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sangsmiles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
abi_sarah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The relationship which Agnes and Reverend Toti form over the course of the story has a profound effect on the tale as a whole and reminds the reader that the convicted are human too. A search for justice lies at the heart of this Icelandic tale with a complex pathway to find it.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, and Violence
shellmoffat89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This book was highly recommended so I gave it a try. I’m glad it read it but after this I need a happy book to take me out of the depressive state I’m in after reading it.
You have to have a strong stomach for this book. It’s extremely graphic. I had to skim over a few parts because it was difficult to read. The story was captivating and horrifying at the same time. I really enjoyed the first and the third person perspective and that it jumps back and forth. Margret was by far the best character because I loved her development throughout the novel.
This book is extremely well written and impressive for a debut novel. It was definitely interesting to read a book set in 1800s Iceland.
Round up to 4 stars because of the writing, the setting, character development & research effort to make the book successful.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Blood, and Murder
atalea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
confused_cat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It felt like I was there in person. In the gritty, cold, hard Iceland in 19th century. I thought I could smell the icy wind, the dried fish, the pungent, smelly and hot suffocating air of a closed room.
It really makes me appreciate my rather easy life, warm house and all its modern comfort.
This book also made me think of life, death, and what is just. Fate has been cruel and unfair to Agnes since the beginning. Yet, Agnes strived to live.. till the end.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Blood, Excrement, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
amyteurhour's review against another edition
3.75
Definitely make sure to look through the content warnings (I'm sure I've missed some). Kent's writing was very atmospheric and painted a bleak picture of Agnes's last days. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as Morven Christie gives an amazing performance to really bring Kent's words to life. If you usually speed up the audio, I wouldn't go any further than 1.5x; let yourself sink into the story. It's really slow, but just be patient with it
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
venus_flytrap04's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape and Murder
samanthaleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Murder
friends2lovers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"We'll remember you, Agnes." She presses my fingers more tightly, until I almost cry out from the pain, and then I am crying. I don't want to be remembered, I want to be here!
This is a very slow, melancholy read with a bleak setting and a tragic ending. I thought the historical details were interesting, but I never became very invested in the story. While it's not a long book, it took me a long time to read because other books I was reading were far more engaging and less somber. I've owned a paperback copy of this for years, but will probably put it in a box to donate or sell as I don't see myself ever rereading it.
In the author's note at the end, Kent says some other books written about the Illugastaðir murders "hold a common view of Agnes as 'an inhumane witch stirring up murder'. This novel has been written to supply a more ambiguous portrayal of this woman." Unfortunately, I think by making Agnes an ambiguous and mysterious character, Kent inadvertently made her a bit flat and uninteresting.
The multiple points-of-view and tense in the first chapter made for a rough start to the novel. Agnes' perspective is in 1st person, present tense. Tóti's perspective is in 3rd person limited, past-tense. And the Jónsdóttir family is introduced in what I think is supposed to be 3rd person omniscient, but came across more like 3rd person limited with head-hopping between each member of the family. Luckily, after the first chapter, Kent mostly sticks to the perspective of one family member, Margrét, in 3rd person limited, past tense, like Tóti.
Other than those POV issues, the writing was decent, so I might try another of Kent's books in the future. Especially considering that Burial Rites was Kent's debut novel, so presumably her writing will have improved with later books.
If you're looking for another literary novel about a woman murderess in the 19th century I recommend Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, which I remember liking a lot more than this.
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment