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Outsider by Brett Popplewell book cover
Outsider Reading Guide

Outsider Reading Guide

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Outsider: An Old Man, a Mountain, and the Search for a Hidden Past by Brett Popplewell is the winner of the 2024 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction.

Outsider (HarperCollins Canada) is a riveting true story blending elements of adventure, endurance and self-discovery. Author Brett Popplewell embarks on a six-year journey to uncover the life of Dag Aabye, an 81-year-old marathon-running hermit living in a school bus in the British Columbia wilderness. Aabye's extraordinary life spans from Nazioccupied Norway to roles in films such as Goldfinger and recognition as the worldʼs first extreme skier. This biography explores his retreat into wilderness isolation, defying aging and societal norms. Combining joy and tragedy, Outsider challenges perceptions of human potential, resilience and belonging, capturing the spirit of a man who redefined the limits of body and mind.

Included in this guide: 

Learn more about Edna Staebler, her award and the genre of creative non-fiction.

Synopsis

Into the Wild meets Born to Run meets The Stranger in the Woods in a fascinating true story of a marathon-running hermit and a journalistʼs quest to solve the mystery at the core of the enigmatic manʼs existence. When journalist Brett Popplewell first heard about Dag Aabye, an aging former stuntman who lived alone inside a school bus on a mountain, running day and night through blizzards and heat waves, he was intrigued and bewildered. Captivated by the seemingly implausible tale of a wild super-athlete aging
more slowly than the rest of us, he was determined to meet the apocryphal white-haired man who was pushing the boundaries of the human mind and body beyond what anyone could dream was possible. What Popplewell witnessed on a secluded mountain perch led him on a six-year odyssey to uncover the true story of the 81-year-old man. Outsider takes readers on a remarkable journey from Nazi-occupied Norway to Argentina and British Columbia. The book chronicles how a child born under mysterious circumstances during World War II finds his way onto the big screen in Goldfinger, is heralded as the worldʼs first extreme skier, and is later driven into the wilderness. Both joyful and tragic, Outsider presents a bold challenge to our notions of aging, belonging and human accomplishment.

About Brett Popplewell

Brett Popplewell is a bestselling author and associate professor of journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa. He has written for Bloomberg Businessweek, Mother Jones, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Sportsnet, Maclean's and The Walrus, among other publications. A winner of multiple National Magazine Awards in Canada, his work has also appeared in The Best American Sports Writing and The Best Canadian Essays.

Discussion Questions

  1. What was your initial reaction to Outsiderʼs central character, Dag Aabye? Did you find yourself sympathizing with him, or were you skeptical of his stories? How did your impression of him change by the end of the book?
  2. The book explores themes of identity and belonging. How does Popplewell portray the idea of "outsider" in the context of the Dagʼs life? Have you ever felt like an outsider in any aspect of your life?
  3. Family plays a significant role in shaping the main characterʼs journey. How does the relationship between Dag and his family affect his sense of self? Do you feel like his family dynamics are relatable?
  4. Through Dag, Popplewell explores societal and personal perceptions of the limits of aging and time. Even if you donʼt intend to run an ultramarathon in your 70s, did Dagʼs story inspire you to try something new or push your own limits?
  5. Dag keeps a journal in which he records his ideas and personal philosophy, as well as quotations and stories he finds meaningful. Which ones stood out most to you?
  6. The protagonist grapples with feelings of isolation and social pressure. How do you think these themes are relevant today, in the age of social media and heightened public scrutiny?
  7. The mystery of Dagʼs parents and childhood are a major motivation in his life. Do you think others would have reacted the same way as he did?
  8. The book often grapples with the concept of what is considered "normal" or acceptable. How does Dagʼs struggle with fitting into societal expectations relate to your own experiences or observations?
  9. How does the narrative braiding of Dagʼs childhood with Popplewellʼs investigation of Dagʼs life contribute to the bookʼs pacing and engagement? How did you feel about the bookʼs ending?
  10. After finishing Outsider, what is one key takeaway you gained from the book? Did the story change your perspective on how society treats those who are perceived or treated as “outsiders?” Did it make you reconsider your own limits?

What the Judges Said

“This is a fascinating story of endurance, both physical and mental,” said Bruce Gillespie, an award juror and associate professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. “Popplewell shows us how Dag pushes his body to its limits from a young age while also trying to understand how and why the mystery of his parentage pushes him to such extremes and the effects of living with such doubt over the course of a lifetime. Itʼs a book thatʼs hard to put down once you start to read it and delivers a deeply satisfying conclusion.”

Further Resources

Brett Popplewell Reads “Outsider”
All in a Day, CBC Radio One (Posted September 2024)
Listen to Brett Popplewell read an excerpt from Outsider.

Author Meets Readers
Carleton University (Posted November 3, 2023)
Watch an interview with Brett Popplewell and Sarah Everts about the research behind Outsider.

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