Title: Burial Rites
Author: Hannah Kent
ISBN: 9780316243919
No. of Pages: 336
Genre: Suspense
Origins: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: 10 September 2013
Bottom Line: One of the best books of the year
Synopsis:
“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 Toti, 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.”
Thoughts: Hannah Kent is crafty. She draws readers into Burial Rites with stark descriptions of the brutal treatment Agnes suffers in captivity all the while maintaining her dignity in the most undignified of situations. She keeps readers’ interest through the hints at a much more complex story than the official version of the crime, and she immerses readers into a world where money and appearances mean more than anything, and where the survival of humans in this very isolated and harsh part of the world depends on the strict adherence to laws and customs. A reader instinctively knows that Agnes’ story is incomplete but the way in which the story unfolds is utterly entrancing, keeping readers guessing and then wrestling with their own definitions of right and wrong as well as guilt and innocence.
Agnes is the best kind of unassuming heroine. Her prickly exterior makes sense given her rough childhood and life as an unmarried woman with no financial means. In fact, given how well she survives in this unforgiving masculine world is admirable and downright astonishing. Her current plight is nothing short of complete frustration at the unfairness of Agnes’ world, at her stubbornness about refusing to defend herself, and at the rough lot in life she was forced to experience. Yet, it is her sensitive side, the part of her that still hopes, dreams, and longs for safety and security, to which readers are most drawn. Her fierce independence allows her to survive in the cruel world into which she is born, but it is the softer, feminine side of her, exposed through her confessions and story-telling, in which she truly comes alive. Ms. Kent’s careful and extremely thorough research pays off in the strong emotional reactions of the reader and with the multi-dimensional elements of Agnes and the novel’s entire setting.
Burial Rites is a haunting glimpse into an obscure historical event and remote geographical region. Agnes’ unfolding story breaks down the barriers between servant and master, the haves and the have-nots, as well as past and present, as Ms. Kent brings 1829 Iceland back to life in all its desolate vibrancy. The social, religious, political, and economic issues at play behind Agnes’ fate are fascinating in their unfamiliarity as well as their similarities to current issues. Told with breathtaking clarity, Burial Rites is without a doubt once of the best books released in 2013.
Thanks for your great review. I have this book on my “to read” list.
Yay! I think you are going to love it!
Oh I’m so happy to see that you loved this one! I adored it, too, so I love seeing more people fell in love with Kent’s characters and writing. I think haunting is the PERFECT way to describe it! Definitely a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I agree. Discussing it with a friend who was less impressed than I was, I realized one of the things I loved about it was the fact that you could debate the ending – justice versus mercy, did she or didn’t she, guilt versus innocence – for hours without really reaching any conclusions. Definitely one to make you think a bit more about the implications of capital punishment and our current justice system, even if the book takes place hundreds of years ago in a different country.
So agree! That’s one of the things I loved, too. Agnes was such a complicated character, and I like how that added to tension in the book. Because even when you find out what actually happened, you’re still left with the awareness that she certainly wasn’t a perfect person. I just loved how it’s a book that you can talk about, wrestle over, and think on.
Exactly. To me, these are the best types of books.
Glad u loved it. Looking forward to this one.
You are going to love it!
Yes! I just finished this one and will be writing my review shortly! I adored it! [and I don’t do much historical fiction!] But Agnes’ story was wonderful and so gut-wrenching.
Great review! So glad you enjoyed it as well!!
Thanks, Cassie! I think it has a lot to offer those readers who usually stay clear of historical fiction because it is a character-driven novel IMO. Just an excellent, excellent novel.
I have to confess that I had seen this book and was not immediately gripped by the description. But reading your review is making me think I should give it some more thought!
It is more of a character-driven novel than a historical one. The historical details are fascinating if you like that sort of thing, but it is Agnes who steals the show.
I really like the way you turned this into a character study of Agnus. Talk about an emotional reaction at the end! Kent had me shaking.
No kidding. I was speechless.