Robyn Davidson once described Unfinished Woman as an “infinite book”. “I feel absolutely that I have to write it and absolutely that I can’t write it.” 

Twenty-five years in the making, this unforgettable memoir charts her expeditions since crossing the Gibson Desert with camels –  the subject of her debut, Tracks, which her then-landlord, Doris Lessing, presciently declared “a classic”. 

Robyn’s exploits include having a “volcanic” love affair with Salman Rushdie in London, migrating with nomads in Tibet and marrying an Indian prince in the Himalayas. She finally returns to the long-avoided country of her childhood and her mother’s tragic suicide. 

Explore her remarkable life, in conversation with Michaela Kalowski.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Robyn Davidson once described Unfinished Woman as an &ldquo;infinite book&rdquo;. &ldquo;I feel absolutely that I have to write it and absolutely that I can&rsquo;t write it.&rdquo; Twenty-five years in the making, this unforgettable memoir charts her expeditions since crossing the Gibson Desert with camels &ndash;  the subject of her debut, Tracks, which her then-landlord, Doris Lessing, presciently declared &ldquo;a classic&rdquo;. Robyn&rsquo;s exploits include having a &ldquo;volcanic&rdquo; love affair with Salman Rushdie in London, migrating with nomads in Tibet and marrying an Indian prince in the Himalayas. She finally returns to the long-avoided country of her childhood and her mother&rsquo;s tragic suicide. Explore her remarkable life, in conversation with Michaela Kalowski.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

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