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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