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  • Published: 7 July 2022
  • ISBN: 9780241553183
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 272

The Half Bird




One woman's solo sailing odyssey - from Land's End to the shores of Greece - explores the unexpected joy of solitude

When Susan set sail from the south-west 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.

  • Published: 7 July 2022
  • ISBN: 9780241553183
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 272

About the author

Susan Smillie

Susan Smillie is a former food editor for G2 and Guardian.com, and wrote mainly on travel, food and the arts. She's 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 her boat, Isean, is currently moored.