Can anyone convince me to stick with Notes on an Execution?

[Anonymous]

Got it from the library based on recommendations here, and I'm about 50 pages in.

Well written, but it is SO depressing. I'm normally drawn to dark/heavy/complicated reads, but I'm not sure I can continue.

[Anonymous]

I loved it, but I also know it’s not for everyone. It’s dark in a way that is almost too realistic. The ending brought me to tears.

That said, it also hasn’t stuck with me in the way that, say, that scene from The Kite Runner has. I wasn’t traumatized by it. I realize I’m probably not convincing you to keep reading it, but don’t want to lie and say, oh, keep going, it’s so uplifting in the end! It’s beautiful in a heartbreaking way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved it, but I also know it’s not for everyone. It’s dark in a way that is almost too realistic. The ending brought me to tears.

That said, it also hasn’t stuck with me in the way that, say, that scene from The Kite Runner has. I wasn’t traumatized by it. I realize I’m probably not convincing you to keep reading it, but don’t want to lie and say, oh, keep going, it’s so uplifting in the end! It’s beautiful in a heartbreaking way.

Thanks. It's well done, so not sure why I'm struggling with it. Will try to stick with it a bit further....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved it, but I also know it’s not for everyone. It’s dark in a way that is almost too realistic. The ending brought me to tears.

That said, it also hasn’t stuck with me in the way that, say, that scene from The Kite Runner has. I wasn’t traumatized by it. I realize I’m probably not convincing you to keep reading it, but don’t want to lie and say, oh, keep going, it’s so uplifting in the end! It’s beautiful in a heartbreaking way.

Thanks. It's well done, so not sure why I'm struggling with it. Will try to stick with it a bit further....

I mean, yeah, it’s incredibly depressing. That’s what I meant about it being too realistic; I’ve worked with people very similar to many of the characters. If you’re an empathic person, it can be painful to think too much about these things. Anyway. It’s still really well done. I also liked her first book, Girl in Snow, which is more of a thriller and not quite as dark.

[Anonymous]

It took me a while to get into it too but I ended up glad I finished. Though, like the poster above, it hasn't really stuck with me.

[Anonymous]

OP reporting back that I stuck it out and was glad I did. I'm a firm believer that things are not always black or white, and it explores that idea.

But lord, were those first 40 pages bleak!

[Anonymous]

New poster. I am reading the book, am midway through it, and I am absolutely loving it. It is heartbreaking; it also makes you appreciate every little thing that is good about life.