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A review by _walter_
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
2.0
It's hard for me to review this one cause, if you'd have stopped me at different points in the story and asked me to give you my rating, I'd have been all over the place. Now, I won't spoil anything for you but I do have strong opinions about this book, so if those will be enough to sway your own view then you'd best look elsewhere.
For the first three, maybe four chapters I thought to myself: "ohhh, this one is going to be good, five stars for sure..". Yes it opens strong, the narrative style grabs you and keeps you interested in what comes next.
Then by the time we're half-way and we learn more about the hermit and his motives for abandoning society and all its trappings, I was more inclined to give it two stars. I couldn't imagine how the rest of the book would fare now that the punch had been delivered. It was a weak punch if we can call it that.
As we pass the three-quarters mark, I would have told you that the writer managed to rescue the story and I'd have told you that four-stars would have not been too generous. The conversations between the writer/reporter and the hermit turn a bit more philosophical and things begin to take shape. Finally.
But then, the ending comes and I am left a bit infuriated as to how the whole thing was handled by the writer.
Here's a poor soul, a recluse who chose extreme hardship in order to avoid human contact and participation in society in order to find peace with himself. So, after he is captured what does the writer do? He turns into a needy, tactless, relentless, inconsideratetwat literary paparazzo that won't leave the guy or his family alone for the sake of completing his story. Even mormons, Tupperware salesmen, Jehova's Witnesses, and telemarketers would have been like, "by Moroni, dude, chill already!"
I will grant him that the book is very well written, and a fast read. Also, at least he was transparent enough to discuss his transgressions and to own up to them to some degree.
I'd be inclined to recommend this to someone stuck at an airport in search of a light read, or to someone with well-adjusted expectations. You won't find compelling back stories nor earth-shattering truths here.
For the first three, maybe four chapters I thought to myself: "ohhh, this one is going to be good, five stars for sure..". Yes it opens strong, the narrative style grabs you and keeps you interested in what comes next.
Then by the time we're half-way and we learn more about the hermit and his motives for abandoning society and all its trappings, I was more inclined to give it two stars. I couldn't imagine how the rest of the book would fare now that the punch had been delivered. It was a weak punch if we can call it that.
As we pass the three-quarters mark, I would have told you that the writer managed to rescue the story and I'd have told you that four-stars would have not been too generous. The conversations between the writer/reporter and the hermit turn a bit more philosophical and things begin to take shape. Finally.
But then, the ending comes and I am left a bit infuriated as to how the whole thing was handled by the writer.
Here's a poor soul, a recluse who chose extreme hardship in order to avoid human contact and participation in society in order to find peace with himself. So, after he is captured what does the writer do? He turns into a needy, tactless, relentless, inconsiderate
I will grant him that the book is very well written, and a fast read. Also, at least he was transparent enough to discuss his transgressions and to own up to them to some degree.
I'd be inclined to recommend this to someone stuck at an airport in search of a light read, or to someone with well-adjusted expectations. You won't find compelling back stories nor earth-shattering truths here.