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The Executor
A masterful, inventive thriller from a remarkably assured and always surprising young writer.Perpetual graduate student Joseph Geist is at his wit's end. Recently kicked out of their shared apartment by his girlfriend, he's left with little more than a half bust of Nietzsche's head and the realization that he's homeless and unemployed. He's hit a dead end on his dissertation; his funding has been cut off. He doesn't even have a phone. Desperate for some source of income, he searches the local newspaper and finds a curiousCONVERSATIONALIST SOUGHT.SERIOUS APPLICANTS ONLY.PLEASE CALL 617-XXX-XXXXBETWEEN SEVEN A.M. AND TWO P.M.NO SOLICITORS.And so Joseph meets Alma a woman who, with her old-world ways and razor-sharp mind, is his intellectual soul mate. How is he to know that what seems to be the best decision of his life is the one that seals his fate?
482 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
100 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Kellerman
50 books282 followersJesse Kellerman was born in Los Angeles in 1978. His award-winning plays have been produced throughout the United States and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Most recently, he received the Princess Grace Award, given to America’s most promising young playwright. He lives with his wife in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
March 28, 2010
Where is the thrill? I won this book from the Goodreads giveaway. I was excited to receive it as I had never read anything by this author and the premise sounded promising.
The entire first half of the book was just a story about the main character's life, no thrill at all. It would have been more interesting if the main event of the story happened at the very beginning of the book and then have the first half of the story interspersed into the action. In addition to nothing much happening for the first half of the book, I didn't enjoy the psychological thriller which it turned into. The last 100 pages I tried to read as quickly as possible just to get it over with.
Although the story didn't capture my attention, the writing style of this author was very good. I enjoyed his writing prose and may try another one of his books in the future to see if it was just the story line that I did not enjoy.
The entire first half of the book was just a story about the main character's life, no thrill at all. It would have been more interesting if the main event of the story happened at the very beginning of the book and then have the first half of the story interspersed into the action. In addition to nothing much happening for the first half of the book, I didn't enjoy the psychological thriller which it turned into. The last 100 pages I tried to read as quickly as possible just to get it over with.
Although the story didn't capture my attention, the writing style of this author was very good. I enjoyed his writing prose and may try another one of his books in the future to see if it was just the story line that I did not enjoy.
June 10, 2010
There's a basic plot framework that you encounter in Gothic fiction. Our heroine, in straitened circumstances, is forced to find employment. Due to her gentle upbringing she is suitable for only a few positions - governess or ladies' companion. There is a house and a mysterious (and mildly dangerous) man and a dead wife (or maybe an insane one locked up in the attic). There is often a difficult retainer of some kind and an unsavory relative. When it's a heroine in this situation, you get Jane Eyre or Rebecca. Substitute a hero and you've got Sunset Boulevard and it's not hard to guess that someone's going to end up face down in the metaphorical swimming pool.
The Executor is a wonderfully formal and classic sort of Gothic novel. Kellerman skillfully sets up the framework we're all familiar with, following the dictum of Chekov's gun ("If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.") and establishing an utterly believable narrative voice. He then proceeds to play with the form and all its elements, somewhat like my cat plays with his toy mousie. It's delightfully done, breathtakingly skillful, and so far exceeds its possible classification as genre that it's not really worth mentioning the word. I enjoyed every moment of this book - from the technical side of its literary framework, to the elegant solutions of its puzzles, to the confident surety of its language. Quite stunning.
The Executor is a wonderfully formal and classic sort of Gothic novel. Kellerman skillfully sets up the framework we're all familiar with, following the dictum of Chekov's gun ("If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.") and establishing an utterly believable narrative voice. He then proceeds to play with the form and all its elements, somewhat like my cat plays with his toy mousie. It's delightfully done, breathtakingly skillful, and so far exceeds its possible classification as genre that it's not really worth mentioning the word. I enjoyed every moment of this book - from the technical side of its literary framework, to the elegant solutions of its puzzles, to the confident surety of its language. Quite stunning.
September 26, 2011
If the intent of Jesse Kellerman was to create a character so lazy, whiney, entitled and self-serving that he may very well be one of the most unlikable, unredeemable characters to spring from the page of a novel then he certainly accomplished his goal when he came up with the Harvard undergrad student named Joseph Geist, chief protagonist in THE EXECUTOR. Drawing on the fact that Geist is a philosophy major, Kellerman has devoted the initial chapters of his book to what amounts to A Novices Introduction to Philosophical Theory. His style is reminiscent of sitting in a college lecture hall listening to some pompous professor drone on and on about his subject matter. The next few chapters address the subject of Joseph's relationship with Alma Spielmann, a lonely foreign born woman of letters who longs for meaningful conversation and fulfills her need by hiring our protagonist and moving him into her home. Things between Alma and Joseph are moving along swimmingly, and Joseph is enjoying the spoils of his responsibility free life until things are unceremoniously interrupted by the appearance of a "fly in the ointment". Enter Eric, Alma's nasty nephew. This character is an even more greedy and manipulative free-loader than Joseph, which is not an easy achievement. The two rivals engage in a jealous and potentially deadly battle to be King of the Hill.
The remainder of the book delves into Joseph's decline as he attempts to hold on to the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed. This man, who perceives himself as a struggling intellectual, proceeds to make some of the most illogical and downright stupid decisions imaginable and his interminable musings and rampant inner conversations ultimately manifest in a galloping case of paranoia.
A long admirer of Friedrick Nietzsche and the concept of free will, Joseph's thought processes become more and more muddled until they resemble that of his hero who spent his final days plagued by acute mental illness. Mental illness aside, however, both Joseph and his creator Jesse Kellerman should have followed Nietzsche's lead when he commented "It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book".
This particular story would have lost nothing, and may have even been made considerably better, had Kellerman exercised his free will and excised about a third of his words. 2 1/2 stars
The remainder of the book delves into Joseph's decline as he attempts to hold on to the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed. This man, who perceives himself as a struggling intellectual, proceeds to make some of the most illogical and downright stupid decisions imaginable and his interminable musings and rampant inner conversations ultimately manifest in a galloping case of paranoia.
A long admirer of Friedrick Nietzsche and the concept of free will, Joseph's thought processes become more and more muddled until they resemble that of his hero who spent his final days plagued by acute mental illness. Mental illness aside, however, both Joseph and his creator Jesse Kellerman should have followed Nietzsche's lead when he commented "It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book".
This particular story would have lost nothing, and may have even been made considerably better, had Kellerman exercised his free will and excised about a third of his words. 2 1/2 stars
April 11, 2023
The Executor was, ultimately, a disappointing read, although luckily not a particularly time consuming one. I'm going to start with the negatives so I can at least end this review on a positive note.
The main character of The Executor is a down on his luck Philosopher -Joseph- who finds himself penniless, homeless and rejected by his graduate school advisor. In his search for a suitable job, Joseph finds an advertisement in the local paper which catches his eye. ‘Conversationalist wanted'. Naturally, for a young Philosopher who wants to do nothing but ruminate on the questions of life, this is the perfect job. Especially when his new employer, a rich elderly woman who is largely isolated from society, turns out to be not only generous and interesting, but willing to allow Joseph to live with her rent free.
Unfortunately, Joseph is one of the most aggravating main characters that I have had the displeasure of following in a very long time. He's indecisive and inconsistent which, in the hands of a better writer, could possibly be interesting to read about. However here, it is simply an annoying experience as a reader. Kellerman spends a large portion of this book writing long passages of surface level philosophy and attempts to justify it as Joseph's inner monologue. Instead I wish he had cut many of these passages and stopped wasting my reading time. If he had, I'm sure this book could have been at least a third shorter.
In fact, the way this book is written feels long winded and rambles on, seemingly without any point. Does Kellerman have an editor? If not... he needs one. Whole pages could be cut from this book and not only would the plot remain unchanged, the reading experience would be enhanced.
Even more annoyingly, despite how much the book waffles on, the key 'thrilling' points of this supposed thriller happen so fast and are skimmed over giving the reader a strange sense of both narrative whiplash and utter boredom simultaneously. At a certain point, this book takes a very jarring turn of events which completely changes the direction of the narrative however still somehow left me desiring more. It was a confusing experience.
So why have I chosen two instead of one stars for this review. Mainly, this is because, whilst strange and jarring, I was surprised at where the story went a couple of times whilst reading. At this point I've read a number of thrillers and can usually figure out the twists and ending long before they happen. However, if you had asked me half way through this book to tell you how it ended... my answer wouldn't have been correct. This at least, was refreshing. I will also admit that The Executor does pick up slightly towards the end, unfortunately not enough for me to recommend this book in good faith.
To sum up, I recommend spending your time with something else. There are so many good books out there and this, at best, mediocre thriller, felt like like hours of reading time I'm never going to get back.
The main character of The Executor is a down on his luck Philosopher -Joseph- who finds himself penniless, homeless and rejected by his graduate school advisor. In his search for a suitable job, Joseph finds an advertisement in the local paper which catches his eye. ‘Conversationalist wanted'. Naturally, for a young Philosopher who wants to do nothing but ruminate on the questions of life, this is the perfect job. Especially when his new employer, a rich elderly woman who is largely isolated from society, turns out to be not only generous and interesting, but willing to allow Joseph to live with her rent free.
Unfortunately, Joseph is one of the most aggravating main characters that I have had the displeasure of following in a very long time. He's indecisive and inconsistent which, in the hands of a better writer, could possibly be interesting to read about. However here, it is simply an annoying experience as a reader. Kellerman spends a large portion of this book writing long passages of surface level philosophy and attempts to justify it as Joseph's inner monologue. Instead I wish he had cut many of these passages and stopped wasting my reading time. If he had, I'm sure this book could have been at least a third shorter.
In fact, the way this book is written feels long winded and rambles on, seemingly without any point. Does Kellerman have an editor? If not... he needs one. Whole pages could be cut from this book and not only would the plot remain unchanged, the reading experience would be enhanced.
Even more annoyingly, despite how much the book waffles on, the key 'thrilling' points of this supposed thriller happen so fast and are skimmed over giving the reader a strange sense of both narrative whiplash and utter boredom simultaneously. At a certain point, this book takes a very jarring turn of events which completely changes the direction of the narrative however still somehow left me desiring more. It was a confusing experience.
So why have I chosen two instead of one stars for this review. Mainly, this is because, whilst strange and jarring, I was surprised at where the story went a couple of times whilst reading. At this point I've read a number of thrillers and can usually figure out the twists and ending long before they happen. However, if you had asked me half way through this book to tell you how it ended... my answer wouldn't have been correct. This at least, was refreshing. I will also admit that The Executor does pick up slightly towards the end, unfortunately not enough for me to recommend this book in good faith.
To sum up, I recommend spending your time with something else. There are so many good books out there and this, at best, mediocre thriller, felt like like hours of reading time I'm never going to get back.
August 16, 2017
The first half of the book was interesting, and unique. Then it fell into a repetitive hole of boring.
February 9, 2014
----- spoiler alert ------- dont read before having read the book.
Fascinating how the author was able to mix philosophy into the recipe of this dark thriller, as a tool to create a fictional person who is hyper-rationalizing the reality around him. Which is the mistake that the purely philosophical approach to reality always makes: putting all the emphasis on rationality, and therefore missing a huge chunk of life and failing to respect the deep, emotional side of being human. That mistake will cost our protagonist dearly. The psychological aspects are also laid out in a very realistic way: the detachment and the fear of emotions that Joseph suffers from stem directly from having experienced the abuse in his family and the uncontrolled emotions in his home. For that, you shouldn't judge him too harshly for being as annoying as he is.
Someone mentioned "Crime and punishment": i don't think the author wanted to focus on Joseph's sense of guilt (or rather, lack thereof). Dostoevski wanted to do precisely that, and that's why he presented the murder at the beginning of the novel. Here, the murders are towards the end. What matters most is what goes on inside this guy's mind as a whole, so well described and prepared by the author that the sudden explosion of his instincts at two thirds of the book is exactly what you would expect. His heart is buried under layers of defense mechanisms, and he's not in synch with his own feelings. Before ending up in prison, he had already been living in a "prison" of his own, in his own mind, and I think that is why he feels so much at home when he finally ends up there.
March 19, 2010
I was expecting a thriller mystery, and was disappointed. The majority of the book discussed Joseph Geist and his worthless life. Joseph is over thirty and does not have a job nor can he complete his dissertation. Joseph lacks ambition and drive, he owns nothing and lives cheaply with other people. The book discusses free will, and Joseph makes his biggest free will decision: he commits two murders, and then confesses to the crimes. His attitude in prison seems to be one of comfort and acceptance. He almost seems to be happy to have his life so structured. Alma is an interesting figure. She gives to both Joseph and her nephew, Eric. She requires so little from each of these pitiful men. Is she atoning for her family's past sins? The book has merits. After reading the book, so many of the scenes and minor characters enter my thoughts: Daciana-the maid, Yasmina-the ex-girlfriend, and Dr. Cargill. The Executor is not what I expected, the majority of the book goes into too much philosophy and free-will, and the final part happens so quickly that the reader wonders what happened.
May 25, 2010
This story started off good, Joseph Geist, professional student, gets kicked out of his apartment that he had been sharing with his girlfriend of two years. He then learns that he has lost his funding because he cannot seem to finish his dissertation paper so he must find a job. Joseph answers an ad "Conversatioalist Sought". Alma Spielmann is looking for someone to spend time with her every afternoon just to talk, talk about anything, then when she finds out that Joseph is writing his paper on Free Will they have discussions every day about philosophy. Once Alma finds out that Joseph has no place to stay she invites him to stay with her. From this point on the story becomes so pretentious, boring, full of angst and predictability that I found myself skimming pages at a time hoping that something unpredictable would happen. But no it comes to the exact end that I had figured out on page 102.
I was really excited to win this copy from the Goodreads contest, was excited to read Jesse Kellerman as I have enjoyed books by his parents but did not enjoy this at all.
I was really excited to win this copy from the Goodreads contest, was excited to read Jesse Kellerman as I have enjoyed books by his parents but did not enjoy this at all.
March 3, 2012
The book was just OK in my opinion and not a patch on his previous 'The Brutal Art'
The blurb states that Mr Kellerman has a degree in Psychology and he likes to let you know with pages of ramblings taken probably from his dissertation.
The story is that of an ill fitted Psychology student who after years of non-show in his work is not only kicked out by his girlfriend, but is also kicked out of college.
He takes a chance on an advert in the student press for a 'conversationalist' and eventually moves in with his elderly employer.
His circumatances change and his personality seems to change with it! Non for the better.
His girlfriend changes her mind about him and sees a meal ticket developing.
So, in summing up it's nearly 500 pages in paperback which if you cut out the ramblings (or filler) could have been cut to 350 and made a better tale in the telling.
Not the best but not the worst don't take the book on an outing as a serious read, more a beach read or a time-suck type of tale.
The blurb states that Mr Kellerman has a degree in Psychology and he likes to let you know with pages of ramblings taken probably from his dissertation.
The story is that of an ill fitted Psychology student who after years of non-show in his work is not only kicked out by his girlfriend, but is also kicked out of college.
He takes a chance on an advert in the student press for a 'conversationalist' and eventually moves in with his elderly employer.
His circumatances change and his personality seems to change with it! Non for the better.
His girlfriend changes her mind about him and sees a meal ticket developing.
So, in summing up it's nearly 500 pages in paperback which if you cut out the ramblings (or filler) could have been cut to 350 and made a better tale in the telling.
Not the best but not the worst don't take the book on an outing as a serious read, more a beach read or a time-suck type of tale.
April 11, 2011
I love all the Kellerman's and Jesse is really becoming one of my favorites. This book is very unique, very taut, cautionary tale. I read it in just about 2 days. I couldn't put it down. This book is a little different from the usual thriller and I think that's what really had me sucked in, because it wasn't too predictable. You didn't know who to trust.
February 25, 2021
Kind of intriguing i keep hoping the pace will soon pick up, not really enjoying this book much so far though I am optimistic that in the end I will!
June 9, 2010
Smart and taut --, March 14, 2010
By Denise "DC" (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews
This was a very fast-paced suspense thriller that grabbed me from the opening pages and didn't let go until I read the final chapter a few hours later. I could not put the book down!
The characters are believable, unique, and interesting. The prose is incredibly clever and the narrative moves along quickly as the tension builds. Although the reader is not quite sure what exactly is going to happen, it's obvious that it's going to be huge, messy and dramatic! Although he has no way to know it, Joseph Geist makes a bad decision the day he answers an ad placed in the Harvard Crimson to apply for a position that asks him to be a conversationalist. He's down on his luck as he's just been terminated from the PhD program where he's been halfheartedly attempting, for about 8 years, to write his dissertation for philosophy and has been kicked out of his girlfriend's apartment. How much trouble can a guy get into just talking with this very nice, intelligent 80 year old woman who lives in this incredible house and asks nothing more than a couple of hours of good debate every day -- and is willing to pay him for it?!
As the two become close, other elements and events that occur start to ratchet up the sense of dread that something BAD is going to happen -- and the plot thickens! This author really knows how to turn a phrase and the inclusion of many different philosophical tenets and theories adds another interesting dimension to the story.
I liked this one -- recommended for a discriminating suspense lover who likes a smart and tightly drawn novel that is quite original.
By Denise "DC" (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews
This was a very fast-paced suspense thriller that grabbed me from the opening pages and didn't let go until I read the final chapter a few hours later. I could not put the book down!
The characters are believable, unique, and interesting. The prose is incredibly clever and the narrative moves along quickly as the tension builds. Although the reader is not quite sure what exactly is going to happen, it's obvious that it's going to be huge, messy and dramatic! Although he has no way to know it, Joseph Geist makes a bad decision the day he answers an ad placed in the Harvard Crimson to apply for a position that asks him to be a conversationalist. He's down on his luck as he's just been terminated from the PhD program where he's been halfheartedly attempting, for about 8 years, to write his dissertation for philosophy and has been kicked out of his girlfriend's apartment. How much trouble can a guy get into just talking with this very nice, intelligent 80 year old woman who lives in this incredible house and asks nothing more than a couple of hours of good debate every day -- and is willing to pay him for it?!
As the two become close, other elements and events that occur start to ratchet up the sense of dread that something BAD is going to happen -- and the plot thickens! This author really knows how to turn a phrase and the inclusion of many different philosophical tenets and theories adds another interesting dimension to the story.
I liked this one -- recommended for a discriminating suspense lover who likes a smart and tightly drawn novel that is quite original.
March 28, 2010
First of all, a huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this book as a goodreads first reads winner.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book and, as a result, I've really agonized over how to rate and review this book.
The first 40 pages of this book were well-written but not interesting to me, as it read much like a memoir and I'm not a big fan of memoirs. I almost put the book down at that point, but decided to give it a fair try and I'm glad I did, as it picked up at about the time he went to work for the elderly woman. I really enjoyed the relationship they shared and really came to like the main character.
There's a turning point in this book where the character experiences a life-changing situation and, with it, the writing style took a complete right turn. I understand why the writing style changed, but I can't say that it made the book any more enjoyable.
Overall, this was an okay book. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not sure I'll be one of those waiting for the author's next release.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book and, as a result, I've really agonized over how to rate and review this book.
The first 40 pages of this book were well-written but not interesting to me, as it read much like a memoir and I'm not a big fan of memoirs. I almost put the book down at that point, but decided to give it a fair try and I'm glad I did, as it picked up at about the time he went to work for the elderly woman. I really enjoyed the relationship they shared and really came to like the main character.
There's a turning point in this book where the character experiences a life-changing situation and, with it, the writing style took a complete right turn. I understand why the writing style changed, but I can't say that it made the book any more enjoyable.
Overall, this was an okay book. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not sure I'll be one of those waiting for the author's next release.
October 12, 2018
Interesting set up: boy from impoverished rural background makes it out, gets into Harvard, and prevails...but then hits a dead end. Looking for a job, he answers an add for someone to engage in conversation. Answering the add, he meets a little old lady, who lives alone in a giant mansion filled with antiques and invaluable paintings and....books: a library o make any book lover's hears swoon. He quickly moves in, only to discover that the old lady is very ill with a mysterious incurable disease, and a nephew who sponges off of her every chance he gets.
From this simple set up, Kellerman spins a fascinating horror story. he problem I had with the book was that the set up took up by far the largest part of the book, and was drawn out way too long. He stretches to add lots of irrelevant details, and then forces gratuitous mention of them later in the story. This makes part of the book read more like an exercise in foreshadowing than a gripping thriller.
That criticism aside, there is enough action, and enough twists and turns, to keep me flipping the pages.
From this simple set up, Kellerman spins a fascinating horror story. he problem I had with the book was that the set up took up by far the largest part of the book, and was drawn out way too long. He stretches to add lots of irrelevant details, and then forces gratuitous mention of them later in the story. This makes part of the book read more like an exercise in foreshadowing than a gripping thriller.
That criticism aside, there is enough action, and enough twists and turns, to keep me flipping the pages.
October 21, 2012
***********spoiler warning********************
I read this book after devouring The Brutal Art and was sorely disappointed. The book is rather flabby, and the subject matter (intellectual student committing murder) invites a rather unflattering comparison with Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
As a literary exploration of the concept of free will, it would have worked better for me if all the characters were less manipulative and self-centered. Joseph Geist is insufferable, not so much because of his acts, but because his constant whiney self-rightousness becomes incredibly boring. The scenes where he disposed of the bodies were turgid rather than suspenseful.
Even for someone as clearly emotionally illerate as him, that at no point he sees through Alma's (the old woman who hires him) controlling and manipulative behaviour seems rather unbelievable. Her nephew, Eric, comes across as little more than a cardboard cut-out.
Overall, an unsatisfying read.
I read this book after devouring The Brutal Art and was sorely disappointed. The book is rather flabby, and the subject matter (intellectual student committing murder) invites a rather unflattering comparison with Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
As a literary exploration of the concept of free will, it would have worked better for me if all the characters were less manipulative and self-centered. Joseph Geist is insufferable, not so much because of his acts, but because his constant whiney self-rightousness becomes incredibly boring. The scenes where he disposed of the bodies were turgid rather than suspenseful.
Even for someone as clearly emotionally illerate as him, that at no point he sees through Alma's (the old woman who hires him) controlling and manipulative behaviour seems rather unbelievable. Her nephew, Eric, comes across as little more than a cardboard cut-out.
Overall, an unsatisfying read.
December 26, 2010
This was a very fast paced suspense thriller. It grabbed me from the first pages. Nothing seems to be going right for graduate student Joseph Geist. His girlfriend kicked him out his thesis is going nowhere and he,s lost all his funding. Desperate to make some money. He responds to a mysterious ad placed in the campus newspaper. When he meets the elderly placer of the ad, Alma Spielman, he believes he has found a kindred spirit and when she asks him to move in, Joseph is determined to hold onto life with his intellectual soul mate forever. Especiallyy after he meets her greedy grand nephew Eric. This is definitely a unique story. And in the end Joseph gets what he wants in a very unexpected way!
April 10, 2010
I think a lot of Goodreads reviewers expected this to be a conventional thriller or mystery, like the ones written by Jesse's famous dad, and not surprisingly they were disappointed. It's actually a dark, moody character study, and if I had to compare it somebody it would Ruth Rendell at her creepiest. With a little Poe, Dostoevsky, and Tarantino mixed in. It builds slowly, but I read the last 200 pages in one gulp, finishing at 11:45 at night (and my friends will know how bizarre THAT is).
June 25, 2010
This book was totally not what I expected.
My mother has been sending me pretty formulaic suspense novels, which I've had a hard time getting in to.
This one captivated me from the first few pages and it was a "stay up 'til it's done" kind of book. Never in a million years would I have guessed how this book ends up.
There is some suspense in the last quarter of the book, but mainly it is a psychological book that you don't realize is a psychological thriller until you're totally absorbed into it.
While not a light beach read, this novel would be a good companion for a stormy night.
My mother has been sending me pretty formulaic suspense novels, which I've had a hard time getting in to.
This one captivated me from the first few pages and it was a "stay up 'til it's done" kind of book. Never in a million years would I have guessed how this book ends up.
There is some suspense in the last quarter of the book, but mainly it is a psychological book that you don't realize is a psychological thriller until you're totally absorbed into it.
While not a light beach read, this novel would be a good companion for a stormy night.
December 8, 2020
Too many words, blah blah, long winded philosophical jibber jabber, just tell the story already. A very frustrating read, but since I’m no quitter I trudged ahead.
August 27, 2017
Gruselig. Eigentlich fängt es recht harmlos an, ein ewiger Philosophiestudent, der nach Irren und Wirren eine verwandte Seele in einer älteren Dame findet, mit der er erst nur diskutiert und bei der er dann auch wohnt.
Doch dann entwickeln sich die Ereignisse auf eine Art und Weise, die ihn immer tiefer in einen Strudel zieht, der ihn ins Verderben reißt. Die zweite Hälfte des Buches kam überraschend daher, und der Anfang ließ die Geschehnisse nicht vermuten. Immer tiefer verstrickt sich der Protagonist in seinen selbstverursachten Problemen, bis schließlich das unvermeidliche Ende eintritt - und wie beim Yin und Yang eine Erlösung andeutet.
Interessant und nachdenklich.
Doch dann entwickeln sich die Ereignisse auf eine Art und Weise, die ihn immer tiefer in einen Strudel zieht, der ihn ins Verderben reißt. Die zweite Hälfte des Buches kam überraschend daher, und der Anfang ließ die Geschehnisse nicht vermuten. Immer tiefer verstrickt sich der Protagonist in seinen selbstverursachten Problemen, bis schließlich das unvermeidliche Ende eintritt - und wie beim Yin und Yang eine Erlösung andeutet.
Interessant und nachdenklich.
December 29, 2017
I had this book a couple of years before I read it, kept putting it off as I didn't think I'd like it (so why did I buy it in the first place, I ask myself?) Anyhow, surprisingly I found it quite an addictive read. While some of the philosophy passed me by on the whole I was quite gripped.
It was an interesting story around the nature of freewill showing how people don't always react to a situation as they would expect themselves to - I did find myself going "Noooo...what the hell are doing Joseph"! A really good read, give it a go, like me you may be pleasantly surprised.
Though I do have one criticism/question...what was actually wrong with Alma?
It was an interesting story around the nature of freewill showing how people don't always react to a situation as they would expect themselves to - I did find myself going "Noooo...what the hell are doing Joseph"! A really good read, give it a go, like me you may be pleasantly surprised.
Though I do have one criticism/question...what was actually wrong with Alma?
May 27, 2024
Bon départ avec suspense, toutefois vers le milieu, longueur, perdu un peu au travers... trop dinfo de mots... et fin en quête de poisson (bâclée) comme si l'écrivain avait voulu se débarrasser rapidement sans fignolage. Fin décevante .
February 24, 2019
Very ambivalent over this book. Did I like it or not - I’m still not sure. Beyond Sartre, I know nothing about philosophy so I felt I was reading a textbook. Well written but depressing.
April 29, 2025
This is a strange story but held my interest cover to cover. I enjoyed the writing style.
September 11, 2013
I woke up and discovered that Jonathan Kellerman's son Jesse writes mystery/thriller/suspense novels after finding his name next to his father's (and mother's and now his kid sister's) at the library. What a wonderful writer! The novel tracks Joseph Geist, a Harvard grad philosophy student from a wrong-side-of-the-tracks background whose life is unraveling (no more teaching job, can't finish his dissertation, booted out by his girlfriend and Harvard). Desperate for cash, he becomes a conversationalist to a refined, brilliant and lovely woman in her seventies. At some point she invites him to move in, and all kinds of harrowing complications ensue. The characters feel 3D, the writing has wit and depth, and the pacing is perfect. And I don't even care for suspense novels. A few complaints. I would've appreciated a little more philosophical repartee, something the reader could've bit her teeth into. Also, more significantly, there were serious plausibility issues toward the end, which I shouldn't point out for spoiler alert reasons. It felt as though the author had lost control of his book. But even still, it was a memorable and gripping read, and now I'm checking out Jesse's other books, too.
June 27, 2018
Gripping, Original and Genre defying
Being a big fan of his mum and dad I came upon this book in a charity shop and decided I'd give it a go.I expected, admittedly (for which I felt a bit guilty about afterwards) Jesse to be an inferior version of his parents, probably still working on finding his own voice. I was happily proved wrong and the novel took me completely by surprise. As the story unfolds you're completely sucked in, not just because Jesse's writing is fresh and deceptively easy going (for such a dark subject), but because you have no idea where the story's going to take you. I hate predictable plots you can see coming a mile off, It's not very often you find a book that intrigues and surprises from beginning to end, but this did. Twisty turny stories alone are no good without decent characterisation though and another of Jesse's strengths is how real and humanly fallible his heros (I use the term loosely) are, making what should be an unrealistically OTT situation completely plausible. I found myself actually questioning what I'd do if it were me as the main character made his dubious choices. If you're into crime, mystery, thrillers, psychodrama's and are looking for something new, this novel is ALL of these things and NONE of them. You'll see what I mean.
Being a big fan of his mum and dad I came upon this book in a charity shop and decided I'd give it a go.I expected, admittedly (for which I felt a bit guilty about afterwards) Jesse to be an inferior version of his parents, probably still working on finding his own voice. I was happily proved wrong and the novel took me completely by surprise. As the story unfolds you're completely sucked in, not just because Jesse's writing is fresh and deceptively easy going (for such a dark subject), but because you have no idea where the story's going to take you. I hate predictable plots you can see coming a mile off, It's not very often you find a book that intrigues and surprises from beginning to end, but this did. Twisty turny stories alone are no good without decent characterisation though and another of Jesse's strengths is how real and humanly fallible his heros (I use the term loosely) are, making what should be an unrealistically OTT situation completely plausible. I found myself actually questioning what I'd do if it were me as the main character made his dubious choices. If you're into crime, mystery, thrillers, psychodrama's and are looking for something new, this novel is ALL of these things and NONE of them. You'll see what I mean.
March 20, 2010
A first-reads win.
The Executor is a psychological thriller, or more accurately a philosophical thriller, that kept my interest throughout its well-written pages. The author has created a fascinating protagonist who, if not necessarily likable, deserves sympathy and even a little admiration. Without giving any of the plot away, the interest in this story lies not with what he does but how he rationalizes and process his decisions.An odd but successful ploy for a suspense thriller. Those who crave action will probably not find this novel satisfying. But if you like a story with a well-developed protagonist and a novel that doesn't take the usual turns, then you will be well rewarded. I was especially thrilled by the crisp and thoughtful prose whose only flaw is in the annoying changes from from third person to second person in the climatic scenes. No, I have not read anything by his more famous parents, Faye and Jonathan Kellerman but I will be looking for Jesse Kellerman's three previous novels.
The Executor is a psychological thriller, or more accurately a philosophical thriller, that kept my interest throughout its well-written pages. The author has created a fascinating protagonist who, if not necessarily likable, deserves sympathy and even a little admiration. Without giving any of the plot away, the interest in this story lies not with what he does but how he rationalizes and process his decisions.An odd but successful ploy for a suspense thriller. Those who crave action will probably not find this novel satisfying. But if you like a story with a well-developed protagonist and a novel that doesn't take the usual turns, then you will be well rewarded. I was especially thrilled by the crisp and thoughtful prose whose only flaw is in the annoying changes from from third person to second person in the climatic scenes. No, I have not read anything by his more famous parents, Faye and Jonathan Kellerman but I will be looking for Jesse Kellerman's three previous novels.
July 5, 2012
What's great: The writing! Jesse Kellerman's writing totally rocks. He's descriptive, witty, funny, horrifying, and an expert at creating suspense. I couldn't put this book down & read it straight through, and, despite Mr. Kellerman's flaws as a writer (see below), I will read anything he writes.
What's totally, completely annoying: The 1st person (30+ male) narrator is ultimately a complete dunderhead. Another of his titles, "Trouble," suffers from the same flaw ("Genius" hints at it - this is his best book), meaning that the reader is often practically screaming, "Nooo!!!" as the *hero* yet again does something completely, annoyingly stupid (or fails to do what he really should do, thereby being completely, annoyingly stupid by sitting on his hands). This might make for a more exciting plot - after all, if the narrator always did the right thing, the book might be oh-so-boring & we can't have that. However, a REALLY good writer will have a reasonably intelligent hero(ine) AND also figure out how to have an exciting plot. My $.02.
What's totally, completely annoying: The 1st person (30+ male) narrator is ultimately a complete dunderhead. Another of his titles, "Trouble," suffers from the same flaw ("Genius" hints at it - this is his best book), meaning that the reader is often practically screaming, "Nooo!!!" as the *hero* yet again does something completely, annoyingly stupid (or fails to do what he really should do, thereby being completely, annoyingly stupid by sitting on his hands). This might make for a more exciting plot - after all, if the narrator always did the right thing, the book might be oh-so-boring & we can't have that. However, a REALLY good writer will have a reasonably intelligent hero(ine) AND also figure out how to have an exciting plot. My $.02.
May 1, 2015
I won this book in a first reads giveaway.
I found The Executor to be enjoyable reading, especially the first two-thirds or so. The main problem with it is that should not be considered a suspense thriller, as it was neither suspenseful nor thrilling. However, as a character study, it is successful.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. The book is well written, intelligent and witty. I also liked the way the style changes a bit as Joseph changes throughout the progression of the story. It's a little stream-of-consciousness with a bit of greediness and a whole mess of free will debate thrown in for good measure.
The last act seemed rather rushed, especially in comparison to the rest of the book. It almost didn't feel as though the payoff was worth the investment, although I think that is a little too extreme. The final chapter acted as an epilogue but it contained information vital to the plot. It would have been better if some it had been fleshed out more.
I found The Executor to be enjoyable reading, especially the first two-thirds or so. The main problem with it is that should not be considered a suspense thriller, as it was neither suspenseful nor thrilling. However, as a character study, it is successful.
I enjoyed the author's writing style. The book is well written, intelligent and witty. I also liked the way the style changes a bit as Joseph changes throughout the progression of the story. It's a little stream-of-consciousness with a bit of greediness and a whole mess of free will debate thrown in for good measure.
The last act seemed rather rushed, especially in comparison to the rest of the book. It almost didn't feel as though the payoff was worth the investment, although I think that is a little too extreme. The final chapter acted as an epilogue but it contained information vital to the plot. It would have been better if some it had been fleshed out more.
April 18, 2010
I am a real fan of Jesse Kellerman; he is twice the writer of either of his parents. In this novel he tried something different - a sort of rewrite of Crime and Punishment. It is certainly Dostoevskian. Here a down and out philosophy student is taken in by an old woman, commits murder, and is undone by guilt amid ruminations about free will and destiny. It is not my favorite of his novels (that would be The Genius),but it is an interesting, unique, and mostly successful attempt at a philosophical novel.
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