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A review by pgmoon
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Burial Rites is based on a true story about Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last person to be executed in Iceland, and it really dives into who she might’ve been beyond the accusations against her. Kent’s writing gives Agnes this layered, ambiguous quality that makes you question if we truly know who she was.
One of the best things about the writing is the style. The narration switches up—some parts are told in a straightforward way with other characters, but when we get into Agnes’ thoughts, it reads like poetry. Those parts are just stunning! Kent’s imagery and the way she captures Agnes’ emotions really pull you in. Also, the side characters are surprisingly interesting, especially Margret, who is her main overseer before her execution whose relationship with Agnes slowly deepens and evolves over time.
Even though I had an idea of how things would end—kind of like the story in Hadestown, where you know it’s doomed from the start—I kept hoping for a different outcome. It’s tragic, but in a way that makes you hang on, page after page.
The book has a slower pace, which I liked, though I could see it being a bit too slow for some people. A few of the characters are definitely meant to be disliked, and while that could come off as a bit much, but I thought it worked to build tension.
There are some small detractors - Tóti, a character (who I really enjoy, especially his conversations with Agnes) who starts out as pretty important but then seems to vanish for a while, only to pop back in a bit abruptly. And things wrap up really fast once Agnes finally shares what happened the night of the murder—I felt like I’d hit a sudden finish line.
That said, I still thought this book was very good! I don’t know much about Icelandic culture, but from the notes, it’s clear Kent did a ton of research, and the setting felt super authentic. If you’re into historical fiction about complex women and their struggles, I’d totally recommend Burial Rites!
One of the best things about the writing is the style. The narration switches up—some parts are told in a straightforward way with other characters, but when we get into Agnes’ thoughts, it reads like poetry. Those parts are just stunning! Kent’s imagery and the way she captures Agnes’ emotions really pull you in. Also, the side characters are surprisingly interesting, especially Margret,
Even though I had an idea of how things would end
The book has a slower pace, which I liked, though I could see it being a bit too slow for some people. A few of the characters are definitely meant to be disliked, and while that could come off as a bit much, but I thought it worked to build tension.
There are some small detractors - Tóti, a character (who I really enjoy, especially his conversations with Agnes) who starts out as pretty important but then seems to vanish for a while, only to pop back in a bit abruptly. And things wrap up really fast once Agnes finally shares what happened the night of the murder—I felt like I’d hit a sudden finish line.
That said, I still thought this book was very good! I don’t know much about Icelandic culture, but from the notes, it’s clear Kent did a ton of research, and the setting felt super authentic. If you’re into historical fiction about complex women and their struggles, I’d totally recommend Burial Rites!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, and Police brutality