The Axeman’s Carnival
The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey, published by Europa Editions in 2024, presents a unique narrative that intertwines the lives of humans and animals. This 336-page work explores the story of Tama, a magpie chick rescued by Marnie, whose life takes unexpected turns as he becomes a voice for both the animal and human experiences. The narrative balances elements of violence and humor, reflecting on the complexities of family life and the natural world.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of interactions as Tama navigates his existence amidst the challenges faced by Marnie and her husband Rob. The story delves into themes of hope and darkness, culminating in the dramatic setting of the annual Axeman’s Carnival. Through Tama’s perspective, the book offers insights into the precarity of life and the connections between different realms, making it a thought-provoking exploration of existence.
Official synopsis Publisher
WINNER OF THE JANN MEDLICOTT ACORN PRIZE FOR FICTION AT THE 2023 OCKHAM NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS
A dazzling portrayal of humanity and the natural world that perfectly balances violence and humor
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.
“A writer of formidable resources, a deft stylist possessed of uncanny imaginative acuity.”–The Guardian
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