The Half Bird with Susan Smillie

Join Susan Smillie as she talks about her incredible story of one woman’s solo journey, from Land’s End to the shores of Greece, exploring the unexpected joy of solitude, self-discovery, and resilience

When Susan set sail from the southwest coast of England on her beloved sailboat, Isean, she was unaware this spontaneous departure would lead to a journey spanning several years and countries across the continent. Enduring both physical and navigational challenges, the other side of her story reveals a more important change – her inner journey – that took place. This wasn’t a challenge or a mid-life adventure; it was much gentler than that but much greater, too. She was seeking nothing less than an entirely different life, having left the land far behind to call the wild, unbiddable sea home. This is the story of The Half Bird, Susan's beautifully written piece of narrative non-fiction.

Susan Smillie is a former Guardian journalist, writing mainly on travel, food and the arts. She is the author of one previous book, The Last Sea Nomads, published by Guardian Shorts. She is based between Scotland, with her family, and Greece, where her boat, Isean, is currently moored.

The event will be chaired by Sam Wollaston.

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