History of an Executioner

by Clancy McGilligan

For years the executioner has faithfully performed his duties in a provincial corner of the Republic, enduring the disdain of his fellow citizens. After an uproar over a botched execution in the distant capital, his work is suspended, and he begins disrupting the routines that have defined his life. When rebels attack the town, he must decide whether to resume his old ways.

117 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2020

Reviews

[Audrey Ashbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book- the protagonist, known only as "the executioner" grew on me throughout this short novella. This story raised the questions: why do we do what we do? Do we only do what we are told? I liked how the executioner continuously struggled with this, and grew more conscious of what is right and wrong as he struggled to adapt to the changes in his position. 

I wish so much that there was more to learn about the Republic; who are they? What do they enforce? Who are the "rebels" and what do they do? We are put in the pocket of the world that the executioner knows, and even he seems not to know much about the surrounding world, except for a few rumors about the "New World" he dreams of maybe one day escaping to and a history book left to him by his father. However, I do know that in stories such as these, sometimes what we don't know makes the story better in a way- we are left to speculate without any answers, and we must wonder what fate has in store for the faithful executioner and everyone he came in contact with. 

This was an excellent dystopian novella that raised intriguing moral questions and really had me connecting with the executioner character. I absolutely love the ending paragraph- those last five sentences completely floored me. I love when books have endings like that, truly. As this is Clancy McGilligan's debut novella, I will be interested to see what more he puts out in the future.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'History of an Executioner' brings us to the verge of existentialism, the point where the protagonist must decide for himself at last."

Check out the rest of my review on Another Chicago Magazine:

https://anotherchicagomagazine.net/20...

[Becky Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clancy’s novella tells the story of—you guessed it—an executioner, who serves in a provincial town where he lives with his ill wife. When a botched execution in the Republic’s capital causes all executions to be suspended, the executioner begins to question what or whose purpose his work serves. This story is also like a fable—it asks us to consider what norms we follow and why. Especially important for a society living during the Trump administration, I’d argue. The prose is spare, with little backstory, pointing us unrelentingly to the question of right and wrong, and who decides.

[Alexa Doran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson McCullers meets JD Salinger.

As someone who is often annoyed by plot, the predicaments here always felt both fresh and heavy.

I immensely appreciated how every word felt as if it was chosen with the same precision needed to select a single grain of rice. Intentional.

[Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGilligan's first novella was a quick read, and really introduces you to the medieval world of the searching protagonist - the executioner. Simple prose, and deeply felt emotion; the author has his pulse on the loneliness and starkness of the world he's created. Satisfying and subtly profound. Recommend!

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this novella by a talented author. Written with pared prose and total control, 'History of an Executioner' touches on existential questions, and takes the reader on a haunting journey. Looking forward to this writer's next work.

[Brooklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much character development and exploration in what feels like such a short amount of reading time. Or maybe the story is so good I just couldn't stop reading, read it yourself and find out.