Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Following a recent Radio 4 Woman’s Hour article on the short list for this years Bailey’s Prize for Women’s fiction (formerly the Orange prize for Women’s fiction), I sought out what I could find, and came across Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.

Something of a novel of contrasts, Hannah Kent is a young Australian author recreating the historical story of Agnes Magnúsdóttirt, who was the last person to be executed in Iceland in 1830 for her part in a brutal double murder. By combining the facts of the case from archival letters and documents with a fictional interpretation, Kent has woven a fascinating and compelling story that is intriguing right to the end, predictable though that may be.

The novel follows Agnes through the last few months of her life when, due to the lack of a local jail, she is required to be billeted at the home of District Officer Jón Jónsson and his family. It is told from the perspective of those living in the almost over-whelming close proximity of a small Icelandic farmstead in the dark depths of winter, and the inexperienced Assistant Reverend Thorvardur Jónsson charged with guiding Agnes to repentance and acceptance of the fate that awaits her. As Agnes’s story is revealed it becomes apparent there were more than two victims of this murder.

Kent’s description of the harshness of rural Icelandic life, the extreme cold and dire poverty are vivid and enduring. Comparisons with Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace were difficult to avoid, though that’s not a bad thing.

Burial Rites was also short-listed for the 2013 Guardian First Book Award and had my hopes pinned on it for the Bailey’s Prize. Seek out the hardback edition, which has black edges to the pages, to add to the ominous atmosphere.

This book was published by Picador; Main Market Ed. edition and is available to buy for £7.99. It can also be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.