Burial Rites in Aussie Readers

Jul 04, 2017 PattyMacDotComma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-author, kindle, award-win-listed, historical-fiction, favourites-adult, aa

Latest news I've seen - Feb 2018 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/5...

Another UPDATE Iceland is revisiting the circumstances of the trial. Fascinating stuff! Have a look.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news...

UPDATE On 16 August 2017, the author added a video about the book to her website: http://hannahkentauthor.com/
The video itself is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpyAo...

5★+

“Rósa’s poetry kindled the shavings of my soul, and lit me up from within.”

Hannah Kent writes about a dark, ...more

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Jul 19, 2013 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sent-by-publisher, mystery, 2013-release, own-read, historical-fiction, debut

In 1829, northern Iceland housed the last person executed in that country; Agnes Magnusdottir was that person, and she was convicted for her role in the murders of Natan Ketilsson and Petur Jonsson in March of 1828. Burial Rites, though fictitious, is based on the events of that time, using the names of the people who were in some way connected to this story. The information at the back of the book under “Author’s Note” is very interesting and full of enlightenment.

While awaiting execution, Agne In 1829, northern Iceland housed the last person executed in that country; Agnes Magnusdottir was that person, and she was convicted for her role in the murders of Natan Ketilsson and Petur Jonsson in March of 1828. Burial Rites, though fictitious, is based on the events of that time, using the names of the people who were in some way connected to this story. The information at the back of the book under “Author’s Note” is very interesting and full of enlightenment.

While awaiting execution, Agnes had spent her time caged in conditions worse than those of an animal. Filthy, skinny, lice-ridden and in total despair, she was shocked but slightly hopeful when she learned she was to spend her remaining time at a farm, under direction of a spiritual man of the cloth, still a prisoner, but becoming prepared for her destiny within the arms of a family.

District Officer Jon Jonsson, wife Margret and daughters Steina and Lauga lived on their farm Kornsa, extremely poor but happy enough. Until they learned they were to house a murderess – the anger and confusion culminated in worry that they would be murdered in their beds. Initially refusing to speak to Agnes unless necessary, the family found as the months went by, household chores found them working side by side on occasion. Steina in particular felt a kinship with Agnes; against her family’s wishes she conversed with her, felt anger on her behalf.

With the cold winter months keeping them all in close proximity inside the small house, Assistant Reverend Toti spent much time with Agnes, encouraging her to talk of her past, her childhood, her family and the events she was incarcerated for… With the family quietly occupied with knitting or similar activities, they learned about Agnes’ life…

I thoroughly enjoyed Aussie author Hannah Kent’s debut novel, and found the writing to be absolutely beautiful. Many sentences stood out, but one I particularly loved was
My tongue feels so tired; it slumps in my mouth like a dead bird, all damp feathers, in between the stones of my teeth.

As I grew to know the characters, I felt varying emotions – I felt a deep sympathy for Margret, trying to protect her girls; sympathy also for Steina who felt a real connection to Agnes. I won’t put anymore here for fear of spoilers, but this is certainly a book which will stay with me for a long time. I have no hesitation in recommending Burial Rites highly to everyone.
...more

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Feb 18, 2014 Michael Livingston rated it liked it · review of another edition

It's impossible to read this book outside of the context of its publication - a massive advance, film rights tied up and huge sales for a debut novel by a young Australian author set in historical Iceland. I was expecting to be swept up by it, but I spent most of the time reading it thinking, "oh, it's fine I guess." It's probably unfair to blame the book for its own hype - it's a neatly fictionalised telling of the events surrounding the last execution in Iceland and has moments of pathos and b ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Nancy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book earned its five stars from the sheer beauty of the writing, although don't read this book if you are looking for something uplifting because it is a tragically sad story of a woman condemned in nineteenth century Iceland. I listened to the audio, and the narrator and her pronunciation were exceptional. She made the place names and the names of the characters sound like music. The way the book unfolded and the story was revealed was magnificent yet subtle - this book certainly deserves ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Tango rated it really liked it

Terrific debut novel from an Adelaide girl. Kent evokes Iceland's landscape and climate so effectively that I felt like I was there, despite the Australian summer. Agnes was a thoroughly developed character and the book was emotional without being gratuitous. ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Alan Baxter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: literary, historical

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent is a simply outstanding novel. And that it's her first novel is mind-blowing! Her portrayal of the people and place at the time of the novel's setting is flawless and utterly convincing. An incredibly powerful book, beautifully written. ...more

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May 15, 2013 Jane rated it really liked it

A fascinating tale: based on fact and set in Iceland, it tells of a young Icelandic woman, Agnes Magnusdottir, who was beheaded for her part in a murder in the late 19th century. As well as being an engrossing account of life in Iceland in those times, it's a murder mystery and a complex tale of loyalties and friendships, with superstition thrown in. It's just as fascinating to hear how Hannah Kent went as a 17-year-old on exchange from Australia to Iceland, to a small town in the north, how sh ...more

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