Hostage: A spider, starvation and solitude in the desert

While travelling through West Africa in 2018, Canadian Edith Blais and her companion Luca Tacchetto were kidnapped. They were taken to the desert in a lawless area of Mali where groups linked to al-Qaeda were known to operate. They were, initially, held together for some months. But then they were separated, and Edith found herself alone for long periods of time. As well as suffering physically with dehydration and starvation, she had to find different techniques to keep her mind strong and stay sane. A borrowed pen enabled her to write poetry, she sang songs to remind herself of her own voice, and a very special relationship with a spider helped ease her loneliness.

Edith eventually agreed to convert to Islam and was reunited with Luca. It was then they dreamt up a plan to flee their captors. Fifteen months after being kidnapped they staged a staggering escape. Edith has written a book about her time in captivity called The Weight of Sand.

Radio listeners, if you are searching for the combined podcast version of Edith's interview with Jo Fidgen - this is it!

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Katy Takatsuki

(Photo: Edith Blais. Credit: Sara Mauve Ravenelle)