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Burial Rites

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Burial Rites

By: Hannah Kent
Narrated by: Morven Christie
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Summary

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 Psychological 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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Really recommend this book! One of the best I have read in the last year! A very gripping story that kept you guessing right till the last few chapters, and the rest of the way through was saw some beautiful relationships form as well as being filled to the brim with such detailed and fitting metaphors and descriptive language (defiantly recommend listening to this book as opposed to reading it, you get so much more out of it!!). Morven Christie is excellent at narrating it.
Kent has done a marvellous job in writing this book - a debut to be most proud of!

Highly recommended!!

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Would you consider the audio edition of Burial Rites to be better than the print version?

The Audio version of this book was wonderful for the expert pronouncation made the book have continuity.

What other book might you compare Burial Rites to, and why?

Although this is not really a 'comparrison' the only other book I have read to have enjoyed as much was 'The Narrow Road To The Deep North"

Have you listened to any of Morven Christie’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I have not listened to other performances by Morven, but she did an adequate job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All the beautiful prose made me actually feel like I was in the room with the characters and feeling the cold like described.

Any additional comments?

Exceptional book, thoroughly recommend it.

Don't let this book pass you by!

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This is one of the texts that my school forced us to read and do an exam on. Of all of the novels that I have had to begrudgingly read, it is not only one of the few that I finished - but the one that touched my soul the most. Kent spent 10 years on this novel, and it shows; she writes Agnes' story in a way that is so raw, painful and relatable. Her use of historical documents throughout the chapters is a constant reminder that it is based on a true story, and through the numerous times that I've read the ending I have cried, clutched my hard copy, mourned the life of a woman who I never really knew. I read this myself before getting the audiobook; which was an obvious choice for me because this is a story that I will carry with me forever. From beginning to end, this story explores justice, social classes, identity, love and the acceptance of death. Although it is a speculative biography and the events are not necessarily all completely accurate, I feel that Kent gave a voice to a person who never had one before.
This is a must-read, and I would recommend it to anyone. It takes you on a journey like no other, that touches the heart and broadens the mind. I consider it a masterpiece.

My Favourite Novel

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I had no idea until the end that this is, in fact, a historically correct story. It was recommended by a dear friend and I really enjoyed it. Great esp if you lie historical book and/or ultimately what is a tragic love stories through a variety of relationships.

Fascinating Book

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love it so much. great narrator as well. definitely recommend. It had me guessing what would happen until the very end also very interesting to hear it is based on a true story.

great audiobook. couldn't put it down

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