Richard Marsh (1) (1939–)

Utmost Magpie is a story about magpies who, led by their captain, deliver messages to people. The messages foretell - by the number of magpies seen - what may happen to the people... The events foretold by the magpies are prophetic, but not entirely unavoidable.

I suspect the story is heavily laden with symbolism that I haven't stopped to analyze in it's entirety. The satire goes right over my head too... or at least, mostly it does. Despite that, I can still see the magpies as politicians show more and their messages as the rhetoric delivered by politicians in an attempt to convince their colleagues to vote for certain measures when the political body is in session.

On another level, Utmost Magpie is an entirely enjoyable fantasy tale about magpies and the "work" they do. Utmost Magpie can be read as "light and fluffy" or studied in depth. I can recommend this book, even to those who don't normally read satire.

This review has been simultaneously published on Amazon.com, Dragonviews, and LibraryThing. Utmost Magpie was given to me free in exchange for this review. show less

Utmost Magpie is a short novel written by Richard Marsh. Knowing next to nothing about the author, I would make the following assumption: he is a poet. I may be wrong, but he definitely has a skill with poetry that even comes out in the prose sections of this book.

Utmost Magpie, by some descriptions, is political satire. I must say, though, that whatever it was satirizing completely shot right over my head.

But that isn't to say I didn't enjoy every minute of this book! I did.

If you've ever show more heard that poem about magpies, it starts "One for sorrow, two for joy." and goes on from there. A tiding of magpies, led by a Captain, must fulfill Assignments. They must appear to people in different numbers to indicate what will befall said people the next few days.

The Captain, who has a mysterious past, is challenged by one of his Flock. Through bizarre circumstances, he is displaced, but he is still alive, something that up until now was unheard of.

The story goes on, spanning several years (more years than Magpies normally live), with the former Captain at the helm of the narration.

As I said earlier: whatever this story was satirizing escaped me. But, like a good story, it was still readable and enjoyable. Maybe when you read it, you'll get it. But if you don't, you'll still probably like it. show less

I quite enjoyed reading this book. It is an informative book for young non english adults wishing to be au pairs in Ireland. It is informative without being condescending, and straight to the point. A must have for any mothers wishing to allow their daughters to go and be au pairs abroad, dealing frankly with problems likely to be faced, how to address them and what's not acceptable for both the au pair and host family. I really liked it - and I never read serious books. I have passed it on show more to my book club and the mothers are loving it. I can frankly relate to this book as I was a live- in- carer in England for my gap year. Fantastic stuff Richard. You inform without boring us. show less

A helpful guide with horror stories and things to make you laugh (how much toilet paper can one be allowed?). Also has list of do's and don'ts - "Articles of War." Fun read for anyone considering such a prospect.