Burial Rites in Bound Together

Feb 09, 2014 B the BookAddict rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-faction

In 1829, Jon Jonsson is tasked with housing condemned murderer Agnes Magnusdottir at his family farm while she awaits her execution. Margret, Jon’s wife, has steeled herself and their two daughters to support Jon in his unenviable position. She is unprepared for the moment her resolve softens when she meets the prisoner for the first time.

“The criminal wore what seem to be a servant’s common working dress of roughly woven wool, but one so badly stained and caked with dirt that the original blue In 1829, Jon Jonsson is tasked with housing condemned murderer Agnes Magnusdottir at his family farm while she awaits her execution. Margret, Jon’s wife, has steeled herself and their two daughters to support Jon in his unenviable position. She is unprepared for the moment her resolve softens when she meets the prisoner for the first time.

“The criminal wore what seem to be a servant’s common working dress of roughly woven wool, but one so badly stained and caked with dirt that the original blue dye was hardly discernible under the brown grease that spread across the neckline and arms. A thick weight of dried mud pulled the fabric awkwardly from the woman’s body. Her faded stockings were soaked through, sunk around the ankles, and one torn, exposing a slice of pale skin. […] Her hair was uncovered by a cap and matted with grease. […] There was a yellow bruise that spread from her chin down the side of her neck.”

The young Assistant Reverend Thorvardur (Toti) Jonsson has the role of Agnes’s spiritual advisor to help her prepare for her death and meeting with her creator. While, at first, Toti feels totally unequal to the task, his growing knowledge of Agnes and her life spurs him on with confidence. Both he, and the Jonsdottir family will learn of Agnes’s early life as a ward of the parish, then a lifetime spent always in servitude. Her help around the farm and her humble words will force them all to change their initial reactions to the prisoner.

Kent’s description of the 1800s Icelandic rural area will whisk you away from your current time and place and plant you firmly in the harsh yet beautiful countryside. The short summer, the haymaking season, collecting the berries and herbs, the planting season and the long, severe winters; these all come to life with the astounding eloquence of Ms Kent.

Literary awards for Burial Rites: International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Nominee for Shortlist (2015), Guardian First Book Award Nominee (2013), Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) for Literary Fiction (2014), Goodreads Choice Nominee for Historical Fiction (2013), Women's Prize for Fiction Nominee (2014)
Specsavers National Book Award Nominee for International Author of the Year (2014)

For my part, Hannah Kent’s debut novel is Highly Recommended, truly a 5★ read. ...more

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Jul 11, 2017 Cathrine ☯️ rated it it was ok

Shelves: group-challenge

2★
The talented, atmospheric writing deserves 5 stars, and for many friends the story did as well.
For me it was as bleak and slow moving as a hard and bitter Icelandic winter and no more enjoyable than attending a funeral. I'm too challenged to move beyond the 'it was ok' two star rating. ...more

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