I've found this explanation: "The word 'backwoods' means a remote and undeveloped area."
Ĉu vi estas certa, ke "arbareco" taŭgas ĉi tie? What does backwoods mean precisely in this sentence?

Kion vi opinias pri "loĝis izole en la arbaroj" aŭ "en solecaj arbaroj"?

I can answer that:

I based the English translation on my Finnish sentence where I used the word "korpi" or "korvessaan" (in his backwoods) inflected, which is a type of swamp, but is also commonly used to refer to any remote, isolated location in forests. That was to say that Mr Shrek lived somewhere far-off, just as you said.

I was in a bit of a pickle when translating the word, so the end result might be a bit awkward, but "backwoods" described best that which I was going for in the original sentence.

Thank you for your explanation, Sanaseppo.
Maybe "korpi" could be "wilderness" or "wildland" too (?),
but I understand your motives for the choice of "backwoods".

Aparte de la "solecaj arbaroj" mi atentigas pri "sian" -> "lian". Temas pri la pordo de "li" kaj ne de la "aventuro".

Dankon pro la pensemaj komentoj de ĉiuj.

ĝis kiam ➜ ĝis / tiel longe, ĝis [?]