A review by charlote_1347
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

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.