Joe King

The Fat Bird Joe King

The Fat Bird, is a compelling short story from Joe KING, that depicts the lives of a working-class family, and how it can all fall apart when given the right set of circumstances. A story of trust, hope, despair and how relationships within the family unit are interdependent, yet independent of each other.



When Josie's failed relation leads her on a journey of overeating and tremendous weight gain, she finds solace in an unlikely friend. A Robin, she names The Fat Bird. After a one-night stand with her ex-boyfriend, she not only realises she is pregnant, but now faces the prospect of raising her child alone. Her parent's relationship is falling apart, and they too must try to come to terms with the prospect of divorce. Josie's abusive father has also been overindulging for many years, and he too faces a bleak future with his weight-gain now putting his job at risk. All three must now try to find a path in life which can bring them back from the brink of a complete family meltdown, or face a destiny only reserved for those on a path of self-destruction, and ultimately... death.

With Josie's fathers drinking spiralling out of control, and her mother ready to walk out, can they bring their lives back to place it once used to be! Or has it all gone too far?