Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka- 4.5 stars

[Jen K]

4.5 stars - Ansel Parker is on death row and in his final 12 hour countdown to his execution. His story told each hour as the execution approaches but also his history told by 3 women, his mother, his sister in law and the detective who put him in jail for killing girls and who also had a personal experience with him when they were children. Kukafka takes on and tries to deflate the celebrity of a serial killer, an ordinary man made special for hurting women. There are so many books, movies and podcasts making celebrities of serial killers. Kukafka takes the wind out of Parker as he is more focused on his philosophy and getting it out to memorialize how special he is and trying to get out of dying because he isn't ready and entitled to more. He has little to no thought about the girls and women that he executed without a chance for them to live their lives.

The three women share his story from an abusive and difficult childhood to his attempt to be normal and the effects it had on the women around him. I almost stopped the book immediately when I started when I realized it touched on a difficult topic but then was soon so engaged in the story that I couldn't put it down. Although the times and POVs switch frequently, I enjoyed the different perspectives of Ansel and of life in the periphery of a troubled boy and man. It is well done and I look forward to more of Kukafka's writing.

[Peacejanz]

Thanks for posting. A great review. I will read it. Not my idea of a wonderful topic but I am a believer if we do not learn from the past of ourselves and others, we are doomed. Thanks for a great review. peace, janz