Name: Laura Nisioiu's review of Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Item: Burial Rites
Rating: 4
Author: Laura Nisioiu

Hannah Kent

Inspired by a true story, Hannah Kent's Burial Rites was shortlisted for The Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, The Guardian First Book Award and The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards. In northern Iceland, 1829, Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of her lover. Agnes is sent to wait out her final months on the farm of district officer Jón Jónsson, his wife and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderer in their midst, the family avoid contact with Agnes. Only Tóti, the young assistant priest appointed Agnes’s spiritual guardian, is compelled to try to understand her. As the year progresses and the hardships of rural life force the household to work side by side, Agnes’s story begins to emerge and with it the family’s terrible realization that all is not as they had assumed. Based on actual events, Burial Rites is an astonishing and moving novel about the truths we claim to know and the ways in which we interpret what we’re told. In beautiful, cut-glass prose, Hannah Kent portrays Iceland’s formidable landscape, in which every day is a battle for survival, and asks, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others? Burial Rites is perfect for fans of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan.

Burial Rites

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?

A Novel

The stone Mamma gave me before she left. It will bring you good luck, Agnes. It is a magic stone. Put it under your tongue and you will be able to talk to the birds.

That stone sat in my mouth for days. If the birds understood my questions, they never cared to answer them.

I understood that these people did not see me. I was two dead men. I was a burning farm. I was a knife. I was blood.

I am sinking all I have left and going underwater.

I remain quiet. I am determined to close myself to the world, to tighten my heart and hold on to what has not yet been stolen from me. I cannot let myself slip away. I will hold what I am inside, and keep my hands tight around all the things I have seen and heard, and felt. The poems composed as I washed and scythed and cooked until my hands were raw. The sagas I know by heart. I am sinking all I have left and going underwater. If I speak, it will be in bubbles of air. They will not be able to keep my words for themselves. They will see the whore, the madwoman, the murderess, the female dripping blood into the grass and laughing with her mouth choked with dirt. They will say 'Agnes' and see the spider, the witch caught in the webbing of her own fateful weaving. They might see the lamb circled by ravens, bleating for a lost mother. But they will not see me. I will not be there.

Laura Nisioiu

Set against Iceland's stark landscape, this story evokes a dramatic existence in a distant tme and place. Here the author 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 To 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. But will their new knowledge be enough to save Agnes? -- Provided by publisher.

a novel

Burial rites

Love how amazing Hannah is at describing atmosphere and landscape. Wish I read it more quickly bc I broke up the pace way too much. Nice that the books reveals itself slowly 

maddy rowley

This book tells the story of the last woman to be executed in Iceland. I really liked the book and the development of the characters. (view spoiler)[ Like how Margret or Lauga developed a fondness of Agnes and saw what she actually was, which was not a murderer and a good person.  (hide spoiler)] I also liked how the author developed the story slowly instead of giving us a version of what happened quickly. I did not know if Agnes was actually a murderer but by the end, I understood that she was actually a good person. As I am a teenager, I do wish something came out with Toti and Agnes being lovers. However, I do not see how that could have been incorporated into the story but oh well, a girl can dream.

Isabella 

hauntingly beautiful. it was so engrossing and gripping from the start until the end. i loved it. it's very moving, and finding out it was based on real events; i have tears in my eyes.

4.5 stars

So brilliant and moving. Definitely a favourite!

Khoi K

Beautifully written, but for some reason it didn't seem to captivate me.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILEYS WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2014.SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2013 GUARDIAN FIRST BOOK AWARD. SHORTLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL IMPAC DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2015.Northern Iceland, 1829.A woman condemned to death for murdering her lover.A family forced to take her in.A priest tasked with absolving her.But all is not as it seems, and time is running out: winter is coming, and with it the execution date.Only she can know the truth. This is Agnes's story.

Jacqueline Englund

This was a powerful read. Not only set in one of my favorite places and time periods, this book is based on a true and tragic story of a one woman’s life and death...a beautifully written, atmospheric story that touched me deeply and will stay sith me a long time!

SHORTLISTED FOR THE STELLA PRIZE AND THE BAILEYS WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2014 "Burial Rites is beautiful and compelling . . . it's the announcement of a writer to watch." Guardian "A gripping tale." New York Times In northern Iceland, 1829, Agnes Magnusdottir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of two men. Agnes is sent to wait on the farm of District Officer Jon Jonsson and his family, who are horrified and avoid Agnes. Only Toti, the young assistant reverend appointed as Agnes's spiritual guardian, is compelled to try to understand her. As the summer months fall away to winter, Agnes's story begins to emerge. And as the days to her execution draw closer, the question burns: did she or didn't she? Based on a true story, Burial Rites is a deeply moving novel about freedom and the ways we will risk everything for love. In beautiful, cut-glass prose, Hannah Kent portrays Iceland's formidable landscape, and asks: how can one woman endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others? Fans of Anna Funder's All That I Am and Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist will love Burial Rites. PRAISE FOR HANNAH KENT "An outstandingly good debut . . . I found myself spellbound . . . Kent has done a great deal of research and transformed its results into a work of art." Literary Review

Sade A

I want to kick myself for leaving this literary GEM sitting on my TBR for months!! Thank Heavens i finally read it.

  
    "i won't let go of you Agnes. I'm right here"
  

This book is pure magic. Hannah Kent weaves pure, unadulterated magic with her words in this book as she takes you on Agnes journey to death. 
Let me tell you, it's a journey you'll never regret taking.
Hands down one of my best reads this year.

Emelie

Beautifully written but soooo slow... not my thing!

Lauren Tabor

Jen Casey

This was recommended to me and it was a great recommendation! Based on a true story, Agnes is sentenced to death for the murder of two men but as the story went on, you learn more about Agnes and what secrets she carries with her.

Nicole Blazek

This is not the sort of book I would normally enjoy, but I was captivated and mesmerized. The characters and the storyline are beautifully developed.

Jen Estrella

Damn. This was so haunting and painful and so beautifully written. Honestly, I knew I'd love this the moment I read the synopsis, but I didn't think I'd be this emotional after reading it?! I mean, just look at these: 

  How can I truly recall the first moment of meeting him, when the hand I felt press my own was merely a hand? It is impossible to think of [him] as the stranger he was, once, to me. I can picture the way he looked, and recall the weather, and the play of the light across his stubbled face, but that virgin moment is impossible to recapture. I cannot remember not knowing [him]. I cannot think of what it was not to love him. To look at him and realise I had found what I had not known I was hungering for. A hunger so deep, so capable of driving me into the night, that it terrified me.

  They will see the whore, the madwoman, the murderess, the female dripping blood into the grass and laughing with her mouth choked with dirt. They will say “Agnes” and see the spider, the witch caught in the webbing of her own fateful weaving. They might see the lamb circled by ravens, bleating for a lost mother. But they will not see me. I will not be there.
I'm really sad, and now I'm doomed, because I don't know what to read after this, and I still have 2 weeks of reading time...

Amanda Wells

Wow! If you were looking for a realistic portrayal of 19th C rural Iceland, I don't think you'd naturally turn to an Australian author... but my goodness I felt the landscape through this book. The story was engaging - and all the more so knowing that it was based on real events. I really felt for Agnes, and even though I knew hoping for a positive outcome for her was futile, I did anyway. 

In short, a really well written and well realised book that breathed life into a very old story in a very (for me) foreign setting, and got under my skin.

Magdalene Lim

A dark and heavy aura clouds you as you read this book. It's also very different and refreshing! (How many books set in Iceland have you read? How many books set in 1828 have you read? And how many books set in Iceland in the 1800s have you read?) 

Right till... some portion in the book (won't spoil it for you), you are kept guessing. What on earth went on? Is Agnes innocent or is she some psychopath who knows her way into charming people to believe in her. 

I enjoyed this read. And even the epilogue and section which talks about how the author came about writing this book.

celeste

I'm always conflicted to write reviews for books that have been hyped or that are loved by almost every single person that decides to pick them up, because I never seem to have the same opinion as everyone else. Most of the times it's as if I had read a completely different book. This one fits that category.

The premise of this story follows Agnes, an Icelandic woman sentenced to death for being an accesory to murder for the crimes of two men, together with another maid from the farmhouse she worked in and another man. The story is split into different points of view, from Agnes, to the reverend in charge of leading her path to salvation before the day of the execution arrives, and the mother of the family whom is forced to accept and house Agnes for the last weeks of her life before the execution. It was interesting seeing the story unfold from these different perspectives and not be in Agnes's head all the time, and to see how everyone else regarded her and the situation that they were put in.

Now, I had many problems with this book. First of all, I felt like the pacing wasn't the strongest suit of Kent. For the first 30% of the book nothing happened, the story was not moving forward in any way, and we just followed Agnes settling down in the new house with a family who were scared of her because of the crimes she had done, and Agnes building a wall around her without letting anyone in and not even talking to her priest. It was boring, and at several parts it dragged on, and it just didn't do anything to keep my attention in what was going on. Then, when she finally started talking about what had happened to the reverand and even to Margaret was when the book picked up a bit and became interesting once more. The only thing that kept me wanting to keep reading this book was the fact that I wanted to know whether she had done it or not, which, by the way the author characterized Agnes, it was plainly obvious what was going to be the answer to that question. And that was another problem I had, it was way too obvious. Agnes' character is portrayed as perfect, smart, knowledgable of the holy scriptures, of the sagas, of knowing about illnesses and its cures, and of being too pure and child-like in the way she looks like, and there was no point in waiting until the end to find out whether she was guilty or innocent for the murders commited when it was clear from the beginning that there was no chance she could have done what they said she did. I understand that the author was trying to paint a famous case of a woman convicted for the murders of two men in a different way, and trying to make a story of a wrongly accused and convicted woman who had been victim of injustices ever since she was a kid. Personally, I just didn't buy that story. I always felt like the author was trying too hard to tell that particular storyline with the way she portrayed Agnes. I don't know if she wanted to make a claim as regards the death penalty and if it was politically motivated, I don't know and I don't wanna get into that debate because that's a whole other story, all i'm gonna say is that I didn't buy it. 

It also irritated me the fact that the character of Agnes would be so stupid in certain occasions when she was presented as being a smart woman with a good head on her shoulders. When she gets literally thrown out of Natan's farm after having lived with his mood swings and abusive treatment towards her for months, she tries to go back to him and make him see sense that she does indeed love him? um... excuse me? I thought Agnes was supposed to be smart, and know that that man was not capable of offering anything good to her. Throughout the book she kept bragging that she had worked for like 10 different farms and families, and you expect me to believe that she couldn't have just gone back to one of them? Yet she said that she had no one but Natan. Okay.. sure Jan. Even after hearing Fridrik talking about wanting to kill Natan over and over again, and seeing how pretty fucked up that guy was, she still stayed in the cowshed nearby Natan's farm and went to sleep? I'm sorry, but I just can't buy that. I don't care if this was set in the 1800s or if it was the 1900s and women's chances of survival on their own were slim, the way she acted literally made NO SENSE whatsoever. She could have gone back to Fridrik's house, she could have gone back to the dozen of other farms she worked in that had people who knew her.
 
All in all, I think that this could have been way more interesting than what I thought it was. My interest was not kept throughout the book, and the only part that moved me or made me feel anything at all was the last chapter when the execution was going to happen. If the point of this book was to drive a message of people being wrongly accused or injustices being done against innocent people, I think that the message could have been transmitted in a much more subtle way, instead of pushing down my throat how perfect, and innocent, and pure Agnes was and had been all the time.

As seen on Caity Reads.

Burial Rites was such a beautiful and interesting story. It is almost everything I expected it to be. I highly recommend going into the story knowing that it is bleak. There is no humor in this novel, but it fit the story that the author was telling so well. Kent’s writing is so atmospheric of this as well. Her descriptions are wonderful, and her writing was very poetic at times. Especially in the sections that were told from Agnes’s perspective. Those were hands down my favorite sections of the book.

It took me a little while to get into this book. Not because it wasn’t good, or interesting in the beginning, because it most definitely was. It may have had something to do with the Icelandic names and words because I struggled thinking of how to pronounce them. Though this was completely my fault, as Kent does provide a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book. However, I think it was mostly to do with the writing style. This novel is written in long chapters, which is fine, but each chapter shifted points of view from scene to scene. It took me awhile, but once I got used to the switches, I began to enjoy the story even more than before.

Sometimes, when an author switches between perspectives, things can get muddled. I was a little concerned this was going to happen. Especially since they switched within the same chapter, and there was no real indication as to who it was until you started to read. That was not at all the case with this novel. I had no issue discerning who was who when reading. Though it definitely helped that they were all in third person aside from Agnes.

The plot wasn’t exactly what I was expecting it to be. I had pictured it more as a kind of mystery, or that maybe it was going to be them trying to prove her innocence throughout the novel. Which, I guess in a sense, it was. Perhaps just not to the degree that I was expecting it to be. That being said, I enjoyed watching the characters grow the more time they spent around Agnes. And I enjoyed learning more about Agnes and her past as the story progressed.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel. Especially if you enjoy historical fiction. Give this book a chance, and I believe you won’t be disappointed.

Amber Laha

For this being Kent's first book, it was beautifully written and well-constructed. I loved the dark and very leading way she wrote and told Agnes' story. It was thrilling and kept me reading. Yes, it is a character study, but it adds the mysterious twist to the story with the: Did she really do this? 

High praises to Hannah Kent. I do feel it could have been developed more in some areas, especially with some of the physical descriptions. She seemed to spend more time on Agnes then any other and although you can imagine the rest, you are left wanting at times. But otherwise wonderful, wonderful story.

Jacklyn O’Brien 

This was a unique historical fiction, that reminds me a lot of Alias Grace. Taking place in 1820s Iceland, there are a lot of difficult Icelandic names, but the book includes a map and how to pronounce these words. I was intrigued by Agnes, but more so by the day to day of peasant farmers in that time. There was a large Christian emphasis, which I believe goes with the times, as well as plays into Agnes' sentence. I longed to hear what really happened the night of the murders, but was saddened by the ending ( I don't know why I was surprised by it).

Elad Schulman

The writing was so beautiful, but the beginning of the book was definitely the best part. It kinda went downhill from there.

Renee Blankenship

“I can turn to that day as though it were a page in a book. It’s written so deeply upon my mind I can almost taste the ink.” 

Hannah Kent's Burial Rites is one of those books that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page. I remember finishing this book and feeling utterly depleted- in a good way! You know that feeling, after you've immersed yourself entirely in a story and then its just....over. I couldn't let go of Agnes, the brutal coldness of Iceland or the feeling of isolation Agnes felt while living with the hardworking family who kept her until her trial. A story based on the life of the last woman executed in Iceland, Agnes Magnudottir, and the events leading up to the crime that she is accused of. 

"To know what a person has done, and to know who a person is, are very different things." 

Told in multiple narrative (Agnes, the priest called to talk with Agnes and the mother of the family keeping Agnes before her trial), Burial Rites plays on what is good and evil, the ethics of capital punishment and what it means to judge another person. I found Agnes's narrative to be the most compelling and it was her character that I have been unable to let go of, even after all this time. The bleak surroundings as well as the future in front of Agnes means this is not a lighthearted or happy story. But its message is sound and its story compelling, in a way that holds on to you.

Erin 

2.5 stars. I started this book seven months ago, and found it dreadfully slow and boring. I set it down assuming that if I ever got back to it, it wouldn't be for awhile. Yet I was determined a few days ago to finish the books I had started before starting new ones. My opinion still largely hasn't changed. I still found it slow and forced myself to read it - at least until the final chapters, when we finally get to hear about the actual murder and how it happened, and the executions. Only then was I desperate to read. I found myself attached to Agnes and was quite sad when the book ended, knowing she would be executed, despite no other ending possible. I am now quite interested in the actual, non-fiction details of the murders - if they resemble anything like what is written here, I might actually feel bad for a murderess. Hannah Kent does write beautifully, even though it took me awhile to recognise it. Especially the last few pages, which seems to be the consensus. Even if it took me half a year to read and 70% moves at a glacial pace, I did end up liking this, mainly because Iceland hardly ever gets the spotlight and even if it's about murder, totally deserves it. Also, the amount of research that clearly went into this is amazing. I commend the author.

mario

Claire E

A brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829. 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 Tóti, 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?

Laura Nisioiu &
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

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Laura Nisioiu &Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

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Laura Nisioiu &
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent