A Perfect Execution

by Tim Binding

Profoundly changed after witnessing the death of a wounded World War II soldier, young Jeremiah Bembo becomes what he considers to be a "merciful executioner," who brings compassion and release to the dying.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Novelist Tim Binding was born in Germany in 1947. A former editor at Penguin Books in London, he is a part-time commissioning editor at London publishers Simon & Schuster. He is the author of the novels, In the Kingdom of Air (1993), A Perfect Execution (1996) (shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize), Island Madness (1998), set on Guernsey during the Second World War, and Man Overboard (2005).

He co-wrote a comedy drama series for BBC television in 1998, entitled The Last Salute, working with Simon Nye, creator of the Men Behaving Badly comedy series. On Ilkley Moor: The Story of an English Town (2001), is a memoir and history of the area where he grew up. Anthem, a moving and entertaining story of the horror of war and its consequences, was published in 2003. His latest novel is Sylvie and the Songman (2008) and is illustrated by Angela Barrett.


Tim Binding lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Meera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a little while for me to get into this, but once I was about 50 pages in, I was gripped. The author does a wonderful job of evoking time and place in post-war Britain in the countryside and creates rounded, flawed characters that you want to know what happens to. The story tells the tale of Solomon Straw/Jeremiah Bembo, a man who lives a double life as a respectable farmer and an executioner, responsible for effectively carrying out the hangings of Britain's criminals. At first, Jeremiah seems to have the perfect life, a devoted wife, but then something changes to make him want to seek more from his life and become an exectioner, a choice none of his family can understand. However, his two lives collide with one high profile local crime, with consequences for all those around him. This is a great thriller, but also a moving story about humanity.

[Jodean Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all-time.

[Sonja Trbojevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book: dark, hypnotic, riveting, it asks questions about how an ordinary man can bear to do a job which sets him apart from family, friends, and humanity itself: a job which he has to carry out in "secret" as much as is possible. The check list that precedes the story is chilling in its thoroughness, yet conveys a sense of how such a profession must depend on a detachment from sentimentality. This is put to the ultimate test when the hangman's two lives collide. Powerful stuff!

[The Final Chapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mid 4. Binding expertly deals with complex moral issues in this story of Jeremiah Bembo,a seemingly inconsequential market gardener, who under the pseudonym of Solomon Straw performs his role as public executioner. Proud of his talent to quickly dispatch those sent under his auspices, through one case which intrudes on his domestic facade, he is forced to question his identity and to seek true justice.

[Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, totally unique story about a part-time executioner who experiences a change of heart under terrible circumstances - part mystery, part thoughtful meditation on life and death and the arbitrary nature of both. This novel was almost impossible to find in the US, but I'm glad I tracked it down.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow starting book, but once it got going it took off! Everyone was connected in some way whether they knew it or not. I would have to say the only thing I didn't really like is there were no chapters, or good stopping points so it took longer for me to read since it meant I had to have a good length of time to sit and read it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit slow so it took me longer to read but that's ok because the story was fantastic. That ending? Oh my gosh reminds me of watching Hitchcock movies. Sometimes books in the bargain bins are amazing finds.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another historically oriented novel from Tim Binding, this time loosely based on the "A6 murder" and the hanging of James Hanratty. He evokes the craft of the executioner with chilling clarity. Although there are a lot of shades of good and evil in the story, it is a very moral one.

[Chris Ingram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, the protagonist is quite likable even though he's somewhat detestable, which keeps you reading.

Well written, will read TB again.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, it really had me transfixed. A great work of fiction that could well have been real. Having read the autobiography of Albert Pierrepoint a few years ago this book really brought it all back .. superb 👌

[ayesha · Rating 1 out of 5]

dry ass book i left it midway so boringggg