Book Reviews – From The Pilot’s Seat – The Waters

From The Pilot’s Seat by Fletcher McKenzie

This is a collection of 23 stories from New Zealand pilots. There is a wide range of flying and life experiences from training and flying in World War II to deer recovery by helicopter, and the astonishing feat of gliding. Some of the stories are from pilots who are no longer with us, and other stories are from both fathers and their flying offspring. Crashes, near death experiences and the camaraderie that can be found among a group of like-minded people makes for interesting reading. Also interesting and sometimes amusing is the good old Kiwi ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, particularly when dealing with flying sorties into occupied Europe and frequently coming back minus valued members of the squadron, or ferrying your child on the end of a chain from a helicopter to pick up firewood. From The Pilot’s Seat is filled with stories that will enthral any flying enthusiast.

The Waters by Carl Nixon

Nixon’s newest offering is about the Waters family and various narrators give us a momentary glimpse into aspects of their lives. The father, Pat, is at times a charmer and wheeler and dealer, and at other times, an angry drunk. Eldest son Mark is a loner and a successful property developer. Younger son Davey is beautiful and elusive, while daughter Sam is happily married, but trying her best to understand her anorexic daughter. As more stories are told about the family, more aspects of their lives are opened for our viewing. And then there’s the mother who dies when the children are young and her elusive shadow taunting from the edge of their memories. At times I found the story disjointed, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I really enjoyed it. A New Zealand author, Carl Nixon also wrote the excellent Rocking Horse Road and The Tally Stick.