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Description
"The Executioner's Song" is a two-volume novel that tells the story of Gary Gilmore, a convicted murderer who was executed in Utah in January 1977. The book chronicles Gilmore's crimes, his trial, and the events leading to his execution, including his controversial choice to waive his appeals and request the death penalty. The narrative also follows the lawyers, witnesses, and family members involved in the case.
Quick Summary
Based on the true story of the last person executed in America before the death penalty moratorium, this massive true crime novel captures the shocking, controversial tale of Gary Gilmore and the firestorm his execution caused in 1977. Kids who love gritty, real-life dramas and courtroom tension will be drawn into the intense legal battles, the media circus, and the complex psychological portrait of a man who desperately wanted to die. If your kid likes intense, boundary-pushing documentaries or adult true crime podcasts, they'll be fascinated by this literary deep dive into one of America's most controversial executions. Given the explicit adult content including extreme profanity, graphic situations, and racial slurs, this is absolutely not for younger readers and should only be considered by mature high school seniors or adults.