Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Copyright 2013
Little Brown and Co. - Historical Fiction/Iceland
323 pp.
To be released 9/10/13
Motes of dust drift in the sunlight coming through the dried membrane fastened to the window. As I stare at them, the thrill of escape is sucked away, like water down a geyser. I would only be trading one death sentence for another. Up in the highlands blizzards howl like the widows of fishermen and the wind blisters the skin off your face. Winter comes like a punch in the dark. The uninhabited places are as cruel as any executioner.
~ p. 68 of Advance Reader Copy (some changes may have been made to the final print version)
Burial Rites is about Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a woman convicted of murder and awaiting execution. Because there are no facilities for holding convicts in Iceland, Agnes is sent to a family farm where she helps with the housekeeping and chores but is still a prisoner, the frigid temperatures and geography enough to keep her from any escape attempt.
As Agnus gets to know the family and is counseled by a priest named Tóti, whom she personally requested because of a long-ago encounter, her story is slowly revealed. Is she, or is she not a brutal murderer? Burial Rites takes place in Iceland in the 1820s and is based on a true story.
My thoughts:
Impressive work, especially for such a young, first-time author. Highly recommended - a tale that is both absorbing and atmospheric. I loved the chilly Icelandic setting (perfect for hot summer reading), the graceful writing and the questions the story brings up. I found the conclusion plausible, the ending sad yet not depressing because of the transformation that takes place in certain characters. I'm really, really looking forward to our group discussion.
Motes of dust drift in the sunlight coming through the dried membrane fastened to the window. As I stare at them, the thrill of escape is sucked away, like water down a geyser. I would only be trading one death sentence for another. Up in the highlands blizzards howl like the widows of fishermen and the wind blisters the skin off your face. Winter comes like a punch in the dark. The uninhabited places are as cruel as any executioner.
~ p. 68 of Advance Reader Copy (some changes may have been made to the final print version)
Burial Rites is about Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a woman convicted of murder and awaiting execution. Because there are no facilities for holding convicts in Iceland, Agnes is sent to a family farm where she helps with the housekeeping and chores but is still a prisoner, the frigid temperatures and geography enough to keep her from any escape attempt.
As Agnus gets to know the family and is counseled by a priest named Tóti, whom she personally requested because of a long-ago encounter, her story is slowly revealed. Is she, or is she not a brutal murderer? Burial Rites takes place in Iceland in the 1820s and is based on a true story.
My thoughts:
Impressive work, especially for such a young, first-time author. Highly recommended - a tale that is both absorbing and atmospheric. I loved the chilly Icelandic setting (perfect for hot summer reading), the graceful writing and the questions the story brings up. I found the conclusion plausible, the ending sad yet not depressing because of the transformation that takes place in certain characters. I'm really, really looking forward to our group discussion.
My F2F group received copies of Burial Rites from Little Brown and Co. for discussion. More to come after our August meeting!
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I've never heard of this novel, but I'm intrigued! I love the passage you shared. Very atmospheric! I look forward to your follow-up post after your meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe whole book is that way, Les. It's beautifully written. The book's not out in the U.S., yet, so that's probably why you haven't heard of it. I wanted to go ahead and write about it while it was fresh in my mind.
DeleteI've jotted the title/author info down in my TBR notebook and will keep an eye out for it! Sounds delightful!
DeleteHope you're having a good weekend. It's almost chilly here! 72 and overcast.I need to get off the computer and get outside to do a little weeding/deadheading and wash down the porch.
I wouldn't use the word "delightful" because of the subject, but it's definitely a great book. :)
DeleteJust cleaning madly, here. Not exciting. We're back to normal weather, hot and humid. I've let the plants go for the season and will probably do some fall planting in a few weeks.
This sounds like such an interesting read. So glad you enjoyed it and sounds like you'll have much to discuss with your reading group!
ReplyDeleteIliana, I think you would love this book. Yes, I do believe we'll have plenty to discuss!
DeleteI have this book on my stack and I can't wait to read it! Your post has made me more curious about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's very good, Vasilly. I'm still thinking about it.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this a lot - it has had a lot of hype here in Oz, which it sounds like it deserves.
ReplyDeleteIt deserves the hype, Vicki. It's beautifully written.
DeleteNice that you got an advance copy! I picked this one for my September book list so I'm glad you thought it good & absorbing. cheers. http://www.thecuecard.com/
ReplyDeleteIt's excellent and, yes, I was very fortunate to get an ARC (as were the members of my F2F group). It's very atmospheric - really perfect for a September read.
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