The Executor

I love this guy! He is fantastic but this was just not that great. So much useless history and the good parts were way far apart. I will not be passing this one on to friends. It was 2.5 stars. 3 was generous.

Most Kellerman books are mystery’s. Easy relaxing to read. This is dry and too philosophical. I probably won’t finish this book. Which is not usually me. Maybe I can donate it. Have

You need to understand. I am a fan of the Kellerman mysteries, by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, so when their son's books appeared, I ignored them, thinking that with their connections they probably arranged for his books to be published even though they were no good. Then on Friday, I was at the public library on my way to the gym, and I saw this book. Seeing nothing I liked better, I decided to try it. After two pages, I was disappointed. This wasn't a crime novel. But I was stuck. I was on the treadmill exercising and reading. I had only spent five minutes on the treadmill and I had fifty-five minutes to go, and this was the only book that I had in hand. So I continued. And the more I got into the novel, the more Jesse Kellerman pulled me in. When I got off the treadmill and made my way to the shower, I had decided to finish the book. I had read thirty seven pages during the hour. The book is about Joseph Geist - the German "geist" means spirit, something Joseph lacks. He is fond of one half of a book end pair that he found in a used merchandise store, a half a bust of the notorious German genius philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche - who descends into madness in the last years of his life. But Joseph, although smart is only half a Nietzsche. These are my comments, not the author's. Joseph, who grew up with an abusive father, an overly passive mother, a brother who escaped the family by committing suicide - or did he? - is in Harvard University, unable to write a clear coherent dissertation on philosophy to get his PhD, even though he has over 800 pages of rambling nonsense. He answers an unusual newspaper ad from a near 80 year old once beautiful, certainly intelligent and rich woman, Alma, who wants to hire someone to come to her house daily for intellectual conversation. Alma, who grew up in Vienna and who came from a good family, had a thesis which she completed many years earlier on a philosophical subject. The thesis was never submitted for a PhD. I think of Alma Mahler when I read about this Alma. She was the beautiful very talented wife of the famous composer who never let her develop her own talent or publish her own musical compositions. But Kellerman may not have made this association. The book has other interesting characters that are finely drawn. A girl he lives with who throws him out when he suffers from dissertation mental block. Will she later want to take him back? Alma's nephew, as despicable as she is gracious, who comes to visit his aunt frequently to ask for money. How far will he go to get money? There is murder, of course, but not in the Jonathan or Faye sense, more like Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. So, while I only read thirty-seven pages during my first hour into the book, by Friday night, I was going at the rate of fifty pages and hour, and by Saturday morning, I was speeding along to the end at sixty five pages and hour. It was so good.

Here is a Great Novel. The prose is mellifluous, unimpeachable. The story is timeless, perfectly executed and oddly (and, yes, disturbingly) moving. I did not want the novel to end. I still don't want the novel to end. Read it.

Mr. Kellerman is a splendid author, and one would never imagine the protagonist of "The Executor" to end up where he does by the novel's end. Joseph Geist is, at the outset of this story, a meek, mild-mannered philosophy major at Harvard whose life has come apart. His academic career is stalled at the threshold of his attaining his doctorate; his romance with the ethereal Yasmina has ruptured beyond repair; and, as a direct consequence of the latter, he is also homeless. Desparate for a new beginning, he responds to an intriguing ad in the student newspaper. "Wanted: Conversationalist". He replies and meets the reclusive Alma Spielmann. Ther result of their involvement makes for the bulk of the plot; Joseph is transmogrified in ways both unpleasant and profound. An excellent read.

Harvard University kicks out thirty year old graduate student Joseph Geist for slacking; the philosophy major was doing none of his class work. Reeling from that blow though he knows he is at fault, Joseph takes a second shot to the gut when his girlfriend ends their longtime relationship. Needing gainful employment that does not require work, he answers a personal ad in the Harvard Crimson. Elderly Austrian expatriate Alma Spielmann seeks a meaningful conversationalist to discuss and argue issues. He answers the call and is hired. They become more than just employer-employee as the pair becomes friends. She invites him to move into her Cambridge house for free room and board; he accepts her offer. However, Alma's nasty nephew Eric resents the non-family freeloader though ironically he depends on his aunt's generosity for his finance and he occasionally visits her to see if the old hag's health is failing. This is a superb psychological suspense thriller that grips the audience once the triangle is set as fans of Jesse Kellerman anticipate something bad is going to happen but wonder to whom. The three key players come across as real with Joseph caring for his employer and Alma for her employee with angry Eric stirring the mix. Jesse Kellerman is at the author's best with this strong character driven thriller that will readers wondering throughout who if any will be left standing. Harriet Klausner

Here is my highest compliment for any book. Book A is a book by an author I have never read or heard of, and of a genre (psychological thriller) that is not necessarily one of my favorites. It arrives in the mail and I pick it up and begin reading... The next day Book B arrives. Book B is written by one of my favorite authors, apre-ordered with much anticipation because author and genre are my favorite and I couldn't wait to go on a new journey with favorite author B! Now for the compliment - Book B of favorite author sits for TWO WEEKS because I can't put down Book A! Obviously, Jesse Kellerman's THE EXECUTOR is Book A, and despite being of a genre I don't normally enjoy, I could not put this book down. His characters and their unique situation grab you in the opening chapter, and do not let you go until you have long since turned the last page. The story's twists and turns are so subtle you don't see them coming - then you do - then you don't - then you think you were wrong - and live up to the genre of psychological thriller. Well written, unique story line, likable main characters and a plot that keeps you coming back for more. Isn't that, after all, everything you want in good fiction? I highly recommend THE EXECUTOR. If any piece of fiction can cause me to ignore a Sue Miller book for two weeks, you know it's good!