An Olive Grove at the Edge of the World by Jared Gulian is a joyful book recounting the early years of two American city boys taking on their slice of rural New Zealand.

I listened to the audiobook on Spotify, narrated by the author himself. He has a soothing voice and is a real storyteller, stacking his tale with hilarious anecdotes. His ability to dramatise a drive over a hill, unparalleled!

Julian takes his time describing activities and occurrences I’m so accustomed to that I never think twice about them. Growing up in rural New Zealand myself, it was fascinating to see the world of my childhood through the eyes of an urban American, effectively reliving the experiences for the first time all over again.

Julian introduces readers to a delightful and inspiring cast of locals of both two- and four-legged varieties, and he so vividly captures the ups and downs of rural life, the delights and frustrations, the beauty and the heartbreaks.

You can pick up An Olive Grove at the Edge of the World in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. All the links are on Julian’s website – check it out!