#10 in Nature & environment
The stranger in the woods
- 225
- Pages
- about 4 h
- Reading time
- NYT bestseller · 4 weeks on the list, peaked at #9
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About the book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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 meditation on solitude, wildness and survival.” —The Wall Street Journal 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.
Where the score comes from
The sources average 7.7 across 156 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 46% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Nature & environment average of 8.1. That is how 7.9 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | 7.7 | 156 | 100% |
Frequently asked
What is The stranger in the woods rated?
7.9 out of 10, from 156 reader ratings across 1 independent sources.
Is The stranger in the woods worth reading?
Readers give it 7.9/10 from 156 ratings in open sources.
How long does it take to read The stranger in the woods?
About 4 hours at an average reading pace — 225 pages.
Where does The stranger in the woods rank?
#10 in Nature & environment on the current snapshot.
Was The stranger in the woods a bestseller?
Yes — 4 weeks on the New York Times list, peaking at #9. Sales are shown here but never scored.
How long is The stranger in the woods?
It has 225 pages — shorter than 100% of the ranked books in Nature & environment.
If you liked this
Same shelf — Nature & environment — with scores between 7.8 and 8.1, closest to this book.
