Description
In 1829 Iceland, a young woman named Agnes awaits execution for a brutal murder she may or may not have committed, confined to an isolated farm while society judges her from afar. Hannah Kent's stunning literary debut draws from a true historical account, weaving a haunting portrait of a woman whose fate rests entirely on the stories others choose to tell about her. As Agnes's death looms, the family forced to house her—particularly the farmer's wife and their daughters—gradually discover layers of complexity beneath the sensational accusations that have condemned her. Set against Iceland's unforgiving landscape, the novel explores themes of justice, survival, and the power of narrative to shape truth, asking how one woman can hope to endure when her very existence is defined by the words of others. Rich with lyrical prose and psychological depth, Burial Rites transforms a historical footnote into a gripping meditation on innocence, guilt, and the human capacity for compassion.
Available Editions
paperback
Little, Brown and Company
Published Jan 1, 2013
322 pages
ISBN: 9780316243919
paperback
Back Bay Books
Published Apr 1, 2014
ISBN: 9780316243926
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Details
First Published
2014
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.