Author: Michael Finkel

Ever feel like you just want to get away from society?

Disappear into the woods and be left alone, never bothered by anyone?

Would you be willing to do it for close to thirty years?

This book is the true life story of a hermit, Christopher Knight, who decided he had enough, disappeared into the woods in Maine and cut himself off completely from society. The only words he spoke in his twenty seven years of solitude was “hi” to someone who passed him by during a nature walk.

He was only found out after being caught stealing food from the local camp. However, his crime wasn’t just a one-off event. The reason for his survival was his ability to break into homes and steal what he needed… making the entire community fearful of the legendary hermit thief.

The author does a great job initially about getting into the details of Knight’s life, what led him to the woods and how he survived. He, like many others, were also intrigued by any great insights one would have after being voluntarily isolated for so long.

Readers may be disappointed as the last thing Knight wanted was to talk to anyone and he makes it known people have this expectation from him. Unfortunately, it’s not something he can deliver. He does offer some pretty solid observations about what happened to society.

The book gets awkward near the end.

Knight and his family just want to be left alone. Finkel keeps badgering him, trying to get more information, but Knight doesn’t want anything to do with him.

At that point, you really do just want the author to let the man be. For that reason, the first two-thirds are worth reading, but the last third is tough to get through.