Burial Rites
A Novel
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4.3 • 44 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.
Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.
Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tv=ti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.
Riveting and rich with lyricism, Burial Rites evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Based on historical events, this astounding debut novel is set in 19th-century Iceland. It recounts the tragic story of Agnes Magnusdottir, a servant accused of murdering her employer, Natan Ketilsson, a skilled healer and unrepentant womanizer. Australian author Hannah Kent got the inspiration for the book during her yearlong stint as an exchange student in Iceland. There she visited the site of the Nordic country’s last public executions: the beheadings of Agnes and her alleged accomplice. Kent is a supremely talented storyteller. The novel elegantly shifts between Agnes’ first-person narration of her thoughts and memories in the months leading up to her death and the stories of the upstanding farm family forced to shelter her and the young, sensitive priest who tries to provide spiritual comfort. Burial Rites is the finest kind of historical fiction, breathing life into a distant time and place with meticulous research and stunning descriptions that engage all five senses. The backdrop of Iceland’s ruthless landscapes, dark superstitions, and the bone-wearying lives of its rural inhabitants provide a stark contrast to Agnes’ fiery independence—and to the glimmers of reason and kindness shown by those who perceive that the truth is murkier than the state’s portrayal of a cold-blooded temptress.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kent's debut delves deep into Scandinavian history, not to mention matters of storytelling, guilt, and silence. Based on the true story of Agnes Magn sd ttir, the novel is set in rural Iceland in 1829. Agnes is awaiting execution for the murder of her former employer and his friend, not in a prison there are none in the area but at a local family's farm. J n J nsson, the father, grudgingly accepts this thankless task as part of his responsibility as a regional official, but his wife and daughters' reactions range from silent resentment to outright fear. After settling in to the household, Agnes requests the company of a young priest, to whom she confesses parts of her story, while narrating the full tale only to the reader, who, like the priest, "provide her with a final audience to her life's lonely narrative." The multilayered story paints sympathetic and complex portraits of Agnes, the J nssons, and the young priest, whose motives for helping the convict are complicated. Kent smoothly incorporates her impressive research for example, she opens many of the chapters with documents that come directly from archival sources while giving life to these historical figures and suspense to their tales.
Customer Reviews
Great book -very interesting
Well written - captivating
Burial Rites
Absolutely wonderful. Had my attention from the beginning.