The Accidental Hermit [Paperback]

Noel Murchie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

An amusing account of a 50-something woman living alone for a year in a rural cabin on a Puget Sound island. During her adventure she finds out more than she bargained for about pesky raccoons, wacky plumbing, foot infections, capricious weather, the effects of loneliness...and knowing herself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A crack up. I couldn't put it down. Perfect bedtime reading." -- Mike M.,financial planner, Hawaii

"An entertaining read is an extreme understatement...more like a hook and a hilarious joy." -- Peggy H., artist, Arkansas

"I feel like dropping this book into every shrinks' lap so they'll know what life is really about." -- Allison H., interior designer, Hawaii

"Tears were running down my face, and I skipped my morning office meeting because I couldn't put this book down." -- Sally C., realtor, New Jersey

Murchie has written a funny book that should appeal to anyone who is fed up with the complicated, stressful lifestyle... -- Northwest Runner, November, 2000

Noel Murchie has made a very funny book about surviving one year of living by herself on a small island. -- Islands' Sounder, November 15,2000

About the Author

Noel Murchie is the niece of the late Guy Murchie, whose best selling books were selected by the Book of the Month Club and were included in many university philosophy courses.

Noel has published in Redbook Magazine, Runner, Womens' Sports of Fitness, and Physicians' Sportslife. She was a regular columnist for the Honolulu Advertiser, Northwest Runner, and the Maui News.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Nine Toes Press (February 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0970480709
• ISBN-13: 978-0970480705
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,011,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written with wit, candor and self-revelation, May 23, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Accidental Hermit (Paperback)

The Accidental Hermit is the engaging, true story of how Noel Murchie, while in her middle fifties and with little advanced planning, moved herself to an island off the coast of Washington State. There she found a host of problems and circumstances she had never expected, including pesky raccoons, wacky plumbing, foot infections, do-it-yourself medical treatments, capricious weather, the effects of loneliness, and the simple beauties of a quiet life. Written with great good humor and a genuine knack for storytelling, Noel Murchie writes with wit, candor and self-revelation that will engage the reader's interest from first page to last. Before taking off for your own version of some Walden's Pond, give a careful and entertaining reading to Noel Murchie's The Accidental Hermit.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Happy Accident, February 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Accidental Hermit (Paperback)

You say life hasn't turned out like you wanted. You're looking for another road. Read about what another woman did. It may not make you move to the San Juans but it could make you move somewhere.

Noel lives on the next island over from me and I knew her book was coming out. When it arrived I took it down to the local bar to show it to some friends. Someone started reading it aloud. For two hours the place was full of laugher and shouts of recognition. This may not be great literature but she sure knows about life in the San Juan Islands; or any other isolated rural community in America. And she describes it well. (My favorite character was a very drug free young lady who joined a narcotics support group because they seemed to have fun at their meetings.)

Noel's move from Hawaii to a shack in the damp, green forest of Puget Sound was not a life choice many would make. Being in her middle 50's, single, and somewhat burned by life made her decision even less likely. But she made it work and wrote about it in a very entertaining way.

PS Our local book club is doing this book soon. I think I'll drop in. It should be a riot.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master Wordsmith Inspires Both Chuckles and Groans, July 25, 2001

By 

Tasha Halpert (Grafton, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Accidental Hermit (Paperback)

I took my time reading The Accidental Hermit, because it is a book to savor rather than devour. The lovingly crafted humor springs from real life experience. Wonderfully, the author is not afraid to show her seamy side as well as her pretty one. The honesty expressed in this book makes it poignant as well as funny. I particularly enjoyed her characters and their delineations, and I found myself hoping to hear more of what happened to them once the spotlight was no longer on them. Many times my husband came into the bedroom because he heard me cackling wildly to myself. He'd want to know what was funny and I'd wind up reading it to him too. Her flair for descripton helps create unforgettable images that reflect her artistry with words. Good humor is a rare commodity; Noel Murchie has gifted us with a prize winning example.