I Am an Executioner: Love Stories Audiobook

" Obviously there are many different kinds of love, including relationships that are difficult and maybe even tortured. So I can appreciate alternative definitions of the the term "love story," but this book stretched that appreciation to the limits. It made me uncomfortable for a majority of the time I was reading it, and not in a good way. I couldn't relate to most of the protagonists, not because some were non-humans, but because the reactions and emotions they had went against what I imagine my natural instincts would be in similar situations. I actually thought the last story (my favorite) featuring the being on a different planet was most relatable. Like other reviewers have noted, a lot of the stories seemed forced, like writing seminar exercises. The narrator's voice was often too stiff and academic. The title story and the secret agent story along with the being story were the exceptions to this critique. Don't read this book expecting to be filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling - these are "love stories" that will leave you feeling cold, empty, sad, and/or helpless. "

" Obviously there are many different kinds of love, including relationships that are difficult and maybe even tortured. So I can appreciate alternative definitions of the the term "love story," but this book stretched that appreciation to the limits. It made me uncomfortable for a majority of the time I was reading it, and not in a good way. I couldn't relate to most of the protagonists, not because some were non-humans, but because the reactions and emotions they had went against what I imagine my natural instincts would be in similar situations. I actually thought the last story (my favorite) featuring the being on a different planet was most relatable. Like other reviewers have noted, a lot of the stories seemed forced, like writing seminar exercises. The narrator's voice was often too stiff and academic. The title story and the secret agent story along with the being story were the exceptions to this critique. Don't read this book expecting to be filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling - these are "love stories" that will leave you feeling cold, empty, sad, and/or helpless. "

" Any publisher will tell you that short stories are a "hard sell" because competition is stiff, but the distinctive stories in Parameswaran's collection are startling in their unique tone, perspective, and language, and are an absolute delight to read. What a great new voice in literary fiction! "

" An excellent, if not twisted collection of tales fanciful, loving and at times sad. Give this one an open-minded chance. "

" An excellent, if not twisted collection of tales fanciful, loving and at times sad. Give this one an open-minded chance. "

" Content not for everyone "

" Content not for everyone "

" A very strange read that stayed with me to this day - an incredible storyteller. You may grimace at times - an interesting combination of emotions. I recommend. "

" A very strange read that stayed with me to this day - an incredible storyteller. You may grimace at times - an interesting combination of emotions. I recommend. "

" NYTBR review "

" NYTBR review "

" I love short stories. These are just what short stories should be--a little weird, a little surprising, and very satisfying. Some are kind of gross. If seeing life from the point of view of the villain doesn't appeal to you, you might want to skip this. "

" I love short stories. These are just what short stories should be--a little weird, a little surprising, and very satisfying. Some are kind of gross. If seeing life from the point of view of the villain doesn't appeal to you, you might want to skip this. "

" I couldn't do it. I read the first two stories but they are too exposing for me. The stories go way way deep into the characters hearts and it is too raw for me. Good luck to you though, some people will devour these stories. Just not me. "

" I couldn't do it. I read the first two stories but they are too exposing for me. The stories go way way deep into the characters hearts and it is too raw for me. Good luck to you though, some people will devour these stories. Just not me. "

" If I had quit half way through I would have continued to give this 2 stars. Maybe I stayed up too late reading but the last few stories were lovely. "

" If I had quit half way through I would have continued to give this 2 stars. Maybe I stayed up too late reading but the last few stories were lovely. "

" The author seems talented and I appreciated the stories, but I didn't enjoy them. The book might just be too contradictory and the characters too dysfunctional for me to appreciate in my current state of mind. "

" The author seems talented and I appreciated the stories, but I didn't enjoy them. The book might just be too contradictory and the characters too dysfunctional for me to appreciate in my current state of mind. "

" While I liked this short story collection, it's really the first story about the infamous bengal ming that I loved. Highly recommend the book for that story alone! "

" While I liked this short story collection, it's really the first story about the infamous bengal ming that I loved. Highly recommend the book for that story alone! "

" Wildly inventive, thoughtful love stories. Parameswaran explores the relationship between love and power in these highly original shorts. Definitely recommend. "

" Wildly inventive, thoughtful love stories. Parameswaran explores the relationship between love and power in these highly original shorts. Definitely recommend. "

" These stories left a bitter aftertaste. Well written and inventive, but cruel. "

" These stories left a bitter aftertaste. Well written and inventive, but cruel. "

" Some of the stories in this book are entertaining. Some, however, are strange and very hard to read. "

" Some of the stories in this book are entertaining. Some, however, are strange and very hard to read. "

" Since I just finished The Life of Pi, it's fitting that my next book features a Bengal Tiger on the cover who "mauls his trainer out of affection." These stories are unexpected and compelling and engaging. "

" Since I just finished The Life of Pi, it's fitting that my next book features a Bengal Tiger on the cover who "mauls his trainer out of affection." These stories are unexpected and compelling and engaging. "

" Full disclosure: Raj is a friend of mine from law school. Regardless, I really enjoyed these stories. They are funny and disturbing at the same time, an oddly pleasurable kind of discomfort. "

" Full disclosure: Raj is a friend of mine from law school. Regardless, I really enjoyed these stories. They are funny and disturbing at the same time, an oddly pleasurable kind of discomfort. "

" The short selection of short stories made this book an excellent choice for my beach vacation this past summer. I really enjoyed it. "

" The short selection of short stories made this book an excellent choice for my beach vacation this past summer. I really enjoyed it. "

" The first and last short stories were the most interesting. Overall just not good though. Was a waste of my time to listen to (I listened to the audiobook). "

" The first and last short stories were the most interesting. Overall just not good though. Was a waste of my time to listen to (I listened to the audiobook). "

" Fun stories, especially in audiobook form. I enjoyed the author's human characters more so than the animal ones, which I had some trouble following, but enjoyed it over all. A relatively light read. "

" Fun stories, especially in audiobook form. I enjoyed the author's human characters more so than the animal ones, which I had some trouble following, but enjoyed it over all. A relatively light read. "

" Oh book, you were a waste of my time and ultimately trees. The only positive thing I can say of this book is: it was a compilation of words. "

" Oh book, you were a waste of my time and ultimately trees. The only positive thing I can say of this book is: it was a compilation of words. "

" Weird and brilliant. I am an Executioner was my favorite of the lot. I also liked Four Rajeshes and the footnotes in the elephant's tale. Would have loved to read part 2. "

" Weird and brilliant. I am an Executioner was my favorite of the lot. I also liked Four Rajeshes and the footnotes in the elephant's tale. Would have loved to read part 2. "