Happy to give my first 5 star review of the year to Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka!
In a word - this book is amazing. It’s a novel centered around a serial killer on death row on the day of his execution - but yet it is not at all what you might think of when you hear that description. It’s not gory or a mystery or thriller, and nor is it a book taking a political stance on the death penalty. Instead, it is an incredible character study and just a beautifully written novel. But I wouldn’t necessarily say it is a character-driven novel - it has a plot too and is a propulsive read I couldn’t put down.
It alternates the day of execution POV of the murderer told in the very unusual second person, and his own flashback memories, with chapters through time from the perspectives of different women who came into contact with him during his life, which really are more about illuminating them as people than they are about him. I found all the characters fascinating and real-feeling, and the book incredibly compelling in a can’t put it down way, even though there definitely are some disturbing parts. But it is also incredibly thought-provoking and made me feel so many emotions. Can’t wait to discuss it with my Read Spin Repeat Book Club this week as there is a lot to dig into with this short but meaty book. One that will stay with me for a long time.
And so, I’m excited to give this not just my first 5 star rating of 2022, but also my first 5 star designation in almost a year! If you know me, I rarely give 5 star ratings out - usually 3-5 a year but last year I only gave it a single time out of 173 books! So I think I built it up so much that I became scared to ever give anything 5 stars again. 😂 Until now.
Thanks to Book Club Girl and William Morris for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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