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soph_marie's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
venus_flytrap04's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape and Murder
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
From the Author's Note:
While this novel is a work of fiction, it is based on real events. Agnes Magnúsdóttir was the last person to be executed in Iceland, convicted for her role in the murders of Natan Ketilsson and Pétur Jónsson on the night between the 13th and 14th of March 1828.
Before:
Just starting this one. I don't believe I have ever read a book set in Iceland 🇮🇸 before. I've heard really good things about this book though so I'm anxious to read it.
After:
This is such a fascinating story. Agnes is such a compelling character that I couldn't stop thinking about her even after I put the book down. At first, I thought this book would be similar to the plethora of books I've read about 19th century witch frenzy. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. Hannah Kent explores emotions and feelings so completely that the reader feels as if (s)he is walking hand-in-hand with the characters as they play out their drama. And, did I read that this was Hannah Kent's debut novel? What?!?
While this novel is a work of fiction, it is based on real events. Agnes Magnúsdóttir was the last person to be executed in Iceland, convicted for her role in the murders of Natan Ketilsson and Pétur Jónsson on the night between the 13th and 14th of March 1828.
Before:
Just starting this one. I don't believe I have ever read a book set in Iceland 🇮🇸 before. I've heard really good things about this book though so I'm anxious to read it.
After:
This is such a fascinating story. Agnes is such a compelling character that I couldn't stop thinking about her even after I put the book down. At first, I thought this book would be similar to the plethora of books I've read about 19th century witch frenzy. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. Hannah Kent explores emotions and feelings so completely that the reader feels as if (s)he is walking hand-in-hand with the characters as they play out their drama. And, did I read that this was Hannah Kent's debut novel? What?!?
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by Morven Christie
Agnes Magnusdottir has been convicted of a brutal murder and sentenced to death. Lacking any public facilities for imprisonment, the district commissioner declares that she shall be kept on a district farm, where the fine upstanding Christian family may provide a good example to her and lead to Agnes’s repentance. Margret and Jon are not happy with this arrangement but have little choice in the matter, treating Agnes as a servant on the farm. Their daughters Steina and Lauga have decidedly different reactions; 21-year-old Steina is fascinated by Agnes and tries to draw her out, while Lauga is angry and judgmental, refusing to have anything to do with the murderess. The only person who seems to care about her is Rev Thorvadur Jonsson – Toti – who tries to draw her out and is willing to listen to her story.
This novel is based on a true incident in history. In January 1830 Agnes Magnusdottir became the last person to be executed in Iceland; she was beheaded for her role in the murders of Natan Kittelson and Petur Jonsson. Kent has crafted a wonderfully complex character study based on this incident, relying on historical records for the timeline and central facts, but embellishing with what she has imagined might have happened.
We have all witnessed the storm of controversy and conflicting reports that attend a high-profile crime. People are quick to judge and may misrepresent or “misremember” facts to suit their interpretation or pre-conceived notions of guilt (or innocence). This is not a new phenomenon; it just spreads faster with 24-hour news channels and internet coverage.
Like the farm family, I was initially put off by Agnes’s closed-off and close-mouthed demeanor; she seemed somewhat haughty for someone in her position. Agnes is a woman who has nothing, and expects nothing. But just as the family, Agnes and Toti slowly come to know and trust one another, I came to trust Agnes and found myself eager to hear her side of the story. I loved the way that these relationships slowly thawed while the landscape slowly froze.
I liked the way Kent began each chapter with either some historical document of the period or a poem or excerpt from a saga. In many ways the novel reminded me of oral story-telling traditions, where a (possibly) true incident is passed down generation to generation, taking on epic proportions and imparting some life lesson to the listeners. This was particularly evident when Agnes would relate dreams and try to interpret their meanings.
As in real life, there are no perfectly evil (nor perfectly good) characters here. The ending, however inevitable, is written in a way that still builds suspense and left me breathless.
Morven Christie does an acceptable job performing the audio version. She has good pacing, but limited voice artist skill and there was little difference in “voice” from character to character, which sometimes confused me.
Agnes Magnusdottir has been convicted of a brutal murder and sentenced to death. Lacking any public facilities for imprisonment, the district commissioner declares that she shall be kept on a district farm, where the fine upstanding Christian family may provide a good example to her and lead to Agnes’s repentance. Margret and Jon are not happy with this arrangement but have little choice in the matter, treating Agnes as a servant on the farm. Their daughters Steina and Lauga have decidedly different reactions; 21-year-old Steina is fascinated by Agnes and tries to draw her out, while Lauga is angry and judgmental, refusing to have anything to do with the murderess. The only person who seems to care about her is Rev Thorvadur Jonsson – Toti – who tries to draw her out and is willing to listen to her story.
This novel is based on a true incident in history. In January 1830 Agnes Magnusdottir became the last person to be executed in Iceland; she was beheaded for her role in the murders of Natan Kittelson and Petur Jonsson. Kent has crafted a wonderfully complex character study based on this incident, relying on historical records for the timeline and central facts, but embellishing with what she has imagined might have happened.
We have all witnessed the storm of controversy and conflicting reports that attend a high-profile crime. People are quick to judge and may misrepresent or “misremember” facts to suit their interpretation or pre-conceived notions of guilt (or innocence). This is not a new phenomenon; it just spreads faster with 24-hour news channels and internet coverage.
Like the farm family, I was initially put off by Agnes’s closed-off and close-mouthed demeanor; she seemed somewhat haughty for someone in her position. Agnes is a woman who has nothing, and expects nothing. But just as the family, Agnes and Toti slowly come to know and trust one another, I came to trust Agnes and found myself eager to hear her side of the story. I loved the way that these relationships slowly thawed while the landscape slowly froze.
I liked the way Kent began each chapter with either some historical document of the period or a poem or excerpt from a saga. In many ways the novel reminded me of oral story-telling traditions, where a (possibly) true incident is passed down generation to generation, taking on epic proportions and imparting some life lesson to the listeners. This was particularly evident when Agnes would relate dreams and try to interpret their meanings.
As in real life, there are no perfectly evil (nor perfectly good) characters here. The ending, however inevitable, is written in a way that still builds suspense and left me breathless.
Morven Christie does an acceptable job performing the audio version. She has good pacing, but limited voice artist skill and there was little difference in “voice” from character to character, which sometimes confused me.
camib93's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most lyrical, riveting, dark, and engrossing books that I have ever read. As soon as I got to the halfway mark of the book I looked up Hannah Kent to read more of her work. She is a young talent that I am so interested in. I loved all the research that went into the book and the story that she told. By no means is this book easy to get through my heart and soul broke for Agnes Magnusdottir but I enjoyed the read none the less.
ana_yuni's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
currentlyreading_'s review against another edition
5.0
Atmospheric and beautiful. Really great storytelling by Ms Kent. PICK THIS UP PEOPLE!
pnilldwild's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0