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Capital punishment -- Fiction Books
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Victor Hugo
Le Dernier Jour d'un Condamné
"Le Dernier Jour d'un Condamné" by Victor Hugo is a thesis novel published in 1829. The work takes the form of a condemned man's journal during his final twenty-four hours, chronicling approximately five weeks from his trial's verdict to his execution. Through this interior monologue filled with anguished reflections and memories, Hugo creates a political plea against the death penalty, presenting raw testimony of a prisoner's psychological and physical suffering without revealing the man's identity or crime.
Victor Hugo
Hans of Iceland, Vol. 2 of 2; The Last Day of a Condemned
"Hans of Iceland, Vol. 2 of 2; The Last Day of a Condemned" by Victor Hugo is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The narrative is set against a backdrop of rebellion in Iceland, focusing on the tumultuous interactions of characters such as Lieutenant Randmer, Captain Lory, and the infamous uprising leader known as Hans of Iceland. The story captures the struggles of loyalty, love, and the harsh realities of war, alongside the personal dilemmas faced by individuals who are caught in the crossfire of social and political upheaval. The opening of "Hans of Iceland" introduces a regiment of musketeers moving through a cold, rugged landscape, marked by the somber moods of its weary soldiers. Lieutenant Randmer attempts to lighten the mood, but his conversation with Captain Lory reveals deep sorrow over personal loss, stemming from the devastation of war and its impacts on relationships. As they traverse the terrain, ominous rumors swirl surrounding the legendary Hans of Iceland, who is feared as a terrifying figure among the rebels. Meanwhile, Ordener Guldenlew grapples with despair in his quest to rescue Ethel, the daughter of a captive, and struggles with the complications that arise in his mission. This establishes a foundation of tension, loyalty, and the haunting consequences of conflict that will unfold throughout the narrative.
Clarence Darrow
An eye for an eye
"An Eye for an Eye" by Clarence Darrow is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Hank Clery, a switchman in Chicago who visits his old friend, Jim Jackson, in jail as he faces execution for the murder of his wife. Through Hank’s perspective, the narrative explores themes of social justice, poverty, and the circumstances that lead individuals to crime. At the start of the novel, Hank is on his way to the county jail, filled with nervousness and apprehension about visiting Jim, who is set to be hanged for the murder of his wife. Despite his previous association with Jim as a loyal friend, Hank grapples with the reality of Jim's crime, reflecting on their shared past. Once at the jail, Hank encounters a cruel and indifferent system, observing families waiting in despair to see their loved ones, all while he prepares to support Jim in his final moments. The opening effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of guilt, morality, and the socio-economic forces that shape human behavior.
Alexandre Dumas
Les mille et un fantômes
"Les mille et un fantômes" by Alexandre Dumas is a collection of tales published in 1849. This work presents a series of fantastic stories framed by a central narrative. The author himself appears as narrator, drawn into a mysterious murder case involving a man who claims his beheaded wife spoke to him. This leads to a dinner where guests share increasingly strange tales. Dumas ventures into the supernatural, departing from his historical fiction to explore the shadowy boundary between reality and imagination.
Stuart Martin
Only seven were hanged
"Only Seven Were Hanged" by Stuart Martin is a crime novel written in the early 20th century. Framed as a sharp debate over capital punishment, it follows a Criminal Court judge and a mysterious waiter inside the exclusive Clue Club as they trade real-case narratives to test whether death sentences can ever be just. The stories unfold as dueling proofs, blending courtroom logic, moral philosophy, and twist-laden crime tales. The opening sets the scene on Christmas Eve at the Clue Club, where the chairman-judge presides and a substitute waiter quietly subverts proceedings. After the club affirms its support for capital punishment, the waiter interrupts, drugs the members into unconsciousness, and challenges the judge: for each case the judge proves deserving of death, one member will be revived; for each unjust case, one remains under. The judge first cites the chilling murder by Ammar Baddan, a Tamil who calmly admits killing an innkeeper; the waiter counters with an honor-and-religion motive that recasts the act within a different code. The waiter’s own case follows: he argues that John Davis, hanged for drowning his former partner Lorry Black, was framed—then reveals he is Black, alive, having staged his “death.” The judge, shaken but resolute, begins a second example about Abe Lammie, a ruthless burglar dubbed “The Mole,” as the duel of stories—and stakes—intensifies.
Victor Hugo
Kuolemantuomitun viimeinen päivä
"Kuolemantuomitun viimeinen päivä" by Victor Hugo is a novel written in the early 19th century. This thought-provoking work explores the harrowing psychological experiences of a prisoner condemned to death, focusing on their emotional turmoil and existential reflections as they await their execution. Through this poignant depiction, Hugo critiques the moral implications of capital punishment and the societal structures that uphold it. At the start of the narrative, the protagonist introduces themselves as a death row inmate, grappling with the chilling weight of their impending fate. They recount their surreal daily existence within the walls of Bicêtre prison, where the monotony of confinement is pierced by thoughts of death and fleeting memories of freedom. As they navigate their dread and despair, the prisoner reflects on the broader implications of their punishment, questioning the nature of justice and human compassion. The beginning sets a somber tone, inviting readers to engage with deep philosophical questions about life, morality, and the human condition as they follow the protagonist's internal struggle.
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