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Burial Rites

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Burial Rites

By: Hannah Kent
Narrated by: Morven Christie
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About this listen

Shortlisted for the 2014 Indie Awards

In northern Iceland, 1829, Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of two men. Agnes is sent to wait out the months leading up to her execution on the farm of district officer Jón Jónsson, his wife, and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderess in their midst, the family avoid contact with Agnes. Only Tóti, the young assistant priest appointed her spiritual guardian, will listen to Agnes’s side of the story. As the year progresses and the hardships of rural life force everyone to work side by side, the family’s attitude to Agnes starts to change - until one winter night, she begins her whispered confession to them, and they realise that all is not as they had assumed.

Based on a true story, Burial Rites is an astonishing and moving book 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.

©2013 Hannah Kent (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Heartfelt Polar Region

Critic Reviews

"Here is an original new voice, with a deep and lovely grasp of language and story. Hannah Kent's first novel, Burial Rites, is an accomplished gem, its prose as crisp and sparkling as its northern setting." (Geraldine Brooks)
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I was told by a friend who’s a professional reviewer that this was one of her favourite books. But I was disarmed by everything from the moment I started listening. This is not a happy book. The content holds you too close to the story - the true story - of yet another woman who’s destiny is controlled and predestined by a culture of cruelty. The writing is so exquisite and the performance of the narrator so utterly perfect that I found myself all too often not breathing. The intimacy of Burial Rites is hypnotic and addictive and I pushed life’s needs and chores to one side to keep the connection for as long as possible. I believe this is one of the most powerful and beautiful books I’ve ever read.

I hadn’t expected this

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The ending was no surprise as a documentary was what sparked my interest in this novel and they gave away the ending. Even so, the book was not ruined by this. In fact it made it more intriguing. Well written and researched. Very believable characters and plot. Even though this fiction was drawn from factual accounts of the time it was definitely not presented in a lecturing academic way - a most challenging read that takes you to the time and place in which it was set in a very real way. Cudos to the Author.
Audio/narration was exceptional too.

Well researched and very believable

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Loved listening to this book, I think if I had read it I would have been distracted by the unusual names and spellings, the performance was superb and I would listen again.

Loved it

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Hannah's research into the history showed how tough life was in Iceland in the 1830's. Fact & fiction intertwining with this audiobook is a brilliant read.

"Well researched, written & narrated"

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Brilliantly written an read. Haunting. Wonderfully researched. I won't ever forget the story of Agnes.

So Glad I Downloaded This.

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this was hauntingly, incredibly rich and transported me to another time and place. beautifully read i highly recommend it

wonderful

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was just amazing.. could not stop listening to it.. gave me chills laugh happy sad anger recommend this book to everyone who wants to brush up on some Iceland history

abouslulty great read <br />

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Well-written, and excellent narration.
Underlying story is not recreational reading, and the narrative is prone to a somewhat dire fascination with suffering and anxiety.

A grim story well told

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I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. the story is intriguing. narrator's performance is great

gripping story

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In her acknowledgements, Hannah Kent says that this novel is a 'dark love letter' to Iceland. This is so clear in this beautiful book, so perfectly narrated by Morven Christie, whose soft voice sings the Icelandic words and names. I loved and relished every second, every word. Kent deserves every accolade she's received for Burial Rites.

Exquisite

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