Johanna Skibsrud shows the revolutionary and complacent within us in new novel, Island

In Johanna Skibsrud's new novel, Island, two characters — a career diplomat and a teenage armed rebel — seem to be on opposites sides of a revolution, but these two seemingly disparate characters have more in common than you may think. Skibsrud says they actually reflect personalities that live within most of us, including herself.

The Giller Prize-winning author joined q's Tom Power in studio to tell us more about the book, which also touches on colonialism, the weight of history and personal responsibility.

Skibsrud's new novel is called Island and it's out now. She won the Giller Prize in 2010 for her book The Sentimentalists.

Download our podcast or click 'Listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Johanna Skibsrud.

— Produced by ​Diane Eros