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A review by cookehcrumbla
Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber by Jamie Gehring
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
If you are looking for a book strictly about Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, this is not the book for you. As much as this is about him, this is not his story. This is an autobiography of his neighbor, Jamie Gehring, and her search to understand her neighbor "Teddy"--the man who made her handmade gifts when she was young; the man who held a nation captive for 17 years.
This is very much a story of healing and resistance. Gehring carefully and honestly walks readers through the community's interactions with Kaczynski as she revisits her once innocent childhood memories, now tainted by the knowledge of Kaczynski's doings.
The book includes passages from FBI files, court proceedings, Kaczynski's autobiography, letters, and so on. In a number of spots, I questioned why a particular personal anecdote was included, but they all wrap back to Kaczynski or the community (trust that she'll get to it because she does). While it is well organized, I found it too repetitive in places, and there were some statements made that I don't know that I necessarily buy into, but I fully acknowledge the validity of Gehring's thoughts and feelings. This is, after all, her story.
This is not an easy read. Please know that acts of terror and emotional testimonies are featured in this book. This is not a read for everyone.
This is very much a story of healing and resistance. Gehring carefully and honestly walks readers through the community's interactions with Kaczynski as she revisits her once innocent childhood memories, now tainted by the knowledge of Kaczynski's doings.
The book includes passages from FBI files, court proceedings, Kaczynski's autobiography, letters, and so on. In a number of spots, I questioned why a particular personal anecdote was included, but they all wrap back to Kaczynski or the community (trust that she'll get to it because she does). While it is well organized, I found it too repetitive in places, and there were some statements made that I don't know that I necessarily buy into, but I fully acknowledge the validity of Gehring's thoughts and feelings. This is, after all, her story.
This is not an easy read. Please know that acts of terror and emotional testimonies are featured in this book. This is not a read for everyone.