6/3/2022 - I read this for a book club and as such, I reserve the right to change my rating after the discussion (on 6/8/2022). However, on an initial read, I just feel like this was an okay book. I don't think there was any real thesis or takeaways from this book other than knowing Michael Finkel has a deep interest in the idea of quiet, hermits, and the experience of Christopher Knight. I think Knight has an interesting experience he could give insight into if he wanted, but this book just doesn't really feel like it gives a whole lot of insight into that story as Knight didn't want to give insight. Instead, I think it speaks more to Finkel's feelings and what he found interesting to reflect on when Knight was discovered. 

So overall, a kinda interesting read. But it just didn't feel compelling to me personally. I think if I had no prior knowledge of hermits, the outdoors, or consideration for introverts or people with mental health problems... I would have found this more compelling. But as is... I felt very "eh".

6/20/2022 - After the bookclub I had to sit back and think about this book. I just absolutely cannot stand Finkel's way of going about his career and this books creation. I frankly don't think this book should exist. I think Knight should have been left alone and I think Finkel took way too much responsibility and ownership over Knights story both in his writing of it and in his ways of obtaining information. Having researched more about Finkel, he is blacklisted from my shelves ane future reading. He is not someone I trust at all and I don't care to read anything he has to say.