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A review by sipsandspines
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book will likely be in my top reads list of 2022.
This is the story of a serial killer, told from the POV of three different women whose lives were affected by him. This book explores nature vs. nurture and takes a closer look at the victims of serial killer, rather than the killer himself. There is a fascination with serial killers, they get so much press and so much attention. Likely, most people couldn't name Ted Bundy or BTK's victims, right? This book fights against that. This book urges us to bring attention to those affected by killers, to see the damage they cause to so many lives.
Ansel himself was arrogant and full of himself. He was obsessed with his ridiculous theory about alternate universes where people make different choices and live completely different lives. He believed this theory to be his legacy and wanted to become famous for it after his execution. He was a master manipulator and truly believed he was smarter than most everyone around him. His chapters were told during the 12 hour countdown to his execution.
Lavender, Ansel's mother. Her first chapter was heartbreaking. Absolutely devastating. The things she endured were things no woman should have to endure. But it was hard to feel sympathy for her after she left. I'll admit that her first chapter had me in tears, but after she left I didn't really care to know much about her or her life. I imagine the reader meant to have conflicting feelings for her character, but she was my least favorite character in the book.
Saffy (Saffron), the detective. She also had history with Ansel as a child which made things so much more complicated for her. I liked her chapters, but she was quite frustrating as well. I kept thinking if she had just done one thing differently, would those women have died in the end? Maybe. I guess that's the point of the book and Ansel's stupid theory.
Hazel, Ansel's sister-in-law. Her story went in a completely different direction than I expected. Her part of the story was probably the most mysterious and intriguing to me.
This is classified as a thriller, but don't go in expecting a fast-paced murder mystery because it's so much more than that. It's deep and meaty and takes a lot of twists and turns. But it's a slower burn that you'll want to savor to the last page. It would make a great book club choice as there is a lot to unpack and discuss.
This is the story of a serial killer, told from the POV of three different women whose lives were affected by him. This book explores nature vs. nurture and takes a closer look at the victims of serial killer, rather than the killer himself. There is a fascination with serial killers, they get so much press and so much attention. Likely, most people couldn't name Ted Bundy or BTK's victims, right? This book fights against that. This book urges us to bring attention to those affected by killers, to see the damage they cause to so many lives.
Ansel himself was arrogant and full of himself. He was obsessed with his ridiculous theory about alternate universes where people make different choices and live completely different lives. He believed this theory to be his legacy and wanted to become famous for it after his execution. He was a master manipulator and truly believed he was smarter than most everyone around him. His chapters were told during the 12 hour countdown to his execution.
Lavender, Ansel's mother. Her first chapter was heartbreaking. Absolutely devastating. The things she endured were things no woman should have to endure. But it was hard to feel sympathy for her after she left. I'll admit that her first chapter had me in tears, but after she left I didn't really care to know much about her or her life. I imagine the reader meant to have conflicting feelings for her character, but she was my least favorite character in the book.
Saffy (Saffron), the detective. She also had history with Ansel as a child which made things so much more complicated for her. I liked her chapters, but she was quite frustrating as well. I kept thinking if she had just done one thing differently, would those women have died in the end? Maybe. I guess that's the point of the book and Ansel's stupid theory.
Hazel, Ansel's sister-in-law. Her story went in a completely different direction than I expected. Her part of the story was probably the most mysterious and intriguing to me.
This is classified as a thriller, but don't go in expecting a fast-paced murder mystery because it's so much more than that. It's deep and meaty and takes a lot of twists and turns. But it's a slower burn that you'll want to savor to the last page. It would make a great book club choice as there is a lot to unpack and discuss.