Books & Banter: Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

In this conversation, Danya Kukafka and I talk about Notes on an Execution and the questions that make it such a compelling read: What does it mean to understand someone who has done terrible things? Can we recognize someone’s humanity without excusing their actions? And what does it mean to have a choice in the moments that matter most? We also get into why we’re so fascinated by serial killers, the choices Danya made as a writer, and the surprisingly everyday moments that connect us to the novel’s bigger questions about human nature. Please note that today’s conversation covered some mature topics. I wouldn’t advise watching or listening with kids around without previewing, first. Related links Order (https://bookshop.org/a/121937/9780063...) Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka Check out my original review (https://elicitingesperance.substack.c...) of the book or watch (https://elicitingesperance.substack.c...) this conversation, instead Danya's website (https://www.danyakukafka.com/) Danya's recommended books: Tiger's Mouth (https://bookshop.org/a/121937/9798217...) by Lucy Tan, Famous Men (https://bookshop.org/a/121937/9780593...) by Julie Buntin Please note: purchasing from these links earns me a small commission, as well as my local independent bookstore, at no cost to you. If you'd like to receive new Books & Banter conversations in your inbox, subscribe to Eliciting Esperance here (https://elicitingesperance.substack.com/) . And if this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend or rating the podcast. Both help more people find this work, and I'm grateful. Esperance (es-per-uhns): the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Thank you to Mallory Ayres Griffiths (https://pixabay.com/users/melodyayres...) for the use of their human-created music for this podcast. Get full access to Eliciting Esperance at elicitingesperance.substack.com/subscribe (https://elicitingesperance.substack.c...)