Rapscallion Magazine Book Review: a sense of jeopardy hangs over the fate of the talking magpie Tama in Catherine Chidgey’s take on life in rural New Zealand in The Axeman’s Carnival

Rapscallion Magazine Book Review: a sense of jeopardy hangs over the fate of the talking magpie Tama in Catherine Chidgey’s take on life in rural New Zealand in The Axeman’s Carnival

Book Review: The Axeman’s Carnival, by Catherine Chidgey Tama the talking magpie is many things – a social media star, an observer of the human condition and a friend to Marnie who rescues, nurtures and raises him as a pet. As the protagonist, the clever bird drives the story along with the subplots – but despite this unlikely hero Tama does retain characteristics of the crow family. He collects and hides small objects, eats meat and carrion, ch…