The Axeman’s Carnival

"Questions of knowing and refusing to know, seeing but not believing, scratch at us in Chidgey’s pages. Perhaps never more effectively — or entertainingly — than in The Axeman’s Carnival." * Financial Times *
"Do not be put off by the fact that The Axeman’s Carnival is narrated by a magpie; whimsy is entirely absent from this highly original, thrillingly dark and often very funny." * Peter Parker, The Spectator's Books of the Year 2024 *
“The Axeman’s Carnival is a compulsive read and flat-out brilliant.” * Elizabeth Knox *
“Chidgey elegantly weaves together social commentary, magic realism, folklore and myth, and her treatment of serious themes is deft. A deeply engaging novel with an original and remarkably charming star.” * Irish Times *
"The Axeman’s Carnival offers a shrewd look at human foibles through the eyes of a talking magpie called Tama. This novel is an imaginative treat." * The Independent *
"A precocious magpie takes a bird’s-eye view of patriarchy." * TLS *
"Funny, dark, insightful and unique, this beautifully written novel is a story and a magpie you will NEVER forget." * Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things *
"I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with a magpie, but from the opening chapter, which is a masterclass in prose, to the final scene, I was spellbound by the foul-mouthed, wisecracking Tama and his quest to save gentle Marnie from unspeakable violence. Another tour de force from Catherine Chidgey." * Karen Powell, author of Fifteen Wild Decembers *
"The Axeman’s Carnival" is both tense and disconcertingly charming. The story is filled with delightful moments but tightens with frightening inevitability to a shocking conclusion." * Lulu Allison, author of Salt Lick *
"The Axeman’s Carnival's central conceit – a magpie taken in by a farmer’s wife living on a remote sheep station learns to speak back a form of narrative that mirrors the events taking place in her marriage – is thrilling, beautifully rendered and pitch perfect." * Newsrooom NZ *
“A remarkable and original writer, whose novels have the golden combination of being both riveting and superbly-written.” * Lissa Evans *
“The work of a writer absolutely on top of her game, narrated with linguistic brio by a magpie chick, who tells the story of her human rescuer Marnie’s escape from a violent marriage.” * John Mitchinson *
“The Axeman’s Carnival is remarkable, brilliant, a classic in the making.” -- Rachael King * Newsroom *
“One of our very best novelists knocks it out of the park.” * New Zealand Herald (Book of the Year) *
“Chidgey’s writing is masterful, and the underlying sense of dread as the story unfolds is shot through with humour and humanity. The Axeman’s Carnival is unique: poetic, profound and a powerfully compelling read from start to finish.” * Judges’ comments, Ockham NZ Book Awards 2023 *
"The Axeman’s Carnival is a stunning and captivating story about the pressures of farming life and the meaning of family, and Chidgey is at the absolute top of her game." * Booklist *
"Told in the voice of a magpie, with humour and wisdom, this unflinching portrait of nature picks at the thin veil between the elemental violence and drama of both human and animal worlds." * Shelf Awareness *
"As unsettling as it is entertaining, the brilliantly written voice and antics of Tama, carry the story forward, poking fun and provoking an already tense situation, until its splintering, scorching conclusion. Highly Recommended." * Word by Word *
“Thrilling, beautifully rendered and pitch perfect.” * Newsroom NZ *