Burial Rites

The BBC Between the Covers Book Club Pick

By: Hannah Kent

Narrated by: Morven Christie

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick!

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.

- The Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist

- The Guardian First Book Award Shortlist

- The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards Shortlist

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

©2013 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd (P)2013 Hannah Kent

Critic reviews

"This dark 'love letter' to Iceland from a young Australian novelist tells of the final months of a convicted murderer, and is filled with a sublime, heart-racing imagery." (Sunday Telegraph)

“Beautifully written, this is a novel that will draw you in and touch your heart. Agnes will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.” (Daily Express)

”This is a tormented tale of love and betrayal and divided loyalties recounted with heartfelt honesty… An exceptional debut.” (Sunday Express)

Summary

This is a great story. I loved everything about it. I would love to watch the movie.

I was truly transported!

I read this for a book club and was so glad I did. I read mostly novels, and while most are entertaining and sometimes informative, nothing tops this story. Because it’s based on actual historical facts and very well researched, I really felt like I was there in Iceland in the early 1800’s.

I was mesmerized by the way they lived during that time. Hanna Kent’s descriptions really transported me right there with the family. I loved learning about how they ate, what they wore, and what their customs were. I can still see the frost on the blankets!

But Agnes’ story was most incredible. And to think it was true!

Thank you Hannah Kent for taking the time to tell this tale in such a profound way. I don’t think that many of these scenes will ever be totally gone from my memory the way so many other books do. I will always remember Agnes thanks to you.

An arresting telling of a dark true story.

The voice of the author is captivating, the story told is grimly bewitching, and the performance leaves nothing to be desired. I couldn't stop listening. I recommend listening to the full sample before buying. If it does it for you, I am confident that the rest of the book will not disappoint.

Heartfelt Story

This is such a great story...Used a box of tissues. Couldn't stop listening! Loved the characters! Could feel the harshness of the environment. Will listen again...

My heart is broken!

The pain and suffering I experienced listening to this was intense. Beautifully written. Haunting. Perfection!

Bleak but enthralling

If you could sum up Burial Rites in three words, what would they be?

I was taken in by the main character and wanted to hear her story as much as she wanted to tell it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Burial Rites?

I could have cried when Agnes realized what kind of man Natan was.

Which character – as performed by Morven Christie – was your favorite?

I enjoyed the two girls and the way they gave some relief from the intensity and bleakness of the novel.

If you could take any character from Burial Rites out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Margret. I would like to hear more of her thoughts. She also had a death sentence of a different kind.

I loved this “dark homage to Iceland”

Where does Burial Rites rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top ten

What was one of the most memorable moments of Burial Rites?

Surprisingly, the after-notes by the author.... where she went into some historical detail. Her research, and admiration for the people of Iceland were important elements of this fine book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where the farmer’s wife and the condemned woman shared confidences... and humanity.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Haunting beauty....

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful book. I look forward to reading the author’s “The Good People” next.

Achingly beautiful and severe

Beautiful language supported by deep research unfolds a tragic mystery in the austerity of 19th century Iceland. Characters you can love and mourn. A pure, death-themed delight of a novel.

Worth stepping out of your comfort zone

Would you listen to Burial Rites again? Why?

Yes, I'd like to listen again to pick up on some of the smaller details/descriptions

Who was your favorite character and why?

Agnes, the character really drew me in.

Which character – as performed by Morven Christie – was your favorite?

Agnes. Morven Christie is an amazing performer. As Agnes her often breathy tone really brought across the feeling of despair. All of the characters are done well. You hardly notice a change in her voice yet it sounds like different people are reading.

If you could rename Burial Rites, what would you call it?

Hmm not sure.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book purely based on the fact that Morven Christie was the narrator. I hadn't heard of it before and probably wouldn't have given it a second glance otherwise. I was not at all familiar with the real life event and found this work to be quite surprising and very interesting. I'm now off to google it to learn more :)

Depressing

This is the most depressing book I've ever read. I do not recommend it.