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Book Review of Notes on an Execution

Notes on an Execution


I wasn't a fan of this book. I wanted to give it 2.5 stars and debated as to whether to round up or down. I rounded up but only because I think it has some redeeming qualities that will appeal to some readers. Upon further deliberation I think I need to round down. I did not like any of the characters (with the exception of Blue, who we didn't get to know very much). The writing is disjointed and did not work at all for me. Parts are written in 2nd person i.e. "You are in Death House." "You take out Blue's letter." etc. Then it switches to 3rd person for all the other characters not awaiting execution. I wanted to stop reading but I kept going mostly because I wanted to know who he was guilty of killing. This is more of a bleak drama than any mystery/thriller. In the end it didn't feel worth it to me.