A review by limabeans
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

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

5.0

Wow, where to even start.

Every aspect of this was written phenomenally. It’s obvious Danya Kukafka feels greatly about the issues in this book and honestly just everything she hits in this book was done exceptionally well. 

This is not a story about a serial killer; this is the story about the women and what they are or could have been because of Ansel’s actions. 

Kukafka writes this story in a way that makes the reader realize they too have fallen victim to the remorse towards and glorification, no matter the morals towards him, of a serial killer. I think writing Ansel’s 2019 POV in second person is a great strategy that helped with that. But it shows that people just like us try to find a reason to find guilty men innocent in some way— and that we are fascinated by these vicious men and don’t justify the women who are victims, and those that are affected by this violence that do survive.

I truly do think this story will stick to me forever. 

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