I realise that I may be the last person in the world to read ‘Burial Rites’, Hannah Kent’s much lauded debut novel.
It caught my eye a long time ago, when it was newly published, I acquired a copy, but when it arrived it didn’t call me. I think that maybe I read a little too much about it, maybe I felt that what I read and the knowledge that it was based on real, historical events said to me that there was less reason to read this book that there were to read other books.
I picked it up a little while ago, because it had been waiting for long enough, and it was time for me to either read it or let it go.
When I started to read I discovered that, though the story played out much as I thought it would, though there were no real surprises, the telling of the story was so very good that I had to keep reading.
The facts underpinning this book are simple and stark:
‘Agnes Magnúsdóttir was the last person to be executed in Iceland, convicted for her role in the murders of Natan Ketilsson and Pétur Jónsson on the night between the 13th and 14th of March 1828, at Illugastadir, on the Vatnsnes Peninsula, North Iceland.’
The story opens in 1829, a year after Agnes –and two others– had been found guilty of the two murders. Agnes was sent north, into the custody of District Officer Jón Jónsson, to work on his farm until the time came for her execution. where she will await the day of her beheading. District Officer, his wife Magrét and two daughters, Lauga and Steina, all of whom regard her with suspicion and distrust, but as they had no choice in the matter and they had to find ways to cope.
Allowed visits from a spiritual advisor , to prepare her for what lay ahead, and Agnes asked for the Assistant Reverend Thorvardur Jónsson. He had no idea why he had been chosen. He was young and inexperienced, and he knew that he was ill-equipped for the role he was called upon to play.
In time Agnes proves herself to be a good worker on the farm, and quiet and obedient in the house. The family relax, just a little, and Agnes realises and appreciates that. She begins to wonder if a reprieve as possible; and she slowly begins to talk about her past, and about the events that led up to the night of the murders.
The story is so well told. The prose is cool, clear and compelling; perfectly matched to the story.
The setting: 19th century Iceland, its landscape, its climate, its small rural communities are as caught perfectly. The isolation of the farms and the claustrophobia that comes when many people must share a small farmhouse are particularly striking. And the atmosphere is exactly right.
The narrative moved from the third person (for the District Officer’s family and the Reverend) and first person (for Agnes) quite naturally, and very effectively. It offered insights into all of the characters thoughts, and it placed events on that terrible, fateful night, as they were lived through by the person charged with the crime, at the centre of the story.
What happened was inevitable, Agnes had realised that, but she realised it far too late. She knew that:
‘All my life people have thought I was too clever. Too clever by half, they’d say. And you know what Reverend? That’s exactly why they don’t pity me. Because they think I’m too smart, too knowing to get caught up in this by accident.’
Agnes’s story was harrowing, but it was utterly believable. At times it was difficult to read, already know how her story would end, but she had become real to me and so I had to keep turning the pages.
I can understand why ‘Burial Rites’ has been so lauded. The story is compelling and thought-provoking; the writing is rich and atmospheric; and it’s hard to imagine that a better story could have been spun around the known facts.
My only disappointment was the inevitability of it all. Of course the ending was inevitable, but I couldn’t help feeling that one thing that stood against that, one thing that suggested things really could be different, might have – for me – been the spark that would transform this book from ‘very good’ to ‘great’, from ‘memorable’ to ‘unforgettable’.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t find that spark.
In the end I found much to admire but I found little to love; and now I’m not sorry that I can let go of what is ultimately a dark story with an unhappy ending.
Fleur in her World 
I had heard great things about this book, but for now I think I will pass!
Many people have loved this book, and I was impressed with the writing so don’t let me put you off too much.
I’m sure I’ll read this at some point, but it’s good to know that I can stop feeling bad about somehow always putting it off…
It’s a quick read when you do pick it up; just be aware that it’s quite bleak, so you need to be ready for that kind of book.
I thought I was the last person in the world not to have read this one! I am drawn to it because it’s about Iceland, but although I love the sagas and Laxness’ novels, which are also dark, it does just seem so grim … I’ll bear your thoughts in mind when I next come round to considering it.
It is a good book, and the setting in wonderfully evoked, so I’d say read it but be aware that the story is bleak and so you need to pick the right moment.
I haven’t read it either – and I don’t think I will to be honest. I do need that spark in my reading…
It’s a very good book in many ways – but you can’t read everything!
I finished this book only about three weeks ago. It was not a quick easy read. I read it over a long time as it was just a tough book to finish soon. Harsh, unforgiving. Even the climate was just so difficult.
Those are exactly the right words, and that’s why though I found much to admire I was glad to reach the end of the story and let go.
I skimmed this review because this book is sitting on my night stand for me to pick up after I finish The Children’s Book. My reason for picking this book is strange. Last year I read Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. She is a favorite author and the subject seemed intriguing (a young woman murdering her employer during Victorian times in Canada). I hated the book and I think that was because I built it up so much in my head. My entire reason for reading Burial Rites is to replace the crappy reading experience of Alias Grace. That may be the strangest reason to read a book in the history of reading. I’ll let you know what I think when I’m done!
I understand your thinking, and there is a great deal to admire in this book, but please be aware that it is bleak and pick a time to read when you can cope with that.
Really? I thought this novel was excellent.
Well I’d agree that it was a very good book in many respects, but it didn’t work for me as a whole,
I thought it was spare in writing style, but that didn’t bother me. I felt it reflected the starkness of the environment.
If it makes you feel better you’re not the last person in the world to read this as I still haven’t either! I love the idea of the concept but I must admit I am put off now you’ve said it has such a sad and inevitable ending.
It is a very good books, and many people have appreciated it much more than I did, so please don’t let me put you off reading. Just be aware that the story is dark.
Your not the last person in the world I have had Burial Rites on my kindle for ages and still not got round to it. Your review has prompted me to move it up the tbr.
It is very well written, so I’ll be very interested to see what you make of it.
I’m with Ali. I’ve had it since it came out and now I think it will be the next book I read. Terrific review. You’ve made me want to read it now.
You’re definitely not the last person….I don’t even own it. I often find books I’ve heard too much about disappoint me.
I’ve found the same, but this one caught my eye and has been waiting to be read since it was quite new and hadn’t begun to attract so much attention.
I think it’s a bit of a Marmite book, either it pulls you in or it doesn’t. I read it last year and loved it, but it’s very sparse, so it could have gone either way for me.