Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Leah Purcell discussing her novel The Drover's Wife.

Set in 1892, The Drover’s Wife is a reimagining of the popular Henry Lawson short story. That story forms a reminiscence of Molly Johnson; Purcell’s protagonist. Molly lives in the high country with her four children while her husband is off droving. The family have a simple life; a one room house and a packed dirt floor and Molly is expecting her fifth child. As she approaches her due date though Molly is faced with extraordinary challenges as an aboriginal man, on the run from the law, appears at her door…