A review by classicpseudonym
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

this was a very meaningful read as it gave me a new perspective on murder and crime. even though ansel is the bad guy here, the perspectives and narration of the other characters that were somehow intertwined within his life added so much to this book. thrillers about murders have been done many times before, but the mind of a serial killer isn't often covered, and the lives of a criminal and the lives of the people around them aren't ever the main focus (i feel like books tend to focus too much on the criminal and his crime, almost like a newspaper headline). kukafka seamlessly incorporates these characters' thoughts into the plot, and the whole book has an eerie, suspenseful feel to it, which kept me engaged, especially nearing the end of the book. lastly, book also grapples with the question of evil vs. good and what someone truly deserves for what they did or did not do. i appreciate how this topic recurred through ansel's thoughts, saffy's investigative work as a policewoman, blue acknowledging the other sides of ansel besides the evil within him, and many more examples. i'll probably be thinking about how some things are unfair but others aren't and how and where to draw the line now. and also how the system is fucked but i have no idea how to fix it so maybe i'll just keep my mouth shut.

i will say that i got a bit bored around the middle of the book, and this book didn't make me want to keep reading all the way through. it took me quite a bit to finish reading because of this. i felt like i was looking for more during the action packed parts of the book, but it never quite got there. things seemed to move slowly, calmly almost, which interesting considering the topic and plot of this book. at times, i thought this haziness was done very well (ex. in hazel and blue's perspectives), but other times, it made the book drag on for too long.

anyway, this was a good read overall, and i recommend it if you're interested in criminal law or the systems in general. or if you like reading unique perspectives like i do.
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