Burial Rites
Book description
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,…
Why read it?
4 authors picked Burial Rites as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
As somber and sobering as the Icelandic landscape it takes place in, this tale of the last person condemned to die in that remote country at the turn of the 19th century is one of endurance and hope in the face of injustice.
In vivid and atmospheric writing, Kent brings a little-known historical figure into a new light, leaving us with a new and lasting legacy for someone few knew or cared for before.
Kent has resurrected Agnes into an unforgettable, all-too-human being whose place in history would surely be among those forgotten without her sensitive and moving book,
From Leslie's list on little known people in history.
As sombering as the Icelandic landscape it takes place in, this tale of a woman condemned to die in that remote country in 1829 is one of endurance and hope in the face of injustice.
In vivid and atmospheric writing, Kent brings a little-known historical figure into a new light, leaving us with a new and lasting legacy for someone few knew or cared for before.
Burial Rites was a book that I became completely immersed in.
The story is set in Iceland amongst a small community during the 19th century, which is unique in itself, but it is the way in which Hannah Kent writes that makes this novel so exceptional. Description transports the reader to the frigid landscape, with the author having the capability to use simplistic symbols to convey deeper meaning in the narrative. This novel showed me that sometimes less is more when writing.
Based on a true story, Burial Rites has all the elements of an enthralling novel.
From Michael's list on fiction to immerse yourself in a historical narrative.
Although we all face challenges, some challenges are more often experienced by women than men, and vice versa. This foreboding and strikingly desolate novel depicts such insightful representations of the female experience that it’s hard to know what resonates more deeply—the factual basis that inspired the story, or the wild barren plains of Northern Iceland that hide philosophical mysteries of truth and sacrifice. Murder, executions, survival, love, and passion, all adorn the ongoing suspense of how the story’s inevitable conclusion will end.
From Zena's list on Arctic Circle philosophical suspense.
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