Overview

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.

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Susan Smillie's story is told with all the invigorating energy of a crisp wind under a cloudless sky. The way she renders the world as seen from the prow of her beloved Isean is utterly beguiling. The Half Bird is a wonderful book – and one that shows vividly and fearlessly that there are many ways for an adventurous woman to live * Charlotte Higgins, Chief culture writer, The Guardian * This book is for all nature lovers, freedom lovers and anyone who dreams of escaping the daily grind. Without a big budget or much experience, Susan makes her dream happen and takes to a life at sea. We travel with her through her solo journey, experiencing the highs and lows, the fear and loneliness as well as the joy and elation of being truly free. I would recommend it anyone, sailor or not, who wants a life-affirming, moving and compelling read * Guy Grieve, author of Sea Legs: One Family’s Adventure on the Ocean * A lesson on how to live, how to heal, how to grow and how to fly * Gordan Buchanan, wildlife filmmaker * There is a rare subtlety in so much of this. Smillie finds a freedom, beauty, and joy in amongst the rolling waves and shifting tides of loss, illness, and grief. The Half Bird is an immensely enjoyable ocean adventure, but what emerges is a deeply inspiring story about the quiet strengths that reside within us all * Will Millard, author and BBC presenter *

Susan Smillie's story is told with all the invigorating energy of a crisp wind under a cloudless sky. The way she renders the world as seen from the prow of her beloved Isean is utterly beguiling. The Half Bird is a wonderful book – and one that shows vividly and fearlessly that there are many ways for an adventurous woman to live * Charlotte Higgins, Chief culture writer, The Guardian * This book is for all nature lovers, freedom lovers and anyone who dreams of escaping the daily grind. Without a big budget or much experience, Susan makes her dream happen and takes to a life at sea. We travel with her through her solo journey, experiencing the highs and lows, the fear and loneliness as well as the joy and elation of being truly free. I would recommend it anyone, sailor or not, who wants a life-affirming, moving and compelling read * Guy Grieve, author of Sea Legs: One Family’s Adventure on the Ocean * A lesson on how to live, how to heal, how to grow and how to fly * Gordan Buchanan, wildlife filmmaker *

Author Information

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.

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