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on August 3, 2013
Orphan children are being found murdered in Schongau. To add to the townspeople's terror, the small victims have what looks like a witch's sign tattooed on their skin. It's okay, though- the officials of this 17th century Bavarian town have it covered. They have the town midwife in custody. Surely she is the culprit, what with all those herbs and powders she uses. She'll be tortured (part of the contemporary legal process) and either confess or die from the torture. If she confesses she'll be summarily executed and everything will be all wrapped up nicely and neatly for the good leaders of Schongau.
The unenviable task of torture and execution will fall to local hangman Jakob Kuisl. Jakob, however, is a man with a strong, caring character that is in stark contrast with his profession. The midwife delivered his own beloved children, and he has known her for years. He is sure she is innocent. He sets about trying to find the truth, while attempting to slow down the wheels of justice (or at least the town's version of "justice"). His mission is aided by his daughter Magdalena and Simon, a young doctor and admirer of Magdalena's. What follows is an engrossing story with complex, memorable characters, plenty of action, and even a smattering of romance.
The main protagonists are brought to life beautifully. The struggle Jakob has with his profession is particularly compelling. He is basically a kind, brave man who is devoted to his family and is willing to risk life and limb to uncover the truth which will exonerate the woman he believes to be innocent. If he is not successful, it is he himself who will be required to tie her to the stake and light the fire. He has no choice, as the book explains that people did not move fluidly in and out of professions as they do today. They were born into families of bakers, physicians, stoneworkers, and in this case-hangmen.
His daughter Magdalena is an intelligent, independent girl who, though despised by the community as the hangman's daughter, remains sure of herself and her own worth. There is no doubt that this is part of the attraction she holds for young Simon, who is also an individual who thinks for himself in a time when doing so (especially in the medical field) is liable to draw scorn and even suspicion.
This book is likely to appeal to lovers of period novels, mysteries, thrillers, and crime dramas. The book might also appeal to older teens as two of the main characters are young adults. The translation seems to have lost none of the original German version's quality, and the story moves along quickly with a plotline that will capture the reader and characters who will etch themselves into the reader's memory.
The unenviable task of torture and execution will fall to local hangman Jakob Kuisl. Jakob, however, is a man with a strong, caring character that is in stark contrast with his profession. The midwife delivered his own beloved children, and he has known her for years. He is sure she is innocent. He sets about trying to find the truth, while attempting to slow down the wheels of justice (or at least the town's version of "justice"). His mission is aided by his daughter Magdalena and Simon, a young doctor and admirer of Magdalena's. What follows is an engrossing story with complex, memorable characters, plenty of action, and even a smattering of romance.
The main protagonists are brought to life beautifully. The struggle Jakob has with his profession is particularly compelling. He is basically a kind, brave man who is devoted to his family and is willing to risk life and limb to uncover the truth which will exonerate the woman he believes to be innocent. If he is not successful, it is he himself who will be required to tie her to the stake and light the fire. He has no choice, as the book explains that people did not move fluidly in and out of professions as they do today. They were born into families of bakers, physicians, stoneworkers, and in this case-hangmen.
His daughter Magdalena is an intelligent, independent girl who, though despised by the community as the hangman's daughter, remains sure of herself and her own worth. There is no doubt that this is part of the attraction she holds for young Simon, who is also an individual who thinks for himself in a time when doing so (especially in the medical field) is liable to draw scorn and even suspicion.
This book is likely to appeal to lovers of period novels, mysteries, thrillers, and crime dramas. The book might also appeal to older teens as two of the main characters are young adults. The translation seems to have lost none of the original German version's quality, and the story moves along quickly with a plotline that will capture the reader and characters who will etch themselves into the reader's memory.
on July 30, 2013
It took me a long time to finish Oliver Potsczh's riveting historical novel, "The Hangman's Daughter." The beginning was so exciting that it was hard to put down, but after that it slowed down and got a bit tedious. I put it down for a while and then went back to finish it and I'm glad that I did. From about the 50% point on, I found the book to be exciting, fast-paced and with an urgency to solve the problems and mysteries that had developed over the course of the first half.
The fact that the author is a direct descendant of the executioner's family, Jakob Kuisl,from Bavaria makes it more intriguing. Potsczh, a scriptwriter, has done much research into his ancestors and also into the town in Bavaria where the Kuisls were located. The picture we get of a 1600's German hangman's life is excellent, despite the fact that the hangman was considered not fit to be around the rest of society and lived off to himself with his wife and children. Oldest daughter, Magdalena Kuisl plays a crucial part in the story. Interesting, too, is the new beverage he enjoyed - coffee.
The story begins with Jacob Kuisl assisting his father, the town's hangman, at a beheading as an apprentice. Jakob has a concience but he figures if he didn't perform this job, someone else would. Although Jakob brings death to the sentenced, he is also interested in medicine and healing and many villagers come to him for herbal remedies and other medicinal help. So on the one hand he kills, and on the other he heals.
The town is in an uproar because a boy has been dragged out of the river, dying, and other children have gone missing and have been killed. The children had all been at the house of the midwife, and she is eventually accused of witchcraft. The town aldermen don't really care if she is innocent or guilty but only care about lining their pockets. Kuisl has the job of torturing the midwife, but he has compassion
for her, too.
The chapters leading up to the end of the book are very exciting and action-packed with a duel and a desperate search for two children. The setting is excellent for such action and it is at this point that it is very hard to put down. I have no disputes with the ending and found it very satisfying. There are three other "Hangman's Daughter" novels after this one, and I'm anxious to read them all.
The fact that the author is a direct descendant of the executioner's family, Jakob Kuisl,from Bavaria makes it more intriguing. Potsczh, a scriptwriter, has done much research into his ancestors and also into the town in Bavaria where the Kuisls were located. The picture we get of a 1600's German hangman's life is excellent, despite the fact that the hangman was considered not fit to be around the rest of society and lived off to himself with his wife and children. Oldest daughter, Magdalena Kuisl plays a crucial part in the story. Interesting, too, is the new beverage he enjoyed - coffee.
The story begins with Jacob Kuisl assisting his father, the town's hangman, at a beheading as an apprentice. Jakob has a concience but he figures if he didn't perform this job, someone else would. Although Jakob brings death to the sentenced, he is also interested in medicine and healing and many villagers come to him for herbal remedies and other medicinal help. So on the one hand he kills, and on the other he heals.
The town is in an uproar because a boy has been dragged out of the river, dying, and other children have gone missing and have been killed. The children had all been at the house of the midwife, and she is eventually accused of witchcraft. The town aldermen don't really care if she is innocent or guilty but only care about lining their pockets. Kuisl has the job of torturing the midwife, but he has compassion
for her, too.
The chapters leading up to the end of the book are very exciting and action-packed with a duel and a desperate search for two children. The setting is excellent for such action and it is at this point that it is very hard to put down. I have no disputes with the ending and found it very satisfying. There are three other "Hangman's Daughter" novels after this one, and I'm anxious to read them all.
on September 26, 2015
I thought it was great. The historical aspects were intriguing and I thought the mystery was well written. Too bad some people think this was overrated. It's a clever story and I think it may depend on your own interests. I didn't read it when it was hyped so I guess I had the opportunity to simply enjoy a good story for what it was. I also found out a LOT more on medieval torture devices.
on September 17, 2014
Gruesome. I suppose the author had started out thinking he was going to write about out - of - date professions. There is the cooper, the whipmaker, the blacksmith, the horse carriage builder, the barber that does surgery. But when it gets to the hangman... I agree it is an out of date profession... and ... No authority hangs criminals any longer. I thought it would be more about the daughter and not the hangman and the town of idiots that railroad its citizens to the gallows at a whim. Just not believable.
on November 1, 2016
This book is causing insomnia and other troubles - I need to vacuum, dust, do laundry and walk my dog - only the dog gets walked. I'll have to reward an hour of chores with 2 (maybe 3) hours of reading. My friends ask why I don't meet up with them lately.
I'm so glad this was recommended to me by a friend with a Masters degree in History, I thought it would be a bit dry but factual - I never expected the strong characters nor the storyline that twisted and turned.
I am enjoying every page and stay up at night until my eyelids droop - sometimes on the couch, sometimes in bed.
I am VERY happy knowing there are 3 more to indulge in!
I'm so glad this was recommended to me by a friend with a Masters degree in History, I thought it would be a bit dry but factual - I never expected the strong characters nor the storyline that twisted and turned.
I am enjoying every page and stay up at night until my eyelids droop - sometimes on the couch, sometimes in bed.
I am VERY happy knowing there are 3 more to indulge in!
on July 15, 2017
What a fun read this was. Fresh, intelligent, and compelling from start to finish. By the time you are done reading this book, you will have fallen in love with the town's hangman, who also served as apothecary, healer, and detective, too.
on January 7, 2014
I am rating the first book in the series but what I am going to talk about isnt VERY apparent until books 2-3. I think this book was originally written for the LGBT community, but the author or publisher changed the names around and made it for the general population so as not to lose anyone who may not be interested in LGBT material. I say that because the story isn't actually about the Hangman's Daughter, the protagonist is actually the young, flamboyant, doctor Simon and I guess? his love affair with the hangman's daughter. However, there isn't very much to their love affair. Simon goes to great lengths to talk about what he is wearing, what other young men are wearing and how he wants the newest fashions and will live in poverty just to have silk pants, and when he talks about Magdalena (the hangman's daughter) its like he is talking about his sister. If you are just interested in the adventure of the story, then this is a good read. If you are wanting the love affair to be something you root for, you are left very much wanting.
I gave this book 3 stars because I was looking for part of the love affair and was disappointed.
I gave this book 3 stars because I was looking for part of the love affair and was disappointed.
on April 13, 2014
SUMMARY OF REVIEW: "The Hangman's Daughter" is not a bad book, but I'm certainly not raving about it either. To the author's credit, I did finish the book; therefore, there was certainly enough of a storyline to keep me from tossing the book aside. That said, I don't see myself reading the second book: The Dark Monk (The Hangman's Daughter #2 [Die Henkerstochter und der schwarze Mönch] The Dark Monk (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale) Admittedly, books translated into English pose a unique challenge to reviewers, perhaps the problem with Hangman has more to do with the translator than the writer, though I suspect the problem mostly lies with the author because of the anemic plot and character development. Overall, I find "Hangman" to be an overrated 3 star novel with thinly developed characters and a plot that could have been full of rich and exciting developments, but instead carried on as a monotonous story of an uninteresting village that happens to hang possibly innocent people.
FULL REVIEW: This book should be called "The Hangman" - forget about the daughter. She's not an exceptionally important character in the particular book, the first installment of a series of books entitled "The Hangman's Daughter...". In book 1 (this book), her story fails to captivate me. In fact, the daughter's love interest is more seminal to the book. Perhaps the author should have titled this book (and perhaps the entire series) "The Hangman and His Daughter's Boyfriend."
Jakob, the main character, is the only well developed character in the novel. I genuinely care about his struggles with his job and his pursuit of justice and truth. What Potzsch does right with the development of Jakob, he fails to do with the other characters, most notably the daughter and villains. Upon finishing the book, I couldn't really tell you much about the villains except that they were bad because they did bad things to good people.
As other reviewers have stated, the time in-between actions seems to plod along. Historical thriller? I wasn't thrilled with all the walking in the woods. There is only so much walking from place to place one can write about before it feels redundant and tedious. I don't want to read about someone's slow journey to the other end of the village, I want to read about what happens after they make that journey.
As to the actual prose, perhaps something was lost in translation because the language throughout the book is uninspired and unoriginal. I highlighted no sentences, which is a rarity for me. Like the characters and the plot, the language in The Hangman's Daughter lumbers along. Though this translation gets the story across, it certainly isn't colorful or creative.
Overall, I am giving The Hangman's Daughter (book 1) 3 out of 5 stars, which I feel is actually a generous rating. I did finish the book, though I'm not quite certain why I bothered. It is possible that future books develop this foundational work into a more compelling story, one where the characters and plots are more thoroughly developed; however, I am putting this series to bed, or perhaps to death, swinging from a tree.
Note: The series is as follows: 1) The Hangman's Daughter; 2) The Dark Monk (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale); 3) The Beggar King (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale); 4) The Poisoned Pilgrim (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale).
Tags: Fiction, German, English Translation from German, folk stories, Bavaria, 17th Century, Capital Punishmen, Hanging, Historical Fiction, Monastic Life, Knights Templar, Crusades, International Bestseller, Fiction Series, The Dark Monk, The Beggar King, The Poisoned Pilgrim, Conspiracy
FULL REVIEW: This book should be called "The Hangman" - forget about the daughter. She's not an exceptionally important character in the particular book, the first installment of a series of books entitled "The Hangman's Daughter...". In book 1 (this book), her story fails to captivate me. In fact, the daughter's love interest is more seminal to the book. Perhaps the author should have titled this book (and perhaps the entire series) "The Hangman and His Daughter's Boyfriend."
Jakob, the main character, is the only well developed character in the novel. I genuinely care about his struggles with his job and his pursuit of justice and truth. What Potzsch does right with the development of Jakob, he fails to do with the other characters, most notably the daughter and villains. Upon finishing the book, I couldn't really tell you much about the villains except that they were bad because they did bad things to good people.
As other reviewers have stated, the time in-between actions seems to plod along. Historical thriller? I wasn't thrilled with all the walking in the woods. There is only so much walking from place to place one can write about before it feels redundant and tedious. I don't want to read about someone's slow journey to the other end of the village, I want to read about what happens after they make that journey.
As to the actual prose, perhaps something was lost in translation because the language throughout the book is uninspired and unoriginal. I highlighted no sentences, which is a rarity for me. Like the characters and the plot, the language in The Hangman's Daughter lumbers along. Though this translation gets the story across, it certainly isn't colorful or creative.
Overall, I am giving The Hangman's Daughter (book 1) 3 out of 5 stars, which I feel is actually a generous rating. I did finish the book, though I'm not quite certain why I bothered. It is possible that future books develop this foundational work into a more compelling story, one where the characters and plots are more thoroughly developed; however, I am putting this series to bed, or perhaps to death, swinging from a tree.
Note: The series is as follows: 1) The Hangman's Daughter; 2) The Dark Monk (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale); 3) The Beggar King (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale); 4) The Poisoned Pilgrim (US Edition) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale).
Tags: Fiction, German, English Translation from German, folk stories, Bavaria, 17th Century, Capital Punishmen, Hanging, Historical Fiction, Monastic Life, Knights Templar, Crusades, International Bestseller, Fiction Series, The Dark Monk, The Beggar King, The Poisoned Pilgrim, Conspiracy
on September 7, 2014
An oddly titled novel, since although the hangman's daughter does play a role in this, she is not the central character. It's told in third person from mostly the points of view of the hangman himself, the town's young physician, and a few other characters. The title misnomer didn't bother me very much though, what bothered me was the occasionally stilted dialogue and narration, which I assume was due to the translation, and the lack of cultural details. With this being set in a small 17th century German town, I was hoping to see more of the culture come through, but it really could have been set anywhere during the 17th century. I did find the information about executioners and physicians during this time period interesting, but I felt like that would have been true for any European small town, not just Germany. The book is apparently based on the author's own ancestors, who were executioners, so I felt like the author did a great job researching and portraying the culture of the executioners society, but not much else.
It also had a little bit of a slow start but picked up the pace eventually. All in all, a fairly average murder mystery, which are a dime a dozen. Good for a "light read" if that's what you're looking for but don't expect it to live up to it's hype. It's unlikely I'll be motivated to read the rest of the series.
It also had a little bit of a slow start but picked up the pace eventually. All in all, a fairly average murder mystery, which are a dime a dozen. Good for a "light read" if that's what you're looking for but don't expect it to live up to it's hype. It's unlikely I'll be motivated to read the rest of the series.
