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1-Page Summary of The Stranger In The Woods
Overall Summary
The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel is a nonfiction book about a man who lived alone for 27 years in the Maine wilderness. He was first discovered when he broke into someone’s cabin and stole supplies. The author learned about him through interviews, letters, and research. In this expanded version of his 2014 GQ article “The Strange & Curious Tale of the Last True Hermit,” he shares more information with readers to tell a fuller story.
In 2013, Christopher Knight was arrested for stealing from a camp facility. He had been stealing food and other items over the course of twenty years. Some people were sympathetic to him because he only stole inexpensive things from vacation homes while avoiding doing damage to them; others were scared by his actions. A game warden who was also a former Marine Sergeant used Homeland Security surveillance equipment in his spare time to help catch Knight.
The arrest of a hermit makes national news and attracts the attention of Finkel. He sees Knight as someone who has escaped the noise of modern life and wants to learn more about him. They start writing letters to each other, but Knight abruptly ends communication due to stress from his new circumstances.
The author traveled to Montana for the first of nine interviews with Knight. At first, he was reluctant to talk, but the author found ways to make him more comfortable. He spoke in a monotone voice and took his time answering questions; when he did answer them, though, it was brutally honest. His pride kept him from making eye contact or touching others.
Knight was the fifth of six children, and he grew up in a rural town. His parents taught him the value of “Yankee ingenuity” and continuous improvement. This helped Knight make equipment like rainwater collectors and flooring for his tent that would keep out water. He took an impromptu trip down the East Coast in 1986, but soon realized he preferred being alone. So he walked back to Maine, abandoned his car there, and found a good campsite by North Pond called Jarsey.
Knight knew that stealing was wrong, but he did it anyway because his other attempts to forage failed. He developed a system to break into homes when their owners weren’t there and take food and supplies for Maine’s harsh winters.
Knight isn’t the typical hermit. He doesn’t think of himself as a hermit and worries about giving hokey truisms. While he is well-read, he distrusts intellectuals and listens to right-wing talk radio. Knight is practical rather than intellectual, and he achieves harmony with nature without being religious or taking medication.
The district attorney decides to give Knight a fine and probation for the rest of his life. Knight cuts off contact with Finkel, saying that they’re not friends anymore. He goes back to Albion and is seemingly successful, but he doesn’t allow Finkel to get in touch with him. After months of trying unsuccessfully, Finkel makes an unannounced trip to see Knight’s family home. When he gets there, he discovers that Knight has been putting up a front all along; it turns out that he’s planning on killing himself over winter break.
After spending time with Knight in prison, Finkel now understands why he disappeared into the woods. Knight was unable to function well in society and preferred to be alone most of the time. Finkel realizes that his family is more important than interviewing Knight for a book. He writes letters pleading with him to reconsider but doesn’t get any response from him. After serving his sentence, however, Knight sends a letter saying that he has given up on disappearing from the world forever because it’s not possible anymore since people will always find out about what you’re doing no matter how hard you try to hide it. He says that there are still many things worth fighting for even if they’re difficult and may cause pain at times (like their relationship).
