions in my mind. That's why I am only giving this 4 stars. Nevertheless, Knight's story is so fascinating that it is worth the listen or read. I thought a lot about it afterwards. The narrator is amazing. I am so glad that I listened to this strange but true tale.

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7 people found this helpful

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Fascinating and mystical!

The man living in solitude in the woods is at once inspiring and cautionary. He sacrificed so many of the comforts that we take for granted every day so that he could enjoy the comforts that we have for so long overlooked, we no longer have regard for them. Giving up shelter and socializing for exposure, and solitude to experience nature in a way that few ever have, that is the mystical part of story. The cautionary is that high price he paid at the expense of others. Just, wow! Well worth the read or listen. The narrator sounds a bit like a computer recording; however, I came to really enjoy the portrayal of the Knight, and I got used to the C.G. sounding narration quickly.

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2 people found this helpful

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Very interesting story

I was expecting something a little different but am not disappointed. This book would have been a start to finish listen for me if I was not interrupted by an emergency. As soon as I could I went back to finish it.

I like camping but don't think it would be fun for 27 plus years. At the same time I feel sorry for Christopher because he was forced to stop his adventure. I don't think that he was entitled to steal to survive but wished there was a way that he would have been legally able to return to the woods. That's Life

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1 person found this helpful

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Surprisingly informative

Not what I expected. Detailed and enlightening. I believe that the chapters that provided explanation of personalities and behavior were the most interesting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining read

Fascinating insight into someone who just decided to walk away from society and live a life alone in the woods.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

I was completely captivated by the story of Chris Knight. I love the way the book isn't just a generic telling of his experience but also compares and contrasts different hermit experiences. Truly a fascinating and unexpectedly emotional "read".

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and Enlightening.

This is not a book everyone will enjoy but I found it fascinating. It is not romantic, action packed, suspenseful or clinically dry. It is rather, an insightful , thought provoking and touching window into the life of a man that most people would shun if they encountered him in person and yet in doing so would be cheating themselves of a slight chance of ever understanding a rare and unique individual. I commend the author for working so hard to bring this story to us. It's too bad for Mr. Knight that he was ever discovered, but I thank him for allowing his story to be told and sincerely wish that he regains his "Freedom" without further turmoil if that is what he still desires.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking story expertly performed

Honest account of an unusual life interwoven with research. Perfectly balanced writing. Makes you think about experimenting with silence and solitude.

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