A review by readwithcindy
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

5.0

I was debating between rating this 4 or 5 stars, because I found the middle parts to be less engaging and also felt like the policewoman’s story leaned too far into a stereotypical crime drama rather than a literary novel. However, I was really absorbed in the last ⅓ of the book, and after finishing it, had a long discussion with my partner about the themes explored, whether people are deserving of the death penalty, if redemption is possible for people who do terrible things, etc. These types of discussions, I believe, are a mark of an effective literary novel. I came into this book curious whether the author would make the main character sympathetic or not, and came out of it glad that she did not steer the reader into believing one way or the other. I don’t like being spoon-fed what to believe when I read a story; I like that this one gives you enough to make your own judgments, or come away with questions to contemplate. The decision to show both his story as well as the women’s helped add nuance and different perspectives to the question of redemption and rehabilitation. The prose is great too, and the author ended the story in the perfect way.