Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

[Kelly]

The summary says that the book is about Ansel told through the eyes of his surrounding people in life, but it's more so the stories of his surrounding people when he crossed through their life. Overall, it was a slow paced book where none of the characters are working towards a climactic ending ((view spoiler)[other than Saffy, but that was predictable and not action packed or required any sleuthing from the reader (hide spoiler)]) therefore there was no suspense which might have been dragging it down.

This kind of literary mystery book is not my cup of tea. I would much rather choose a cozy mystery(view spoiler)[ than reading 50 pages throughout the book and an additional 50 pages at the end of the book of a man waiting to be executed and the process of execution but not in an interesting way of any sort (hide spoiler)]. It was a good start for a book but it needs some spicing up and excitement with characters that want something. The opening with Lavender and Johnny gave me hope for the rest of the book, but it did not pick up from there.

[Peacejanz]

I agree - the book was a downer. It did make me angry all over again about the awful way our government, and people in general, treat our abandoned children. And fight those who do not want to have children. My book group is discussing it next week and I just told the leader today and I am not going to attend. Why would I want to discuss or hear more about his awful life and the awfulness he gave to others?