Mike Finkel is the author of True Story, about a killer who stole Mike’s identity. His second book The Stranger in the Woods is about a hermit in Maine who didn’t talk to anyone for decades. And The Art Thief, about history’s greatest art thief. We talk about:
Why are we, as a culture, so drawn to true crime?
I ask Mike why women are attracted to criminals. He gives an impressive answer.
What’s better: soaking in a bath tub or sitting on a toilet to avoid family?
Mike’s early influences: I Robot, Ray Bradbury, Arthur Clarke, and The Catcher in the Rye.
Mike’s stylistic principles: make it read as if you “dashed it out”; eliminate show-offy words; apply the “bar room test.”
Ken tries out some of his psychotherapy skills on Mike.
Mike gives me advice on how to make a connection with criminals.
Is there going to be a The Stranger in the Woods movie? And who should play Christopher Knight? (I make the case for Eric Lange from Escape from Dannemora.)
On how ending a book with an ellipsis is okay.
Ken gives the North Pond Hermit an open invitation to come on the podcast.
What kind of kleptomaniac would you be? Mike:
If Mike was incarcerated, would he ever let someone else write his story?
Ken shares his jail fantasies (not what you think).
Mike expresses admiration for David Grann.
Mike recommends:
Music by Duncan Barrett, who you can follow and listen to, here and here.
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