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Burial Rites

Hannah Kent

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Mar 02, 2014 Kristel rated it really liked it

Shelves: f2f-bookclub-books, iceland

A novel based on a true event in 1828, an Icelandic servant named Agnes Magnúsdóttir was convicted of killing her employer and another man, then burning their bodies. This is a debut novel written by Hannah Kent an Australian author. Agnes was interned to live with a family until her execution. Hannah Kent has taken this story and written about what might have occurred between this family and Agnes.
I enjoyed the story. I liked the character of Margrét and may have been the best developed of all A novel based on a true event in 1828, an Icelandic servant named Agnes Magnúsdóttir was convicted of killing her employer and another man, then burning their bodies. This is a debut novel written by Hannah Kent an Australian author. Agnes was interned to live with a family until her execution. Hannah Kent has taken this story and written about what might have occurred between this family and Agnes.
I enjoyed the story. I liked the character of Margrét and may have been the best developed of all the characters. The author attempts to show us how a community would react to a murderess living in their midst. There was much talk and exaggeration and people thought Agnes a witch. Accept for the youngest daughter, the family tried to keep their distance. Getting close to someone who is going to die could be painful. The young minister, Tóti is poorly developed and at best represents a young man who is sexually attracted to Agnes and therefore doesn't do his job very well. It took awhile for the story of Agnes's part in the murder to be fully revealed but would not consider this book a mystery. It is a social statement about society, poverty, prejudice and death sentences. Did the story tell itself adequately or was the stream of consciousness of Agnes inadequate. The most enjoyable part of the book is certainly the parts where Agnes is speaking with Margrét.
Hannah Kent is young, she wrote this when she was 28. Ms Kent visited Iceland and was intrigued by the story of Agnes. She was mentored by Geraldine Brooks and is working on her PhD. Some of the writing is a little overwritten. The author uses "birds" in the description frequently especially ravens. Saga's are mentioned but not sure the reader ever really understands that the author is introducing the pagan or nonChristian background of the Icelandic people. The details of living in Iceland in a turf home, the making of blood sausage and birthing of lambs was all great detail. Even the detail of execution by ax gives the book a sense of being well researched. With a lot more work, this could have been a 5 star book. Will Hannah Kent be a one book author or will she bring us more?
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Jun 14, 2015 Annice rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-for-library-programs, fiction

Aug 16, 2013 Vickie marked it as to-read

Apr 25, 2014 Vickie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Dec 30, 2013 Haana Vander Vorst marked it as to-read

Mar 22, 2017 Suzeworld marked it as to-read

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