Burial Rites by Hannah Kent Book Review

Are you looking for an immersive and compelling read? Look no further than Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites! This captivating novel is based on a true story set in Iceland during the 1830s, and tells the tale of Agnes Magnusdottir who has been accused of murder. Throughout this journey, readers gain insight into Agnes’ life and that of the small rural community she lives in. By exploring themes such as struggling against injustice, death, fear and strength in adversity, Kent creates a powerful reading experience that will leave you feeling moved long after turning the last page.

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

Set against Iceland’s stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who is charged with the brutal murder of her former master.

Iceland, 1829 – Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the 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?

Inspired by a true story, Burial Rites is perfect for fans of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

About The Author

annah Kent’s first novel, the international bestseller, BURIAL RITES, was translated into over 30 languages and won the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year, the Indie Awards Debut Fiction Book of the Year, the Prix Critiqueslibres Découvrir Étranger, the Booktopia People’s Choice Award, the ABA Nielsen Bookdata Booksellers’ Choice Award and the Victorian Premier’s People’s Choice Award. It was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Guardian First Book Award, the Stella Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, amongst others. It is currently being adapted for film by Sony TriStar.

Hannah’s second novel, THE GOOD PEOPLE, was translated into 10 languages and shortlisted for the Walter Scott Award for Historical Fiction, the Indie Books Award for Literary Fiction, the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year and the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. It is currently being adapted for film by Aquarius Productions.

DEVOTION, Hannah’s third novel, will be published in November 2021 (Australia) and February 2022 (UK & Ireland) by Picador.

Hannah’s original feature film, Run Rabbit Run, will be directed by Daina Reid (The Handmaid’s Tale) and produced by Carver and XYZ Films. It was launched at the Cannes 2020 virtual market where STX Entertainment took world rights.

Hannah co-founded the Australian literary publication Kill Your Darlings. She has written for The New York Times, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, Meanjin, Qantas Magazine and LitHub.

Hannah lives and works on Peramangk country near Adelaide, Australia.

My Review

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent is a haunting and powerful novel that transports readers to the harsh and unforgiving landscape of 19th-century Iceland. The story follows the final days of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a convicted murderer who is awaiting execution for her crimes.

One of the strengths of Burial Rites is Kent’s meticulous attention to historical detail. The novel is based on real-life events, and Kent’s research shines through in the vivid descriptions of life in 19th-century Iceland. The harshness of the landscape, the poverty of the people, and the harshness of the legal system all contribute to a sense of realism and authenticity that is both compelling and deeply moving.

Agnes is a complex and compelling protagonist, struggling to come to terms with her impending execution and the injustices that have led her to this point. The novel is also a powerful exploration of the relationships between people, and the way in which we are all connected by our shared humanity.

The writing in Burial Rites is beautiful and evocative, with poetic descriptions and powerful imagery. The pacing of the novel is excellent, with the tension building steadily throughout the story. It is amazing that the novel is based on a true story of the last executions in Iceland which makes it particularly harrowing.

I also enjoyed the way in which Burial Rites explores themes of justice, forgiveness, and redemption. The story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in our relationships with others and the way in which our judgments can be shaped by the biases and prejudices of our society.

Overall, Burial Rites is a masterful work of historical fiction that will appeal to readers who enjoy thought-provoking and emotionally resonant stories. Hannah Kent has created a world and characters that are both vivid and unforgettable, and the novel is a powerful testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a moving and thought-provoking read.

Rated