Scan barcode
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: Death of parent, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Chronic illness, Classism, Gore, Animal death, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Toxic relationship, Torture, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Ableism, Blood, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
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: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit
fbarros's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
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
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content, and Grief
mollz77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Murder, and Death
Minor: Violence, Cursing, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Animal death, and Rape
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: Blood, Death, Murder, and Infidelity
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual content
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, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
sarah_speaks'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Animal death, Gore, Domestic abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Sexism, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Pregnancy and Chronic illness
lisabee'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
folksong'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, and Rape
amooseinwater'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence