When I read junior Kellerman's (Jesse Kellerman) The Brutal Art, there was a thought that left in me for a long time. The literature in the brutal art had a very expressive tone that I believed which grasps the mind of a reader, who is enthusiastic in knowing the deep and dark grey areas of characters in a crime-novel.
We all have read the sadistic criminal mind, a heroic detective on the run with an appalling story of his/her love-life or for even much worse, the antagonist may look cleverer than we think.
Somehow JK's books seem to be a bit different from other crime-novelists. At least in the Executor what grips a reader's mind would be the main character, Joseph Geist's narration.
Starting from where his girl friend throws him out firstly for unknown reasons, Geist was forced to make the decision of facing facts. He had lead a life with basic necessities whose expectations wasnt much higher, but had a goal for finishing his dissertation in the subject of philosophy. He narrates his childhood, a couple of traumatic memories in a more sensible and human way that even leads the reader to be sympathetic. It assures the reader of his environment, his experiences that shaped this young philosophical mind.
There were many aspects that amazed me in this particular story. First, the literature. It had the kind of a style that suits a character from a world of academia. Less interested in the outside world, perceived that world in a very different approach, subjugated by the values drawn from the 'philosophical' discipline. It blended really well with the scenario and Kellerman in fact has made a great effort to make the reader comprehend Geist's mindset, values and thoughts.
Then the philosophy. Its interesting, exciting yet cold, grim and grey. I had to say it that way with those exact terms. It educates the reader why Geist had this inclination to believe in a philosopher who believed that God does not exist. Geists past experiences, losing his brother even though they were raised in a catholic, church-going environment explaining probably his atheistic notion later. Quite circumstantial yet unsaid decision for his choice in not believing in God.
Our experiences shape in to what we believe don't they? Interestingly, they can be relative to you and me. But in a more objective tone, I'd say it's easy to believe what we comprehend, it's easy to believe what shapes our thinking, not something that's not higher in understanding no matter how intellectual we think we are.
Also what fascinated me was the transition. As predictable and normal I was a bit sad at the sudden change in Geist, which I dont want to explain here. Probably that's the surprise element, both for the character and the reader.
The Executor is not what it sounds. At the end you question how Geist has desensitized the world around him. More than ever, for the first time I feel there is a justice done to a so called isolated criminal in a super secured correctional facility. It actually reminds me we all are criminals, we all are guilty of something, we all are imperfect with our own sense of idealistic thinking that lead us to believe we are perfect in some way. Even though the truth is otherwise. Us, Humans.
It was an intellectual, philosophical journey reading this book. I am fascinated with Geitsts question, What is freedom? What is choice? It makes you think. Recommend reading this if you like some serious crime-literature. May sound his job is a bit of an amateur. But don't fantastic work begin with amateurs?
Don't forget to share your thoughts if you read this, My rating 8.5/10
Keep writing Mr. Jesse Kellerman.
