afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Intense, bleak, and haunting. Set in rural Iceland, this is inspired by the story of the last days of a woman convicted of murder in the 1820s. Agnes is sent to a working farm while she waits for the day she'll be executed due to her part in the murder of a local farmer. The family hosting her is angry at having her there, and try to continue their lives around her. Agnes's only confidant is Toti, the local priest who comes to visit her, but feels inept at how to help her prepare for her impending death. Agnes is resigned to her fate and does her work, eventually winning the family over as they realize there is more than one side to a story. Rich with beautifully written imagery and emotional weight, this story is slow-paced with an expected ending, but worth the read.
olga_naden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hauntingly beautiful, prepare to be emotionally wrecked!
‘Iceland, 1829 – Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the murder of her lover.
Agnes is sent to wait out her final months on the farm of district officer Jón Jónsson, his wife and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderer in their midst, the family avoid contact with Agnes. Only Tóti, the young assistant priest appointed Agnes’s spiritual guardian, is compelled to try to understand her. As the year progresses and the hardships of rural life force the household to work side by side, Agnes’s story begins to emerge and with it the family’s terrible realization that all is not as they had assumed. Based on actual events, Burial Rites is an astonishing and moving novel about the truths we claim to know and the ways in which we interpret what we’re told. In beautiful, cut-glass prose, Hannah Kent portrays Iceland’s formidable landscape, in which every day is a battle for survival, and asks, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?’
This has destroyed me and I wasn’t prepared for the emotions that were stirred. Hannah Kent transported me to a bygone era, a frigid and unforgiving land, where the stark Icelandic landscape serves as the backdrop for the unfolding narrative. Agnes, leading a challenging life as an unacknowledged child, a foundling, and a labourer on farms where meagre resources and solace were scarce, takes centre stage.
The prose is simply exquisite, with a poetic and fluid quality that maintains a resolute and compelling essence. Kent's descriptions of the environment and the weather are nothing short of breath-taking. Kent adeptly switches between the third-person narrative and the first-person perspective of Agnes herself. While utilizing the third person, the narrator doesn't possess omniscience, allowing readers to delve into the characters' inner worlds rather than being explicitly told their thoughts and feelings. This approach fosters a generous and tender connection with the characters, encouraging a gradual bonding and an organic development of emotions, as opposed to prescribing them. Agnes' personal narrative unfolds slowly and gracefully from her first-person point of view. We gain insights into her past and her internal musings, reflective of a resolute, independent woman who has had to fend for herself.
I believe this book deserves to be embraced, explored, and celebrated for its exquisite literary craftsmanship. It presents a multifaceted narrative intricately woven with deep emotional realities, and the characters are vividly depicted on every page. It is beautifully multifaceted. Emotionally Resonant. Exquisite Descriptions. This author is going to be my next ‘immediate buy’ and I cannot wait to read her other books.
Word of advice: listen to it, the audiobook is incredible with the addition of Icelandic language.
Tags: historical fiction, crime, mystery, adult
connie99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
laurenjpegler's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Great historical fiction, blending real events with fiction. I was hooked. I was hoping for a different ending, but I always complain if there are happy endings. Kent is a brilliant story teller!
I love this type of narrative: the criminal being able to tell their side of the story to an esteemed, upright member of the community. There is something so fascinating and so enjoyable about this particular type of story telling. Definitely a new favourite of 2019!
I love this type of narrative: the criminal being able to tell their side of the story to an esteemed, upright member of the community. There is something so fascinating and so enjoyable about this particular type of story telling. Definitely a new favourite of 2019!
ktxx22's review against another edition
4.0
This book is bleak, sad, and extremely well written! The story builds and builds and you crave the details to put the puzzle pieces together, but I felt like the ending was rushed. Albeit perfect in the end. It was a sprint those last 20 pages.
katys_books's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
coppercrane2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75