Why this book: My wife read it several years ago and never quit insisting that I read it. She’d gifted it to our kids.

Summary in 3 Sentences: At age 20, an  unusually intelligent, but socially introverted young man decided spontaneously and with no for-thought, decided to leave behind the civilized world and all its banality and awkward social conventions, and live alone in the woods of Maine.  And he disappeared from his friends and family and lived in the Maine woods for 27 years, with no contact with other humans, surviving by breaking into cabins and other buildings in the general area of his camp to steal food and other things he needed to survive.  Once he was finally caught, he he pleaded guilty to all counts, refused to share more, but opened up about his life, thoughts and perspectives to only one man – Michael Finkel during his trial and incarceration after being finally caught. 

My Impressions: Fascinating story – a short (190 pages) and quick to read – I finished it quickly and  could hardly put it down.  It is a story I will not soon forget and have recommended it to many others.   

In 1986 Chris Knight,  the”Stranger in the Woods,” otherwise known in Maine as the “North Pond Hermit,” disappeared from society, not telling anyone what he was doing, where he was going,  and walked into the woods, where he lived for the next 27 years. Alone. Surviving only by breaking into cabins and other facilities to steal food and necessities essential for survival only, but also books and magazines, as well as portable computer games. This is the story of what he did to survive, how he lived, his thoughts and perspectives, how in 2008 he was finally captured, forced to return to society, spent time in jail, his trial, etc.. 

In addition to the story of Chris Knight – the author briefly explores the history and motivations of hermits down through the ages in a variety of religious and cultural traditions – those who have chosen to pull away from society and live alone.  He also explores the genetic and psychological dimensions of those who have little or no need for social interaction – anomalies in our very social world.   

But Chris Knight was unusual – he did not want partial seclusion, nor did he seek it for only a finite period of time. He sought no contact with other humans whatsoever, and had no plans to return to civilized life. His motivation was not anger or revenge or to run away from some specific trauma, not spiritual enlightenment, nor was he embarking on a period of contemplation to prepare him for greater success upon returning to civilized life.  He just wanted solitude, and to be left alone. Forever.  He had been unhappy in society, alienated from the civilized world he had grown up in, but he felt very much at home in the woods.  Indeed he did feel guilt at having to steal in order to live the lifestyle he’d chosen, and so he only stole things he found essential to live – nothing of significant monetary value or for sale, and he made every effort to not damage or do other harm to the homes or facilities he robbed. In order to not be discovered, he normally only left his very well camouflaged campsite at night – and eventually became very proficient at moving quietly and stealthily through the woods, and leaving no tracks.

Law enforcement had tried and failed for decades to find and catch him, but after he was finally caught, he displayed unusual honesty about what he’d done, and contrition for the stealing and the inconvenience and fear that he had caused.  Michael Finkel was intrigued by his story and was the only person able to establish enough of a rapport with him to get him to talk.  He was the only person with whom Knight would share any thoughts or feeling   In his multiple interviews, Chris Knight proved to be not only very private and eccentric, but also unusually forthright, a man of unusual integrity, intelligence and insight. He was also very opinionated about some things – especially about the banality of modern civilized life.   He had few social skills and psychologists debated whether he was on the autism or schizophrenia spectrum, but none of those traditional labels fit. He was unique.  

While living alone, he spent his time reading books and magazines he had stolen, listening to a small radio using batteries he had stolen, or tidying up his very remote and camouflaged campsite, and during the fall, preparing for the coming winter.  But mostly he spent his time just sitting and thinking. Winters were particularly brutal, and there were times when he believed he would not survive.  Indeed, he had contemplated suicide, and actually expected, even planned to die alone in the woods. He spoke of a “relationship“ with the Lady of the Woods, which is how he described death.  He said that he had met with her, and looked forward to ultimately meeting her again.  At the end of the book, the author shared that Knight demanded that Finkel never contact him again, and leave him alone.  

This was a very interesting book about a very interesting man, how his community reacted to his stealing, the mythology that grew up around “the hermit of North Pond,” how they reacted to his ultimate capture, and then the aftermath. It is also a book about a man’s pathological, though perhaps  understandable response to the busy-ness and banality of modern culture, and about solitude as an alternative.   Chris Knight’s choice to completely withdraw was indeed extreme, eccentric and ultimately immoral, as he depended on theft and preying on others to support his choice of a lifestyle.  In order to avoid contact with or dependence on others, his decision to resort to theft did not respect the property, and rights of others in his community.   The author, many in his local community, and I had feelings of respect and admiration for Chris Knight, mixed with serious qualms and discomfort with his moral compass.  Chris Knight himself shared these same feelings. 

 I’ve recommended this book to many friends.