In northern Iceland, 1829, Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of two men. Agnes is sent to wait out the time leading to her execution on the farm of District Officer Jón Jónsson, his wife and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderess in their midst, the family avoids speaking with Agnes.
Only Tóti, the young assistant reverend appointed as Agnes’s spiritual guardian, is compelled to try to understand her, as he attempts to salvage her soul.
As the summer months fall away to winter and the hardships of rural life force the household to work side by side, Agnes’s ill-fated tale of longing and betrayal begins to emerge. And as the days to her execution draw closer, the question burns: did she or didn’t she?
Based on a true story, Burial Rites is a deeply moving novel about personal freedom: who we are seen to be versus who we believe ourselves to be, and the ways in which we will risk everything for love.
In beautiful, cut-glass prose, Hannah Kent portrays Iceland’s formidable landscape, where every day is a battle for survival, and asks, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others? ~
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love history!
Shara x
Joining in with Ginny
gsheller.com
Oh, I can relate to the WIP pile. I am thinking I will frog quite a bit as well...
ReplyDeletethe book sounds very interesting. I have difficulty reading first person, but my library has it on audio, I am thinking that might work. we shall see - thanks for the info.
Hope you are feeling well
blessings
Karen
Sometimes, frogging is very therapeutic. Must be the new year making us all want to get organized, I'm going through WIPs too. I've added that book to my list, sounds like something I would really enjoy, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI commited myself during december to finish all my WIPs and I actually managed! This year I am being super strict with myself and only having two things going on at a time, I feel so much better. I love the sound of that book, it must go to my wish list. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I miss instagram and feel like I lost a limb and at the same time I am kind of enjoying the absence of it, anyway you now need to update your blog often so I can keep up! xxx
ReplyDeleteI too have some WIPs that I'm not excited to finish. The book you shared sounds like a very good read. I too love historical settings. The crocheted vest looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteI keep on purusing patterns and yarn but I have to stop myself because I have quite a few WIPs and need to finish before this winter for gifting. Already a winter has passed and no completion! I love when people give an in-depth description of a good book. You are such a talented knitter you should do tutorials!
ReplyDeleteI also end up with probably far too many wips, and I too frog things when I am just not feeling it!
ReplyDelete