What the Bird Sees in Flight: Collected Stories of a New Zealand Farming Family

Set among the rolling green hills of New Zealands verdant Waikato District this episodic collection of short stories opens a window into the life of a twentieth century dairy farming family. Nuanced and thought-provoking the accessible tales highlight the emotions disagreements and aspirations dwelling just below the surface in each member of the Hester clan.From a fishing boat surrounded by a school of whales to an unexpected kiss in a second-hand shop to an overnight manhunt in the mountains this series of poignant snapshots spans the Great Depression into mid-century depicting the relationships between Duncan and Isla and their five children Rangi Anna Joshua Ron and Wally as they navigate managing a farm as well as loss transition identity faith estrangement and legacy-building. Loosely based on the authors great-grandparents What the Bird Sees in Flight offers a creative perspective on the complexity of family relationships and the desire for belonging we all carry.---Joseph R. Goodall was born in Auckland New Zealand and spent his childhood in Florida. An engineer by trade Goodalls writing focuses on the intersection of human relationships place making and the environment. He lives in Atlanta with his wife.