Main content

Chained Up in a Dark Room in Somalia

How an imaginary house in the sky helped Canadian reporter Amanda Lindhout survive being chained, tortured and sexually abused as a hostage in Somalia.

Amanda Lindhout is the Canadian reporter held hostage in Somalia for 15 months with her former boyfriend Nigel Brennan. She was tortured and sexually abused by her captors. She tells us about a dramatic escape attempt, how she used her imagination to survive and how she didn't recognise herself when she first looked in the mirror after being released. She has written a book about her experience called A House in the Sky.

Brazilian writer Diogo Mainardi on his unlikely bestseller devoted to his son Tito who has cerebral palsy. His book, The Fall, follows Tito's wobbly steps around the world from Venice to Rio de Janeiro.

And meet Sher Singh, one of the Indian postal service's few remaining 'dak' runners who delivers the mail on foot - through forests and mountains, in rain and snow - to reach the farthest-flung addresses.

Photo: Amanda Lindhout, Credit: Steve Carty

Available now

55 minutes

Last on

Tue 27 May 2014 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 26 May 2014 11:06GMT
  • Mon 26 May 2014 21:06GMT
  • Tue 27 May 2014 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected