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ahoots17's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
A fictionalised account of the real events surrounding the last execution in Iceland, in 1830, that of an accused murderess.
Agnes is sent to stay with an official and his family until an execution date is decided. At first, she is feared and despised. Eventually, she is able to tell her story.
Laced throughout are (often translated transcripts of) court documents of the case, reminding the reader that this really did happen. They add a serious tone to an already dark book.
And it is dark. Or rather - cold. Very cold. The dung and furs can't stop a feeling of bitter cold creeping out of the pages, reminding you how central hearing wasn't always a given.
Agnes is a tragic figure, and she's not alone in this. You pity many characters for their hard lives, and come to respect some for their hard work and thirst for knowledge.
As I read I felt it all seemed quite familiar. It would work well to be read alongside a book for teenage readers - Siobhan Dowd's Bog Child, also set in the past about a vilified female threatened with execution.
The writing really brings out the chill of Iceland, the dark months and isolating and hard lives the regular people led at the time. The story is achingly sad. A powerful read, one you'll emerge from and immediately reach for a jumper.
Agnes is sent to stay with an official and his family until an execution date is decided. At first, she is feared and despised. Eventually, she is able to tell her story.
Laced throughout are (often translated transcripts of) court documents of the case, reminding the reader that this really did happen. They add a serious tone to an already dark book.
And it is dark. Or rather - cold. Very cold. The dung and furs can't stop a feeling of bitter cold creeping out of the pages, reminding you how central hearing wasn't always a given.
Agnes is a tragic figure, and she's not alone in this. You pity many characters for their hard lives, and come to respect some for their hard work and thirst for knowledge.
As I read I felt it all seemed quite familiar. It would work well to be read alongside a book for teenage readers - Siobhan Dowd's Bog Child, also set in the past about a vilified female threatened with execution.
The writing really brings out the chill of Iceland, the dark months and isolating and hard lives the regular people led at the time. The story is achingly sad. A powerful read, one you'll emerge from and immediately reach for a jumper.
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
Desolate, expressive, and solemn. I listened to this on audiobook and felt like I was there in Iceland seeing this all in person. Beautiful but in the most wrenching sort of way.
rpetro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Beautifully written sorry based on the last person executed in Iceland, Agnes Magnúsdóttir, for the murder of Natan Ketilsson for which she should not have been held at fault . I really enjoyed the character development, especially that of the family matriarch, Margaret, who at the beginning of the story was the most prejudiced against Agnes and by the end was heartbroken by her execution. The book does not explicitly explain why Agnes was the last person executed in Iceland, but hints at the basic injustices of the practice, especially under circumstances like Agnes. It is not even clear to me whether the story of Natan’s death as told in the book was true, given that those present were killed (unless Margaret, the only person Agnes shared the full story with, had later recorded the story.
As I read this book, I found myself reflecting on the differences between Iceland and my own country (USA). I visited Iceland earlier this year and was stunned not only by the natural beauty but also how safe and relaxed everyone felt. It is a vastly different experience being in a country like Iceland that actually values and supports each life. I only wish the USA had the same collective emotional intelligence to realize the folly of our ways, including our gun laws, capital punishment, and the carceral system. I wonder how many Agneses the State has murdered without remorse.
As I read this book, I found myself reflecting on the differences between Iceland and my own country (USA). I visited Iceland earlier this year and was stunned not only by the natural beauty but also how safe and relaxed everyone felt. It is a vastly different experience being in a country like Iceland that actually values and supports each life. I only wish the USA had the same collective emotional intelligence to realize the folly of our ways, including our gun laws, capital punishment, and the carceral system. I wonder how many Agneses the State has murdered without remorse.
hiking_pages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I’m not sure if this was an audiobook thing but I struggled with the pace of this one. I love historical fiction and the witchy, outcast elements really spoke to me - but the execution (no pun intended) wasn’t as good as I hoped.
A good storyline but not gripping enough!
A good storyline but not gripping enough!
pam2375's review against another edition
4.0
This was an unexpected good read. I had no idea what I was in for when I started this gem.
This is a historical fiction book based on the real life events of the murder of 2 people in Iceland in the early 1800's. I have read a few "Nordic Noir" books in the recent past. One thing that always stays with me is the extreme conditions. This author, Hannah Kent, did an excellent job with her characters. I really grew to like Agnes (the accused murderess). Did she really do what she has been accused of? Did she deserve to be executed? Is the sentence going to be carried out? What of the family that she must stay with until her scheduled execution?
This was an excellent first book for Ms Kent and I will definitely be looking out for more of her books.
This is a historical fiction book based on the real life events of the murder of 2 people in Iceland in the early 1800's. I have read a few "Nordic Noir" books in the recent past. One thing that always stays with me is the extreme conditions. This author, Hannah Kent, did an excellent job with her characters. I really grew to like Agnes (the accused murderess). Did she really do what she has been accused of? Did she deserve to be executed? Is the sentence going to be carried out? What of the family that she must stay with until her scheduled execution?
This was an excellent first book for Ms Kent and I will definitely be looking out for more of her books.
elizabeth2014's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sigrungjengset's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5