The Hangman's Daughter

I didn't know too much about this book before I started it, and I probably should've researched it a little more thoroughly. I like historical fiction a lot, and while crime thrillers aren't my favorite type of books, I don't dislike them. But I really struggled to finish this book.

Despite the English title, the hangman is the main character here, and he is an unbelievably tough guy. I understand some people like that in a hero, and I used to seek out books like that too, but it just isn't my thing anymore. I would not say he's one-dimensional or even totally sympathetic. One of the things I do like about the book is that most of the major characters are a bit morally grey. He's just overpowered.

The plot is pretty good; it kept me guessing, and some of the revelations really surprised me, even near the end. The hangman's daughter, Magdalena, is important and has some point-of-view sections, but her suitor Zimon is much more central to the plot. He isn't a tough guy type of character at all, which does help to balance out the narrative, but he comes across as kind of whiny, compared to the hangman. Magdalena's in peril several times (threatened with rape), and I know it's a common plot device in thrillers that things are serious because female characters are in danger. But it's a little irritating to read, especially since I'm not really used to this genre.

I also feel like this translation needed one more pass by an editor who was a native English speaker. The phrasing is so often awkward that it took me out of the story.

It's interesting that the author wrote about his ancestors, and overall, I'm glad I read this book. I learned a lot about the function of hangmen, as well as doctors and midwives, in this time and place. It would make a good movie or TV show. I can understand why it's such a popular book, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to readers who have slightly different tastes than my own.