Being honest this is a book I probably would not have been drawn to after reading the blurb however I have read two of Chidgey's previous novels and really enjoyed them so decided to give this one a go and I am so so glad I did. What a wonderful read.

The main character of this book is Tama, a magpie. When you read it this absurd idea actually becomes quite profound, don't write this book off by its synopsis. This is a dark,, wise , intelligent , funny and magical tale. I loved this bird. I loved Marnie. I loved the vivid NZ descriptions and I found myself almost developing a love for wood chopping.
Chidgey is an incredible writer. I am astounded by how different each of her books are and the razor sharpness perspective she brings with each one.

4 - 4.5 stars.

The trouble with writing reviews of books you’ve absolutely loved is manifold - have I overhyped it? Have I used too many superlatives? Have I used enough superlatives? Have I created an expectation that can never be lived up to? Sometimes you wonder if it would be easier merely to say “just read it”, but then that wouldn’t be fair to Catherine Chidgey, who has knocked it out of the park again with The Axeman’s Carnival, first published in NZ in 2022 and published here this week, hot on the heels of her brilliant novels Pet and Remote Sympathy in the last couple of years (she also has an extensive back catalogue).

Chidgey’s books are all so different to each other but what they share is sharp writing, incisive storytelling, a strong sense of time and place snd brilliantly drawn characters.

I was dubious enough going into The Axeman’s Carnival - a literary thriller about a marriage narrated by a magpie? I need have had no concerns. This was easily one of the smartest, funniest, most compelling books I’ve read this year.

Tama (short for Tamagotchi) is a magpie rescued by Marnie as a fledging when he falls from his nest. Marnie lives with her husband Rob, a volatile, champion woodcutter and struggling sheep farmer in Central Otago, NZ.

Tama shows a talent for imitating human voices and becomes quite the little social media influencer when Marnie begins to post videos online. He bridges the human world and animal world, observing the commonalities and discrepancies, deciphering how to survive in a world where violence can be meted out indiscriminately.

As the town’s annual Axeman’s Carnival approaches, tensions mount between the couple and Tama acts as a foil to Marnie’s husband, but does he have what it takes to protect Marnie?

In a story that is perfectly paced, profound, clever and hilarious at times, The Axeman’s Carnival is that rare beast - a book I can find no fault with. I loved it. 5/5 ⭐️

*The Axeman’s Carnival will be published this Thursday by Europa Editions. Many thanks to the author and the publisher for the arc via Netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.

The Axeman's Carnival unravels the tale of Tamagotchi (Tama), a magpie who tumbles from his nest only to find salvation in the arms of Marnie. Enchanted by Tama's vibrant personality and uncanny knack for mimicry, Marnie swiftly forms an unbreakable bond with the bird.

As Tama's fame skyrockets due to his exceptional vocal talents showcased online, Marnie revels in his newfound celebrity status. Adoring fans clamor for more of Tama, fueling his meteoric rise. Yet, lurking in the shadows with a simmering resentment is Rob, Marnie's husband. Consumed by a burning desire to maintain their financial stability, retain Marnie's affection, and clinch his tenth Golden Axe at The Axeman's Carnival, Rob finds himself increasingly agitated by Tama's presence, igniting his short temper and jeopardising his carefully laid plans.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Catherine Chidgey is one of the best writers working today and I hope she continues to gather more acclaim with each novel she writes. The Axemans Carnival is an awesome read. It is both imaginative and compelling. The author may be covering ground and exploring themes that many others have done before her but I think she presents It in such an original way and with a unique narrative voice. The magpie is a most surprising and affecting character.
Chidgeys style and approach the reminds me of Daphne Du Maurier, particularly regarding Du Mauriers short stories - unusual, off beat and a sense of the uncanny even in the most normal of domestic circumstances.

This was so good! It has a serious subject matter, but it’s also funny, adorable and the talking magpie Tama is absolutely wonderful. I had my doubts about a the POV beforehand, but there was no need, it works very well.
Many thanks to Europa Editions and Netgalley UK for the ARC.

I’ve heard fantastic things about this author and so I really wanted to try this release. I think many people will reallly enjoy this as it’s a story from the perspective of a magpie that picks up things from the world of humans. The writing was good, the story felt a little bit too slow for my taste. I need to admit that I have decided to DNF this one quite early on not because of the writing but as I really found it hard to suspend my disbelief which resulted in my repeated eye-rolling annoyance with the narration. I’ve had a similar problem with Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees but there it was just one element of the story. Thanks to Netgalley and Europa for the e-arc.

What a fantastic book. I'm aware it's been out a while so perhaps this is a re-issue. Since Pet was my first experience of Catherine Chidgey's incredible work I was delighted to get this from Netgalley.

The Axeman's Carnival tells the story of Tamagotchi (Tama), a magpie who, having fallen out of his nest, is rescued by Marnie. Marnie falls head over heels in love with the bright and gregarious bird that Tama becomes and when he shows a remarkable talent for voices Marnie puts him online. He's an instant hit, beloved by fans who just want a piece of Tama.

However in the background and smouldering with resentment is Rob, Marnie's husband. He is focused on keeping their station in the black, keeping Marnie to himself and winning his tenth Golden Axe at The Axeman's Carnival. Tama is seriously disrupting his plans and Rob has a very short fuse.

Catherine Chidgey has given us another amazing novel with smouldering tensions that feel ready to explode on every page. I loved Pet. I love this. The characters of Marnie and Rob along with sister, Ange and Marnie's poisonous mother, Barbara are so carefully drawn. The book gives us an all too familiar look at family life on the edge. You know that something will happen, you know it won't be good but when and to whom are the questions that keep you guessing until the end.

I've got to mention Tama who takes the starring role. His mimicry is perfect - Catherine Chidgey simply reins it in so expertly.

Highly recommended. It left me stunned.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Europa Editions for the most welcome advance review copy.

Let me start by saying I think a lot of people will love this book. I’m a fan of Catherine Chidgey’s seriously addictive, smart writing (I loved her previous novel, Pet), and I was intrigued when I saw she had written a novel from the perspective of a magpie. There was plenty I loved about this story, but also quite a bit that I struggled with.

The premise is fascinating: a bird is taken in by a woman in New Zealand and ends up being raised by her and her husband, witnessing a harrowing domestic abuse scenario as it unfolds. Particularly in the first half of the novel, Chidgey’s nature writing was unique, tender and affecting. I also loved reading about how the magpie, Tama, is slowly influenced by the behaviours and mindsets of the humans he watches. That part of the novel was really powerful. Chidgey’s portrayal of abuse and difficult family dynamics felt compassionate, and I enjoyed the moments when Tama would struggle with his natural instincts in the face of very human problems.

However, the story ends up revolving around Tama and his owner Marnie’s rapidly growing social media fame; for me, this just didn’t feel believable or add much to the novel, despite becoming its central focus. I could suspend my disbelief during much of the novel, until the talking bird starts constantly parroting phrases to influence events, and even developing viral catch-phrases; I found it tricky to reconcile this with the rest of the novel. The couple are convinced to take drastic action to grow their online engagement – here I started to grimace, knowing immediately what was coming. I kept wanting Chidgey to steer back to her wonderful nature writing, or to zoom in on the couple and their history. I felt that the plot took quite a few very predictable (dare I say cheesy) turns – I personally found this too unsatisfying to look past, and much of the book started to feel like padding before a few inevitable conclusions that were wrapped up too neatly for my taste.

Having said this, I genuinely think a lot of readers will find Chidgey’s writing so compelling, and the novel’s premise so heart-warming, that they will look past its flaws. Frankly, I’ll happily pick up anything she writes!

Many, many thanks to Europa Editions for an ARC of this book.