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A review by thereadingparamedic
The Axeman's Carnival by Catherine Chidgey
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Axeman's Carnival is an unusual novel in that the story is told to us from the point of view of a magpie, Tama. Taken in by Marnie as a young chick and hand reared, Tama continues to live permanently with Marnie and her husband, Rob.
The novel covers some very serious themes, including coercive control and domestic violence, so you may wish to read up on this should these be topics you may struggle to read. Though it can be a tough read in places, I do think Catherine Chidgey really captured how it can feel to be controlled by a partner, and the defensive way in which people who are under such control can act.
Social media is also a big part of the story, covering both the ups and downs of going viral and having your life lived out for the world to see. On this aspect, it is a very timely novel and it was a perfectly timed read for me based on how I have been feeling about social media myself recently.
Catherine Chidgey is a brilliant writer, building the tension to a very climactic end. The Axeman's Carnival is a very unique novel and if you can deal with its themes, then it's a thumbs up from me!
The novel covers some very serious themes, including coercive control and domestic violence, so you may wish to read up on this should these be topics you may struggle to read. Though it can be a tough read in places, I do think Catherine Chidgey really captured how it can feel to be controlled by a partner, and the defensive way in which people who are under such control can act.
Social media is also a big part of the story, covering both the ups and downs of going viral and having your life lived out for the world to see. On this aspect, it is a very timely novel and it was a perfectly timed read for me based on how I have been feeling about social media myself recently.
Catherine Chidgey is a brilliant writer, building the tension to a very climactic end. The Axeman's Carnival is a very unique novel and if you can deal with its themes, then it's a thumbs up from me!