Burial Rites in Aussie Readers

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

Shelves: own-read, 2013-release, historical-fiction, sent-by-publisher, mystery, 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.
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Jan 26, 2014 Kathryn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-authors, audiobooks, fiction, reading-list-2014, 4-stars, author-younger-than-me

I think a good audiobook narration can add something to the reading of a good book. I listened to this book, narrated by Morven Christie, and felt that it added an extra edge to my experience. Her voice for Agnes’ voice and thoughts sounded devoid of all joy; her voice for Reverend Toti, Agnes’ spiritual adviser, sounded young and eager – just as he’s portrayed.

Based on a true story, albeit one I’d never heard of before I heard of this book, I supposed that the ending of the story would not be u I think a good audiobook narration can add something to the reading of a good book. I listened to this book, narrated by Morven Christie, and felt that it added an extra edge to my experience. Her voice for Agnes’ voice and thoughts sounded devoid of all joy; her voice for Reverend Toti, Agnes’ spiritual adviser, sounded young and eager – just as he’s portrayed.

Based on a true story, albeit one I’d never heard of before I heard of this book, I supposed that the ending of the story would not be unexpected (unless Hannah Kent had exercised some poetic licence in refashioning the ending), but I was still interested in the relationship developing between Agnes and Toti, and Agnes and the family, how she acted while living on the farm and how events had led Agnes to this point. Toward the end, the story became very powerful, and I’m still thinking about parts of it.

This is not a light or fun read – Agnes was convicted as a murderess and sent to live with a family on a farm while awaiting the carrying out of her sentence of execution – but it was what life was like then. We are given glimpses into life in Iceland in the early 1800s – illegitimate children, fostered out to people who didn’t really want them or care much for them, working as a servant at this farm and that, struggling against the land and inclement weather even if you own your own farm to produce crops or livestock to make a livelihood, chamber pots filled to overflowing needing emptying, animals rendered down to make food and other products, men taking advantage (whether a servant or the master) of women too scared or naïve to refuse them. It was not an easy life, except perhaps if you were substantially well off – we see only a snippet of the District Commissioner’s life, but it sounds like a luxurious life in comparison to most of the other lives described. Hannah Kent has done a thorough job of her research, and it is effortlessly woven into the story.

I was not sure initially about this book (especially listening to it for 11.5 hours), but as I went further, I wanted to keep going and find out more. However, I can also see that it wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste. ...more

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Aug 22, 2015 Josie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Now firstly, this is not my typical genre. The book was sent to me by a friend with a "you'll enjoy this" note.
And I did. How could I not?!
The author has done a brilliant job of telling Agnes' story. The writing enables you to feel the Icelandic chill and there is so much raw emotion from numerous characters that you become totally bewitched in the tale.
I can appreciate why this book has so many Award stickers on the cover.
On a side note, my Great Great Great Grandmother - Mary Holden was the la ...more

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Feb 02, 2015 Katherine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Loved the book - the sense of place, the heavy heartedness, the vivid historical detail - but had a problem with the construction. Agnes' first person interjections seemed at odds with the rest of the third person narrative, and the transitions were also sometimes confusing. However, this did not overwhelm the novel's depiction of a sensitive young woman's last year before her execution. It was hard to leave the characters of the farmer Jon and his wife, Margret, and the young Reverend Toti. The ...more

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Feb 08, 2016 Lucia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

At times reading through the landscape of 19th century Iceland seems like reading a dark fantasy novel - but Kent had researched this area of history, travelling to Iceland specifically to do so.
It's a stormy, deeply emotional novel that will have you feel pity and anger to boot. ...more

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