An Olive Grove at the Edge of the World: How two American city boys built a new life in rural New Zealand / Jared Gulian

For Jared Gulian, leaving the United States and coming to tiny Wellington, New Zealand, was a big enough switch from the bright lights of big cities. So when his partner CJ decided they just had to buy a rundown olive grove in the Wairarapa Valley, it was almost too much to cope with.

First they'd have to drive over the dangerous Rimutaka ranges to get there, and Jared was terrified of heights. Then they'd have to figure out what on earth you do with 500 olive trees that hadn't been pruned for years, a geriatric rooster, warring hens, an obese kunekune pig, cast sheep, marauding cattle, and understanding your neighbors when they said "yiece" but meant "yes".

In this delightful true tale, Jared Gulian describes the first four years of their new life in the country, its disasters and small triumphs, its surprises and pleasures. But most of all he describes the warmth of the local community that welcomed them, saved them from certain peril, taught them how to cook, how to care for animals, and how to understand and love the land.

Book club questions and delicious recipes are included.

Previously published in New Zealand under the title Moon Over Martinborough, where it became a top-10 national bestseller (Nielsen BookScan NZ, June & July 2013).