The Axeman’s Carnival
The No. 1 International Bestseller
by Catherine Chidgey
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date 4 Apr 2024 | Archive Date 4 Apr 2024
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Description
A dazzling portrayal of humanity and the natural world that perfectly balances violence and humour.
Everywhere, the birds, but above them all and louder, the magpies. We are here and this is our tree, and we’re staying, and you need to leave and now
Tama is just a helpless chick when he is rescued by Marnie, and this is where his story might have ended. ‘If it keeps me awake,’ says Marnie’s husband Rob, a farmer, ‘I’ll have to wring its neck.’ But with Tama come new possibilities for the couple’s future. Tama can speak, and his fame is growing. Outside, in the pines, his father warns him of the wickedness wrought by humans. Indoors, Marnie confides in him about her violent marriage. The more Tama sees, the more the animal and the human worlds – and all the precarity, darkness and hope within them – bleed into one another. Like a stock truck filled with live cargo, the story moves inexorably towards its dramatic conclusion: the annual Axeman’s Carnival.
Part trickster, part surrogate child, part witness, Tama the magpie is the star of this story. Though what he says aloud to humans is often nonsensical (and hilarious), the tale he tells us weaves a disturbingly human sense. The Axeman’s Carnival is Catherine Chidgey at her finest – comic, profound, poetic and true.
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9781787704626 |
PRICE | £10.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 336 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
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.
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