Category: Livres anglais et trangers,Biographies & Memoirs,Specific Groups
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit Details
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 bestsellerIn 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.
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Reviews
Great book, quick read. Well written and entertaining. Story about a man who quit society on his own terms. A book that delicately poses questions about what it is to be a member of our society today and why (or how?) we can leave it behind. Can be read in an afternoon. Makes me want to have a conversation with Christopher J. Knight. The author does a great job of revealing the history behind why he left as is possible given the quite and stoic nature of the main character.
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