(3.25/5 stars)

Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison is a memoir of journey from an office job to restoring a cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

I followed along in my review copy while listening to the audiobook that I borrowed from my local library. The author narrates the book himself! I love it when memoirists read their own books. It adds more layers to the experience for me.

I think the author and I are similar in ages, because I really found myself identifying with a ton of the cultural references mentioned throughout this memoir. The millennial ennui is real. I'm also a big fan of camping and hiking; I've completed a few state's worth of the Appalachian trail!

His prose is easily consumable and pleasing to read, so he definitely has writing chops! But some of the stories didn't flow too well together, and I felt like the end happened too fast, like the story rolled down a hill and kept picking up speed. We only get a passing mention to the fact that the author is now a carpenter; I have no idea if he actually went to any sort of trade school to learn it or if he's just muddling through.

I'm not sure this is going to be a book that will stick with me. However, I absolutely want to go visit the Pacific Northwest after reading this book!

🌶️ HOT TAKE: A heartfelt, often funny memoir about finding home and redefining success. With self-deprecating humor and plenty of DIYs-gone-wrong, this book feels relatable enough to set it apart from other “quit society and live off-grid” stories.

🧶 THE SUMMARY:
Patrick, a disillusioned millennial, is burning out in corporate America, watching his dreams of homeownership in Washington slip further out of reach. But when he stumbles across an off-the-grid cabin in need of some serious TLC, he takes a leap—trading office burnout for the unpredictable highs and lows of rural DIY living.

💁🏻‍♀️ MY THOUGHTS:
🔸 This book was a little outside my usual reads, but I love a good memoir, and I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and genuinely funny this was. While there’s no shortage of “young person escapes capitalism to live in the woods” narratives, this one didn’t feel like a manifesto or a guilt trip. Instead, the author leans into the absurdity of his situation with humor and self-awareness, making it feel relatable even if you, like me, value the comforts of electricity and plumbing too much to consider life off-grid.

🔸 The pacing is on the slower side, but the storytelling is full of small, satisfying moments—especially when it comes to the inevitable DIY disasters. And while the book definitely romanticizes “escape,” I appreciated the author’s willingness to laugh at himself and acknowledge the privilege of even being able to make that choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.

DIY is not my forte in any way. The talents involved are just not in my skill set. I'm an office job sort of person. So, the basic plot of this book spoke to me.

I can't imagine buying a dilapidated cabin in the woods as a project, and learning by trial and error how to fix it up. Patrick Hutchison shares his saga of buying a cabin in the Pacific Northwest that is in pretty bad condition and how that project changes his life. He has to work to afford the cabin project and often finds himself wishing he was there when he needs to be at the office.

I had a great time reading about his six year renovation project. I can't imagine jumping into a huge project like that with very little knowledge about renovation and carpentry. Kudos to Patrick for pulling it off and for persevering even when he realized he had bitten off way way more than he could chew.

This book became a national bestseller. I hope for readers' sanity that it did not motivate a bunch of people to buy old cabins with dreams of renovating them.

Very entertaining and interesting read.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison—available now.

Cabin TL;DR:
🛠️ DIY Cabin Building Chaos
🌲 Hilarious Misadventures in Nature
✍ Witty, Relatable Writing

Patrick Hutchison's Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman is a hilarious and relatable memoir about attempting to build a cabin in the woods with no prior construction experience. Hutchison’s journey is filled with missteps, laughs, and the raw reality of trying to live off the grid.

What makes Cabin stand out is Hutchison’s ability to mix humor with the grit of DIY projects. His journey is a series of comical disasters, from botched construction to struggling with the elements, but his persistence and good-natured humor make the narrative both entertaining and inspiring.

Hutchison’s writing is witty and engaging, offering readers a refreshing look at the challenges and rewards of building a cabin in the wild. His lighthearted approach to adversity makes this a perfect read for those who enjoy real-life adventures with a healthy dose of humor and heart.

I loved this story and found I could really relate to Patrick’s longing to get away. Its something I've often dreamed about doing myself. I appreciate his raw telling of his experiences and perspective throughout his journey! Even though there were hardships, I would still consider embarking on a similar adventure! Thanks for the story!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this one! I am not the best at writing reviews sometimes, but sometimes books take you by surprise and this one did just that. I got invested a few chapters in and couldn't put it done. It was so good! I highly recommend this one.

This was a fun memoir! I fully admit I have thought about running away to the woods before. Leaving the modern day behind and escaping into nature sounds like a dream! This was an interesting memoir, full of fun tales and educational bits.

If you've ever dreamed of having your own little escape from the world, out in nature and in the forest, then this book is for you!

Cabin is the author's story about the impulsive purchase of a decrepit cabin in the Pacific Northwest. Obviously in need of some serious TLC, the cabin is in need of several repairs and restoration work. The author, who has no construction or renovation experience, sets off on his first big DIY project.

This book is filled with humor and funny anecdotes and was truly enjoyable. This story will make you feel as if any DIY project is surmountable. However, there is not much of a plot per se, as it is mostly about the author's DIY journey and it does go in-depth about the descriptions of the repairs the cabin needed.

However, I loved how meaningful the cabin was to the author. It was a place where much loved was poured in, a place to escape with family and loved ones, a true home away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Read if you like...
🔧 DIY projects
🏕 Cabin escapes
😆 A good laugh
❤️ Light-hearted non-fiction

This is a memoir about a young man who is not finding satisfaction with his job and on a whim buys a very rundown off grid cabin. We follow his adventures as he upgrades the place on a very limited budget and with no previous skills to draw on. Along the way he learns more about life and what he wants out of it. Thanks to both NetGalley for the digital advance reading copy. I really enjoyed it as it was light & funny, but still a worthy read. 4/5 stars.

Patrick Hutchinson was just in his late twenties when he felt that his job was dead-end, and while his friends were moving on into full adulthood with marriages, mortgages and families, he was not sure what his next step should be. Then on a whim, he bought a run-down, tiny remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest mountains. Totally off-grid, the cabin seemed to defy gravity, still standing even though the roof leaked, nothing was square, and as Patrick would learn later, one side totally lacked a foundation. But when Patrick and his friends were at the cabin, even just for a night, life seemed better. Repairs were a challenge (even getting there was often a challenging hike on muddy trails in the dark), but Patrick and crew used ingenuity and newly obtained skills to make the 120 sq. feet cozier. For those who don't deal with dimensions, that is equal to a medium sized bedroom. Decades separate Patrick and me, but I was in my early twenties when a weekend trip to Wisconsin's northwoods planted a tiny seed (dream) in my heart that someday I would someday have a cabin there. For years, while my husband and I introduced our three kids to camping, canoeing, and fishing, we kept fueling that dream. Finally as our sixties approached, our children grown, and dozens of cabins explored, we purchased a lot on a small lake and the cabin dream became a reality. Not having building skills ourselves, we had the cabin roughed in, and then somewhat like Patrick, finished it with the help of friends, our children, and some skills we taught ourselves. So while I can't connect with Patrick's drinking round the campfire, I totally understand how even a few hours at his cabin refueled his spirit and led him to make major changes in his life. I think anyone who has dreamed of his own spot in the wild will enjoy this book

Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for letting me read this fantastic adventure book. The author Patrick Hutchison decides to buy a dilapidated cabin in the middle of the woods in the state of Washington. This adventure takes you through the process of a man who has zero skills rebuilding his cabin. I’ve always wondered about living off the grid and this book answered a lot of questions about that process. I really enjoyed this read. I will definitely be suggesting this title to my family and friends.

Patrick's job as a copy editor was sucking the life out of him. He needed something to feed his soul. It came in the form of a 10 foot by 12 foot shack in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Patrick knew the purchase might be a mistake, but it spoke to him. Despite primitive conditions and the fact he had no knowledge of or experience in building or carpentry, he lived for the weekends working on the cabin. Those weekends became his life line.

Patrick paints a picture of something more akin to a lean-to than a cabin. Barely standing, with floors that weren't level, walls that weren't plumb and a leaky ceiling, he chronicles his six year journey to bring the poor cabin back to life.

Patrick Hutchinson is honest in telling his story, not pulling any punches about his lack of experience, but very clear in his vision of what he wants the cabin to be. HIs descriptions of his efforts to affect repairs are often humorous, sometimes worrisome. As time passes, he discovers the difference between that work he can learn to do on his own (Youtube was his friend), and those things he needed an expert to complete. When he pulled in the experts, he paid attention, asking questions and learning from them as they worked.

He explains in plain language how the cabin became a part of him, how it gave him purpose. The mountains and the cabin became his sanctuary. Even unfinished, the cabin became his weekend home, a place not only for him, but a place his friends came to enjoy as well. He was able to take a run down, barely standing shack and create what he imagined it could be.

As someone who has a tote bag of unfinished needlework projects, I admire Patrick Hutchinson's desire, his devotion and his passion. Reading his story was inspiring. Maybe I'll even dig out one of those projects and make it my goal for the new year.

I read this while doing a very questionable job of remodeling my own home in the country. I felt kinship in the wild self confidence of the author as he tackles a rustic cabin in the woods outside of Seattle Washington. I felt the draw of those of us with the resources, and the support networks, and the audacity to try this type of thing. Hutchinson does not hold back as he flails his way through his cabin adventure. Introducing the reader to a number of quirky friends and neighbors all with their own middling skills, questionable choices and desire to leave the crowds of the city behind.

This was a fun read for anyone looking to dive into their own renovations projects, a good reminder that sometimes our labor works out and sometimes they don’t but when you work on your home you always learn something.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this title.

I really related to this book as a slightly younger millennial who wants to do nothing more than run away from society and the cultural norms of modern living.

The hijinks, the lessons, and the true relatability of the authors story rang true throughout, and I appreciated his outlook on life.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started this book. The author held a monotonous office job while in his twenties when he impulsively decided to buy a decrepit cabin in the mountains of Washington. This book describes how he went about turning the cabin into a loved retreat for him and his friends. Most surprising, it is really funny at times. Laugh out loud funny. This is my las book for 2024 and a perfect way to end the year. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

While I can empathize with the author's not feeling adult enough or adult in the right way, I found this a bit too self-indulgent to be enjoyable.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In "CABIN: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman," Patrick Hutchison takes readers on a heartfelt, humorous, and often humbling journey into the wilds of self-sufficiency. This memoir is a breath of fresh air, blending the rugged challenges of off-grid living with the poignant reflections of a novice craftsman discovering his true capabilities.

Hutchison's narrative is driven by his earnest, often self-deprecating voice that is as endearing as it is relatable.
As he embarks on the seemingly impossible task of building a cabin with minimal skills and a lot of enthusiasm, readers are treated to a series of misadventures that are entertaining and enlightening. The author’s willingness to share his blunders and learning curves adds an authentic touch that is comforting as well as inspiring.

The setting of the book—a remote location far from the conveniences of modern life—serves as a character in its own right, presenting the breathtaking beauty and the relentless challenges of nature. Hutchison’s vivid descriptions of the landscape and his encounters with the elements make the reader feel as though they are right there, braving the cold or basking in the serene wilderness alongside him.

Character development in "CABIN" extends beyond Hutchison himself. The various individuals he meets along the way, from seasoned woodsmen to curious neighbors, add richness to the narrative. Their interactions provide a tapestry of community and resilience, highlighting the human connections that sustain us, even in the most isolated environments.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its exploration of what it means to truly disconnect and find oneself. Hutchison’s journey is as much about inner discovery as it is about physical endurance. His reflections on solitude, self-reliance, and the simple joys found in hard work and nature are thought-provoking and deeply resonant.

While the memoir is filled with practical insights and tips for aspiring off-grid enthusiasts, its appeal extends beyond those with a penchant for wilderness adventures. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt out of their depth or yearned for a simpler, more grounded way of life. The humor and humility with which Hutchison recounts his experiences make "CABIN" a universally appealing read.

"CABIN: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman" is a compelling and heartwarming tale of perseverance, growth, and the unexpected joys of embracing the unknown.

Hutchison’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a celebration of the beauty found in our triumphs and our stumbles.

Whether you’re an armchair adventurer or a seasoned outdoorsman, this book offers valuable lessons and an enjoyable escape into the world of off-grid living.

As a fellow millennial, I connect to the author’s need to be something a bit more than corporate America can offer. Grasping at the odd chance that doing the unconventional becomes the adventure of a lifetime. This memoir follows the adventures of Patrick attempting to navigate wilderness with a few power tools and curiosity. I did struggle with the DIY struggle as the daughter of a home builder and this likely impacted my rating. I can’t help that I know what I know.

That being said, tandem reading the book with the audiobook helped to paint the picture much better. The audiobook has snippets of nature sounds that create an atmosphere. The story is narrated by the author allowing his personality to shine. He is also easily understood at faster speeds.

A very pleasant read about a man and his cabin and the things he learned along the way. Highly recommended.

It was definitely the synopsis of this book that peaked my interest. When I started reading it, it wasn't what I expected but it definitely felt right. 

It's hard to describe what this book is about but all-in-all I would say it consists of the misadventures of a guy and some friends who find solace in fixing up a derelict cabin in a precarious location where you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next. And sometimes, nothing happens and that is even better.

I loved everything these guys got into, all the life puzzles that came up and how this characteristic cabin shaped years of their lives and their futures. 

This book pays homage to the DIYs around the world that we all try to do or one day, hope to.