Synopsis
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.
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Review
From the author of In the Kingdom of Air comes A Perfect Execution, the tale of Jeremiah Bembo, England's greatest hangman. Propelled by a murder-mystery plot, the book is more the tale of the discovery of the hangman's true human identity than it is just a conventional search for the true identity of a murderer. Rich with metaphor--Bembo comes from a family of puppeteers and Binding doesn't shy away from references to manipulating the strings of destiny--and tautly executed, A Perfect Execution does an admirable job of getting inside the head of an executioner and rendering him both believable and believably human.
From the Publisher
Executioner Solomon Straw is unlike most in his profession. He comes to his calling out of love and compassion. After witnessing a prolonged and torturous killing of a downed German pilot, he vows to make death easy and painless for the condemned.
Straw perfects his art and is universally acclaimed as the best in England. His carefully chosen professional pseudonym ("Solomon" for wisdom and "Straw" for the fragility of human life) goes far beyond concealing his real identity from the curious and the vengeful: It allows him to isolate his caring and his passion, keeping them at bay even from his wife.
The unquestionable appeal of A Perfect Execution lies in Tim Binding's uncanny ability to create a novel of rare emotional power from cruel, even macabre events. The chillingly suspenseful plot and the sheer beauty of the language hold the reader mesmerized. The tightly-woven, often bizarre, circumstances of the characters' lives trigger a variety of responses--tears, joy, fear, and anger are often the results of reading a single page. As a reading experience, and as an exploration of punishment and compassion, A Perfect Execution is a novel like no other.
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A Perfect Execution : A Novel
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A Perfect Execution
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A Perfect Execution
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A Perfect Execution : A Novel
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A Perfect Execution
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A Perfect Execution
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Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780330345644
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A Perfect Execution
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Stated first edition with full number line. Light shelf wear to boards and dust jacket. Binding square and tight. No loose pages or creasing to spine. No highlighting, notation, or remainder marks. Thank you for supporting Last Word Books and independent bookstores. Seller Inventory # 210436409
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A perfect execution : a novel
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Picador, London, 1996
ISBN 10: 0330345648
ISBN 13: 9780330345644
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Unread book, tight, square corners, first edition stated, full numberline 10-1. Unclipped dustjacket (priced at 15.99 lb), no flaws in removable mylar archival protector. Book shipped well packed in a box and USPS tracking number available if requested by buyer. Seller Inventory # 002109
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A Perfect Execution
Published by
Picador, London, 1996
ISBN 10: 0330345648
ISBN 13: 9780330345644
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Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. A Good Read ships from Toronto and Niagara Falls, NY - customers outside of North America please allow two to three weeks for delivery. A few wrinkles on edges. Light tanning to text. Some soiling on top edge. ; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 2533
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