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 (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!

CW: mentions about drug use

I received a complimentary review copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All opinions contained herein are my own.

If you want to see more from me, check out my Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.