most gripping and intriguing book i’ve read. an absolute must read

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.

An amazing, evocative read, a reflection of life and duty of a poor orphan woman, a brilliant result of years of investigation into the true story of Agnes, the last person to be hanged in Iceland in the nineteenth century.
I had not liked the second book of the author as much, it was very depressive and albeit her amazingly vivid and rich writing it did not move me, but this one, even though it’s pretty depressing also, it’s so much more.
Agnes’s story stays with you, the way her strength, intelligence, hard work, tender heart and frailty was responsible for the love and spite she evoked in others, and what regrettably also led her to her doom. But, it is during the last months of her life, where the story focus, we see those qualities of hers leading Agnes to find true friendship and understanding.
It is still a work of fiction but it’s not hard to imagine being not so different since the author presents us with true documents narrating at least part of it.
I reiterate how amazing the writing is, how transportive, beautiful and evocative, how i felt as living in Iceland, the cold, the hardship, the smell, the comfort, close quarters and confinement of the badstofa.
This book is truly a masterpiece, not only of the craft but of the story. Choosing to focus on the history of Iceland’s last hanging because it was of a woman, when throughout history those are the stories most forgotten is commendable. 
It is not action packed and it might be considered slow going although I felt so compelled by the characters I did not want to stop, and thus I hope you feel the same as I’m recommending this one to everyone!

I really enjoyed the immersive atmosphere of this story. Hannah Kent made me feel as though I were peeking through an open portal into the daily life of an Icelander in 1829. And what a weather-dependent and bleak life it could be! The ever-crumbling sod houses, the dung fires, the relentless wind, the deep Christian faith intertwined with pagan superstitions - all the details felt so incredibly real.

Agnes as a character reminded me a lot of Madeline Miller's Circe in several key ways. Strong, independent, witchy, misunderstood by many. But Agnes' story is much more dismal than Circe's tale. And yet there is beauty in Agnes' strength despite her tragic fate.

Heartbreaking. Incredibly well researched and gripping.