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fbarros's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
I have to give a lot of credit to the author on this one. This book, centered on the characters and their personal journeys, had me absolutely captivated.
I was genuinely anxious while reading it even though the plot is already fixed. It made me reflect on what it means to come to terms with death, injustice, and honestly, I couldn't put it down.
The only minor quibble I have is that I wished for more exploration of those breathtaking Icelandic landscapes. Nevertheless, the desolation of certain places is definitely conveyed, which significantly influenced the overall atmosphere of the book.
After another emotionally charged read, I think it's time for a break from sad books
I was genuinely anxious while reading it even though the plot is already fixed. It made me reflect on what it means to come to terms with death, injustice, and honestly, I couldn't put it down.
The only minor quibble I have is that I wished for more exploration of those breathtaking Icelandic landscapes. Nevertheless, the desolation of certain places is definitely conveyed, which significantly influenced the overall atmosphere of the book.
After another emotionally charged read, I think it's time for a break from sad books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content, and Grief
writingcaia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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 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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Body horror
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Animal death
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
mcsquared789's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
rosebud_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this story was well written and atmospheric. Agnes is a very sympathetic character up to a point. I have some minor hang-ups over the ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
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