Scan barcode
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
pgmoon'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
4.0
One of the best things about the writing is the style. The narration switches up—some parts are told in a straightforward way with other characters, but when we get into Agnes’ thoughts, it reads like poetry. Those parts are just stunning! Kent’s imagery and the way she captures Agnes’ emotions really pull you in. Also, the side characters are surprisingly interesting, especially Margret,
Even though I had an idea of how things would end
The book has a slower pace, which I liked, though I could see it being a bit too slow for some people. A few of the characters are definitely meant to be disliked, and while that could come off as a bit much, but I thought it worked to build tension.
There are some small detractors - Tóti, a character (who I really enjoy, especially his conversations with Agnes) who starts out as pretty important but then seems to vanish for a while, only to pop back in a bit abruptly. And things wrap up really fast once Agnes finally shares what happened the night of the murder—I felt like I’d hit a sudden finish line.
That said, I still thought this book was very good! I don’t know much about Icelandic culture, but from the notes, it’s clear Kent did a ton of research, and the setting felt super authentic. If you’re into historical fiction about complex women and their struggles, I’d totally recommend Burial Rites!
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, and Police brutality
viaanne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Sexism
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
mackli'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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
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
kimmillington'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
3.5
Much of the landscape and the plot is bleak, foreboding and inescapable so there is a dull misery and inevitability to the course of the story. There are no surprising twists and when Agnes finally tells her tale, it is much as the reader would anticipate.
This book therefore has very little in terms of plot development and is all about reflecting on the thoughts and actions of the characters.
There are a diverse range of complex characters which adds interest and the reader does become particularly sympathetic to Agnes. She is a well rounded character, illiciting a feeling of sympathy but also dread when she makes decisions and takes action to do things that are as damaging to herself as the actions and decisions of others.
I am unsure about why Tóti’s story includes some level of desire and romantic feeling for Agnes as this element didn’t have legs and didn’t develop into anything. Is this perhaps a spiritual aside- the difficulty for those that give their life to God to walk the line between feeling a higher spiritual purpose whilst experiencing carnal desires.
I am also unsure why Margrét laid out her clothes near to the end of the book. Obviously Lauga relinquishing her brooch was relevant to her realising all was not as it first seemed, but I don’t understand the relevance of Margrét’s actions.
I also don’t understand why Tóti suffered a long and debilitating illness- Agnes could have told her story through Tóti as easily as she did through Margrét so I’m unsure why the author chose to cut Tóti from the narrative for several months.
I did not like the historical letters included. I found them dull and two dimensional and did not really add anything to the story. I understand it was important to the author to include them to nail the narrative to the true story but I felt they were unnecessary.
A dark and mostly depressing read- well written but uneventful and unsurprising.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
dreamerfreak'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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Vomit, Abandonment, and Alcohol
royalrainboww's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail