Bücher von Paul Harman

The 25-acre property in central New South Wales is Johnny Dedman's private retreat - where he goes to spend time alone, thinking, reading, immersed in nature, before returning to family, friends and his job as a driving instructor. And it's where he once watched in awe as a giant bird flew overhead. But without a photo or any other evidence to substantiate his claim, no one believes him. So when Johnny is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he resolves to prove the bird exists, even if it's the last thing he does. Hiding his illness from his wife and two sons, he gets his old Triumph motorcycle fixed and stocks up with supplies, all under the guise of taking a long overdue holiday on the property - when really he will be chasing the bird he's called Ezra.

These fifteen short stories from Paul Harman are told with humour and observational insight. Thirteen are tales of modern Australia, highlighting situations from ordinary life from before, during and after Covid lockdowns. The pages are peopled with irksome neighbours, irritating bosses, hapless fathers, cheeky sons and even a would-be superhero. But with 'The Bellevue Delmonte' and 'The belonging mind', Harman enters the realms of speculative fiction. The beach and other stories is Harman's second collection of short stories, following on from the 2021 release of It's Clifford.