This is a dark book. It builds up the possibilities of endings, but I'm glad to say it ended in a way that I found the overall reading experience satisfying.

Our narrator is a magpie, separated from its flock and nurtured to health by Marnie. Once outside the house, the bird flies away but soon finds itself returning and a new life as Tama, the talking magpie, begins. From the very beginning, we see the train of thoughts in Tama's head. We know his priorities and all the other little things that happen inside that house. The foreboding continues as readers can easily anticipate some of the parts of the ending.

The writing was of a style that I particularly enjoy. There's a change in tone based on what part of the narrative we are focusing on. I think it could have been a little shorter, but it was definitely very different from other books I've recently read.

I would recommend it to people who like to pick something that doesn't really fall under any particular genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I received this book from NetGalley and Europa Editions in exchange for a free and honest review.

This book follows Tama, a tamed magpie that was rescued as a young chick by Marnie. Marnie lives in a sheep farm in New Zealand with her husband Rob, their farm is failing due to lack of rain and unwillingness to diversify their product. Soon Marnie begins to post Tara on social media where he gets a sizeable following, this allows them to monetise his image. All this is building up to the Axelmans Festival, where Rob will try to win his tenth consecutive golden axe. This novel was quite a good read with some funny and shocking parts. The topics discussed especially to do with social media and being trapped are apt. As the more that people engage with social media, the more that some fans/ subscribers feel entitled to bloggers/ vloggers. This may result in loss of privacy and some dangerous situations if not managed well, it's quite dangerous for dependents such as children and pets. As some people may try to engage/ harm with them. Overall, a very good book with hard hitting topics but I would strongly advise readers to check content warnings.

The Axeman’s Carnival is a captivating domestic drama set in Central Otago, New Zealand on a struggling sheep farm during a severe drought. The story is told through the eyes of a young magpie Tama (short for Tamagotchi) who had been rescued by the farmer’s wife, Marnie after falling from his nest.
Marnie, as we quickly learn is in an extremely vulnerable place in her life, she forms a bond with Tama and treats him like the baby she’s dreaming of. Despite Rob's misgivings, Tama soon cements his place in the family and has an incredible skill to mimic human voices. While what his speaks doesn't always make sense he can make his meaning plain. Marnie starts posting videos online and Tama soon becomes an internet sensation with a global fanbase leading to increased strain between Marnie and Rob who is in training for the annual Axeman’s Carnival.
Tama is such a unique and quirky narrative voice, and really adds such a layer of depth and intrigue to the story, his all-seeing eye make him a unique and memorable character,. I loved the growth journey that he experiences throughout the narrative, as he gets closer to Marnie and his relationship with his magpie family becomes more strained. He may not understand everything he sees as a human would but he certainly knows right from wrong and his magpie family who continue to remind him of the violence of humans. Intend, his interactions with Marnie versus those with his sister, provide a fascinating exploration of human-animal relationships.
It's my first book by Catherine Chidgey but I'm quite sure it won't be my last. It’s got everything, a unique voice, razor sharp humour, and some deep emotions. I loved everything about it.

I was drawn to this one for its unusual premise, a book from the point of view of a magpie!

Overall I found it a good read and particularly enjoyed Tama’s (the magpie) voice which brought some humour to the book. This was a good contrast to some of the darker themes.

Even though a magpie is one of the main characters I still found the novel grounded, the idea of a bird with intelligence not too far fetched.

I did find myself losing interest slightly in the middle but there was still enough to keep me reading and so glad I finished this one.

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.