Devotion

By: Hannah Kent

Narrated by: Emily Wheaton

Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of Burial Rites and The Good People, Devotion is a stunning story of girlhood and friendship, faith and suspicion, and the impossible lengths we go to for the ones we love.

1836, Prussia. Hanne is nearly fifteen and the domestic world of womanhood is quickly closing in on her. A child of nature, she yearns instead for the rush of the river, the wind dancing around her. Hanne finds little comfort in the local girls and friendship doesn't come easily, until she meets Thea and she finds in her a kindred spirit and finally, acceptance.

Hanne's family are Old Lutherans, and in her small village hushed worship is done secretly—this is a community under threat. But when they are granted safe passage to Australia, the community rejoices: at last a place they can pray without fear, a permanent home. Freedom.

It's a promise of freedom that will have devastating consequences for Hanne and Thea, but, on that long and brutal journey, their bond proves too strong for even nature to break . . .

©2022 Hannah Kent (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"So beautiful and so raw.... Impossibly good." (Evie Wyld, author of The Bass Rock)

"Exquisite...it's taken root in my heart." (Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies)

"A glorious love story." (Sarah Winman, author of Still Life) 

Disappointing

After Burial Rites I could not wait to read another novel by Hannah Kent. Unfortunately the beauty of her writing and the soothing voice of the narrator could not make up for the genre that I do not particularly enjoy: mystic realism. The author herself classifies this as a 'queer love story' in interviews, but she does not mention that most of the love story occurs between the dead and the living in the mystic sphere. Not my cup of tea. I could not finish the book. I will read her other historical fiction novels though.

A rare gem of a book

This book is big-hearted and beautiful. The prose is graceful and elegant, and the unfolding of the story at its heart wonderfully done. The plot could easily have descended into sappy melodrama, but instead Hannah manages to present a love story that is incredibly fragile and at the same time strong as steel, extending beyond life and death. The underlying concept of not being seen added a unique and fascinating layer. The narration was excellent. I highly recommend this book.

Hmmmm, I'm not sure

I'm not sure what to say. This wasn't the book I was expecting it to be and to be honest I'm not sure if it was the book I wanted. I love historical fictions and the language in this one is descriptive and rich. But, this is a sad book. It was engaging enough for me to continue listening (I have a low tolerance for books I'm not enjoying so will just give up), but I couldn't really see where the author was taking it and then where they did take it, wasn't really where I wanted the storyline to go. There's enough sadness in the world that for me, I didn't personally need to read this. Even the ending was unsatisfactory (to me). Yep, it was all just a bit depressing.

It started so well……

I loved both of Hannah Kent’s previous books - burial rites still lives with me. But I am so disappointed with her third book.
I loved the start and found it engaging. I loved the characters and the descriptions of the ship and the hardships onboard. But then the main character died and I got bored of the story. Once they’d got to Australia I lost interest and skimmed to the end in the hope it would become more engaging. But it didn’t and felt it was just dull and laborious and I struggled to finish. I wanted to hear more of the life of the villagers but all the was was constant long winded self indulgent drivel.
Not for me I’m afraid.

Oh, *sigh* (but not in a good way)

I enjoyed Kent's earlier books and have sought them out, excitedly checking if another has been released. Her placement of story and ribbons of language, such an important part of listening to stories; previous work capturing me. This one, not so much. I expected the love story to develop so wasn't a surprise, and the building imagery of the community was full of lovely detail and characters. The voyage a necessary episode of the novel to transfer us to a new land... but tbh, I have lost interest. I like a good writing device and happy with narrative being 'other than' so the death or the way it has been transcribed wasn't the issue. I just became depressingly bored by it all. I didn't care. There wasn't a point. And whilst some very great novels have no real message I do like to want at least one character to have a story-arch, one that I engage with, want to champion, or at least see the end. I have tried to go back to this book, rewind, re-engage. I can't be arsed now. The voice is just too infantile for me and it is aaalll sooo laboured. I have read a lot of old land / new Australia stories, many epic. I like a good and light historical fiction too. But honestly, this has really disappointed me. I vote they all stay back in Prussia - those struggles had potential to be engulfing. I will still look forward to Kent's next book - she is a beautiful writer.

A book of two halves

I really enjoyed the first half of this book - a good range of interesting characters, the right amount of suspense, an interesting take on an historical event. But then came the ‘twist’ and it was all downhill from there. An insipid narration, slow pace, and unsatisfactory - and unbelievable - storyline. I did finish it, but wouldn’t recommend.

Unusual plot twist

Loved the beginning, characterisation and language. Super narration added much to this but like others I struggled with the second half. Disappointed when it was so full of promise.

This is fantastically beautiful.

I don't know where to start with this it's so good and has so many layers. At it's core it's a queer love story set in 19th century Prushia and Australia.

The novel tells the story of a voyage made by an ultra Conservative religious sect from Prushia to the new colony of Australia escaping religious persecution.

It's about the perils of blind faith death, grief and love.

The writing is exquisite and it has a fabulous twist I did not see coming. I found it heavy going at first but I stuck with it and it paid me back in spades.

wow

I have enjoyed this book it will stay with me for ages.
really enjoyed it.