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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
patsypoo'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? It's complicated
5.0
The family dynamics at Kornsá were fascinating as were the flashbacks from Agnes's past. I thought the writing was so atmospheric I was transported to Iceland every time I opened this book. I'm going for real later this year and now I'm even more excited to see it in person.
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Rape
felkyo_grey'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
4.0
Moderate: Death, Blood, Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, 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
rheagoveas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
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: Sexism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Murder, Animal death, and Death
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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!
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Body horror
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Animal death
mandkips'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, and Sexual assault