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charlote_1347's review
5.0
This is one of many books my mum has bought me for my birthday or Christmas and it has sat on my shelf for an inordinately long time. It is only recently, because a friend finished it and heartily recommended it to me, that I dusted off its cover and thought about giving it a go. All I can say is that I'm glad I did. I was moved by Agnes's story. The writing was beautifully simplistic but poetic. The characters were depicted perfectly, with enough flaws to make them believable. And the setting was mesmerising. Because of this novel, Iceland is now high on my list of places-I-need-to-visit. To know, on top of all the literary goodness, that the story is based on true events topped off my enjoyment of it. There is something about reading a novel that is based on truth, as if it is more urgent to impart its moral, lest something similar happens again. Agnes's character develops throughout the course of the story and evolves into an ambiguous portrayal, as the author intended (she expounds as much in the back of the novel). I loved having a character that I could sympathise with because of her flaws, rather than her innate goodness. Tóti was brilliant too - he was a balance of inexperience and unwavering faith. His interaction and attraction to Agnes was enjoyable to read but I'm glad it did not exceed touches and blushes. I think it would have detracted something from the final scene if their relationship had been a sexual one. Natan was an intriguing character - one I grew to dislike the further on I read. It was interesting to encounter all the rumour and gossip about him as I read, and to compare that with Agnes's recounts and memories of him. It demonstrated that no one is predictable or simple. We all have sudden outbursts, selfish feelings and secrets buried deep in our cores that clamber to escape. Sigga's presence in Agnes's memories and what we are told about her ongoing appeal (and its success) also hit home with me. It seems true, even for our society today, that the pretty, dim girl will always be spared a crime if she pouts long enough and pleads her innocence. Further to this, Agnes's assertion that a 'thinking woman' will forever be suspect and society will be eager to persecute her resounded with me. It has to be one of my favourite literary quotes. Fridrik reminded me of a child or a young adult: obsessed with currency, indulgent rather than considerate and prone to excessive, often senseless, violence. Underneath all that, however, he was caring to Sigga. He blew up when she accused Natan of raping her and he repented when he realised what he'd done to Natan (he didn't seem too bothered about killing the other guy). This square between Fridrik, Natan, Agnes and Sigga of violence, jealousy, passion and lies was addicting to read, especially with the way it was written. No unnecessary words, smooth narrative with nary a grammatical hindrance and imagery I could almost smell and touch and taste. Agnes's time spent in the present with Jón, Margrét, Steina and Lauga, and how those relationships evolve, was a nice contrast to Agnes's recollections and her confessions with Tóti. I loved how the distaste and suspicion gradually drained away the longer they were all together. It touched my heart and made me smile, despite the tragic ending. Normally I resent a novel if it kills its main character off and does not show the ordeal to the reader. I feel like the author has taken something away from me - made a choice on my behalf that I had no say in and do not agree with. In 'Burial Rites', while we do not see Agnes's death, Kent gives us letters and accounts of what happened that, to me anyway, have more of an effect than a death scene would have done. It provides a chilling sense of finality and reality because up until the end, you entertain a scarce notion that something will happen and Agnes will be spared. She doesn't deserve to die - the reader comes to that realisation before the other characters but everyone is united towards the end. It seems wrong for justice to be served to the wrong person but it also plants the novel firmly in realistic territory. It is the last perfect thing Kent does. She remains faithful to the truth and that is what convinced me to give this novel five stars instead of four. If you find yourself with time on your hands and no book to read, please do yourself a favour and find 'Burial Rites' in your nearest bookshop or on the internet. Even if you don't have any spare time or you have a whole library to acquaint yourself with, read Kent's debut masterpiece. You won't regret it. That, I swear to you.
bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bexhobson's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
timtamsin's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
soiwritejollytales's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stormhawk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Audiobook - one of the best performed I've ever listened to. I was going to give it a lower rating due to a "flat" plot that had no real twists and turns. Then I realized based on the author's end notes that this was based on a true story. The book is a fictional tale but follows the actual story closely. For this reason, the author was limited in plot choices. The ending brought it up to 4 stars for me. Very emotional. Not sure if that was the writing or the performance.
efimerabonhomia's review against another edition
4.0
RITOS FUNERARIOS
(australia) Hannah Kent
Alba Editorial
Contar historias es una manera de mantener viva la esencia de la memoria pasada. Ritos Funerarios es en sí un recordatorio de la semblanza de la última mujer en ser decapitada en Islandia. A través de una narración directa pero poética, Hannah Kent nos acerca al personaje transmitiendo el poder de la parábola. Al principio la historia parece simple, como si quisiera acercarnos de una manera periodística a los hechos, lentamente se va tornando en una composición lírica de sentimientos.
Nos situamos en el norte de Islandia, donde Agnes Magnúsdóttir, en pleno 1829, es acusada de asesinato y trasladada a un nuevo hogar a la espera de que su condena llegue. En la granja que le es asignada, Agnes tratará con una familia que horrorizados por su llegada intentan evitar el contacto que no sea cuasi obligatorio. Como en la vida misma, no todo es como empieza y la relación mínima se va transformando en una acto de comprensión mútuo.
Lo más resaltable del libro es esa ambientación que Kent logra poniendo la sociedad como base. En pleno 1829 los viajes largos no se conciben y las distancias eran más pequeñas que las de la actualidad, eso hace que los personajes se vean encerrados en la granja y un mundo que no cambia de ideas porque no tiene nuevos horizontes hacia los que dirigirse. Esto lleva a que los personajes, atrapados en los deseos y miedos internos, lleguen a conocerse y profundizar en sus carácteres. Agnes, nuestra protagonista, se ve esquiva e intenta ocultar de todas las maneras posibles sus sentimientos, hasta que su dolor le impide seguir siendo presa del silencio.
La historia, que no deja de ser una interpretación de la autora de un suceso real, es sin duda una alabanza de respeto hacia el personaje y su vida. Hannah Kent consigue dar voz a Agnes incluso ofreciendo una versión más poética cada vez que aparece el personaje. El peso de la historia no está en el basado en hechos reales, es el mensaje de liberación y amor cultural que transporta la autora.
Un libro que puede recordarte que en el frío de los acontecimientos se puede generar calor de emociones.
(australia) Hannah Kent
Alba Editorial
Contar historias es una manera de mantener viva la esencia de la memoria pasada. Ritos Funerarios es en sí un recordatorio de la semblanza de la última mujer en ser decapitada en Islandia. A través de una narración directa pero poética, Hannah Kent nos acerca al personaje transmitiendo el poder de la parábola. Al principio la historia parece simple, como si quisiera acercarnos de una manera periodística a los hechos, lentamente se va tornando en una composición lírica de sentimientos.
Nos situamos en el norte de Islandia, donde Agnes Magnúsdóttir, en pleno 1829, es acusada de asesinato y trasladada a un nuevo hogar a la espera de que su condena llegue. En la granja que le es asignada, Agnes tratará con una familia que horrorizados por su llegada intentan evitar el contacto que no sea cuasi obligatorio. Como en la vida misma, no todo es como empieza y la relación mínima se va transformando en una acto de comprensión mútuo.
Lo más resaltable del libro es esa ambientación que Kent logra poniendo la sociedad como base. En pleno 1829 los viajes largos no se conciben y las distancias eran más pequeñas que las de la actualidad, eso hace que los personajes se vean encerrados en la granja y un mundo que no cambia de ideas porque no tiene nuevos horizontes hacia los que dirigirse. Esto lleva a que los personajes, atrapados en los deseos y miedos internos, lleguen a conocerse y profundizar en sus carácteres. Agnes, nuestra protagonista, se ve esquiva e intenta ocultar de todas las maneras posibles sus sentimientos, hasta que su dolor le impide seguir siendo presa del silencio.
La historia, que no deja de ser una interpretación de la autora de un suceso real, es sin duda una alabanza de respeto hacia el personaje y su vida. Hannah Kent consigue dar voz a Agnes incluso ofreciendo una versión más poética cada vez que aparece el personaje. El peso de la historia no está en el basado en hechos reales, es el mensaje de liberación y amor cultural que transporta la autora.
Un libro que puede recordarte que en el frío de los acontecimientos se puede generar calor de emociones.