Richard Cooke

In the newest contribution to the Writers on Writers book series, author and The Monthly Contributing Editor Richard Cooke turns his attention to the seminal Australian travel writer Robyn Davidson. Robyn’s bestselling Tracks recounted her solo walk from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean in 1977 at the age of 27, and was later adapted into a film. Speaking with the ABC’s Michaela Kalowski, Richard reflects on Robyn’s remarkable life, her relationship with place and freedom, and her singular presence in Australian letters.

This recording is available on all major podcast platforms.

Richard C​​ooke (Australian)

Richard Cooke is the author of On Robyn Davidson and Tired of Winning. He is The Monthly's Contributing Editor and US Correspondent, and his work has appeared in the The New York Times, The Paris Review, The New Republic, The Guardian, Best Australian Essays, The Best of Longform and Australian Foreign Affairs. He is a former Mumbrella Publish Awards Columnist of the Year.

Michaela Kalowski (Australian)

Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer and facilitator for writers and ideas festivals. She's interviewed writers and thinkers from the worlds of arts, science and politics. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, Trent Dalton, Amos Oz, Tom Keneally, Robyn Davidson, Michael Connelly, Holly Ringland, Anthony Horowitz, Turia Pitt, Henry Marsh, Charlotte Wood and Laura Marling. She has conducted radio interviews for ABC Radio National's The Music Show and Big Ideas, for ABC Classic FM and has presented programs on ABC Radio National and Local Radio.