This month we read the story of the women whose lives were affected by the actions of a convicted murderer awaiting execution. Ansel Packer wants to be remembered, but this isn’t his story. Instead we hear from Lavender, his troubled mother, Hazel, the twin sister of his wife, and Saffy, the detective who hunted him down.
While you wouldn’t describe this book as a pleasant read (the word ‘grim’ came up on more than one occasion in group member’s descriptions), the majority of the group agreed that Notes on an Execution was well written.
We liked the chapter headings which gave an easy indication of whose point of view we were reading and the year the events had taken place, as well as the hours counting down to the execution. Although this was an intense and challenging read, these short chapters made up for the small font.
Several readers said that this wasn’t the sort of book that they would usually choose, which made them struggle reading it. However most people decided to persevere once they’d started reading. One member commented that they didn’t know what they were supposed to be getting from the book. Another member said that they’d spoken to someone who had really enjoyed it – although most of us felt that enjoy probably wasn’t the word we’d have chosen.
When we first started reading, several of us wondered whether Ansel had been framed (no), and we all agreed that his childhood sounded horrific. However we also recognised that an abusive and terrible childhood does not necessarily create a serial killer. Several of the events felt like they were from a textbook on spotting childhood homicidal tendencies (the dead fox on a child’s bed, or the beheaded chipmunks). Ansel’s younger brother escapes this nature/nature cycle by being adopted after their abandonment by Lavender, while Ansel is sent to foster homes.
The way that the women were in control of the narrative, and Ansel was shown mainly in relation to them, was an interesting way of looking at crime. Unfortunately we still felt that Ansel was the main character (presumably not the intention of the author). While we quite enjoyed the twist with the prison guard (no spoilers), it wasn’t enough to raise this month’s score.
We gave Notes on an Execution 3/5, more because we appreciated how well written it is, rather than its less than appealing subject matter.
Next month’s read is the memoir What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
Food is an integral part of Stanley Tucci’s life: from stracciatella soup in the shadow of the Pantheon, duck à l’orange eaten with fellow actors and cooked by singing Carmelite nuns, marinara sauce cooked between rehearsals and costume fittings, to meatballs shared with three generations of his family.
In this entertaining glimpse into his life, Stanley Tucci records 12 months of eating, in restaurants, kitchens, events, with family, friends and sometimes alone.
Come and pick up your copy from the Library in GETEC.
Come and join our next meeting on Teams at 12.30-1.00pm, on Tuesday 5th April.
Find out more about our reading groups here or take a look at some of our previous book reviews.
We look forward to seeing you!