Burial rites

a novel

by

322 pages

English language

Published Jan. 13, 2013

ISBN:
978-0-316-24391-9
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OCLC Number:
827082645

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(4 reviews)

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.

1 edition

reviewed Burial rites by Hannah Kent

Review of 'Burial rites' on 'Goodreads'

A quick and engaging read based on the true story of the last woman executed in Iceland (with fictional elements... see author's note at the end). 19th century northern Iceland is as much a character in this novel as the human ones, with its merciless shifts that define the rhythms of farming life.

Side note: anyone who enjoyed Netflix's Alias Grace will enjoy this as well.

reviewed Burial rites by Hannah Kent

Review of 'Burial rites' on 'Goodreads'

Any book / novel that tells you the plight, the history of the poor people, which is hardly ever in the history books.
This book is worth reading if not for the whole story, which is great in itself, at least for the paragraph where the main character, landless servant, is forced to compare herself with the daughter of the landless peasant who at least can afford to lease a farm, especially the bit about having to choose between the sexual advances of her master and being thrown out of the farm.

reviewed Burial rites by Hannah Kent

Review of 'Burial rites' on 'Goodreads'

Any book / novel that tells you the plight, the history of the poor people, which is hardly ever in the history books.
This book is worth reading if not for the whole story, which is great in itself, at least for the paragraph where the main character, landless servant, is forced to compare herself with the daughter of the landless peasant who at least can afford to lease a farm, especially the bit about having to choose between the sexual advances of her master and being thrown out of the farm.

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rated it

Subjects

  • Roman
  • Amerikanisches Englisch
  • Women murderers
  • Fiction

Places

  • Iceland