‘The Axeman’s Carnival’ by Catherine Chidgey

Winner of the Jann Medlicott Prize for Fiction – Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Set in Central Otago on a struggling sheep farm during a severe drought, Marnie claims the young magpie that has fallen from its nest. Nurturing and hand feeding Tama, as he comes to be known as, signifies a turning point at a desperate time in Marnie’s life and a bond forms. More than mere anthropomorphism, Tama’s persona becomes life and truth to Marnie – in a world where she’s become silenced, dismissed and diminished, Tama matters more and more as he sees it all.

Rob, Marnie’s partner, is a failing sheep farmer on an isolated South Island farm. He has an inability to hear or accept practical advice that would make a difference. He’s narcissistic and cruel. As his fists find Marnie’s soft skin, she delves more into Tama’s world and existence. Tama, and his all-seeing eye, becomes heroic and he is the thread throughout that lifts the tale into a hopeful, courageous narrative. Tama is a character that evokes empathy, applause and chuckles all together.

Tension builds as the coveted Axeman’s Carnival approaches and Rob can no longer hide his brutality. Chidgey removes the quintessential idealism we have come to know in many South Island farmland tales – qualities of resilience and resourcefulness, Chidgey exposes the dark black …purple-black, red-black, black-black of one woman’s life and the harsh realities of loss and hardness in amongst the rural landscape.

This is Chidgey’s fifth novel – all previous work has been award-winning, not only in New Zealand but internationally. She immerses you into her literary, creative world and writes with an ease that captivates your attention. Precise and sharp, confronting and honest, The Axeman’s Carnival is another worthy finalist for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Te Herenga Waka Victoria University Press.
ISBN 9781776920051

Catherine Chidgey and Linda Clark at Featherston Booktown 2023.