Burial Rites - Hannah kent

Burial Rites begins in 1829, when Agnes Magnúsdóttir is arrested and accused of the brutal murder of two men—her employer, Natan Ketilsson, and his friend Pétur Jónsson. Agnes is held in custody while awaiting her execution, and the novel follows her journey as she reflects on her life, the events leading up to the crime, and her final days.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, with much of the narrative focusing on Agnes’s time under the care of a local family. She is sent to live with the Jonsson family, where the wife, Margret, and her two children are tasked with housing her before her trial. The family is initially fearful and distrustful of Agnes, but as they interact with her, they slowly begin to understand her story and the circumstances surrounding the murders.

Throughout the novel, Agnes reveals her past through flashbacks and personal recollections, offering insight into her troubled life. She grew up in poverty and suffered a series of misfortunes, including a violent and abusive relationship with Natan, who had a significant influence on her life. As the investigation into the murders unfolds, it becomes apparent that Agnes’s involvement in the crime is not as straightforward as it initially seemed. She is not a simple murderer, but a complex figure caught in a web of abuse, manipulation, and desperation.

At the heart of Burial Rites is the question of whether Agnes is guilty of the murders or whether she is a victim of circumstance. The novel delves deeply into themes of justice, society’s treatment of women, and the morality of punishment. The slow unraveling of Agnes’s story allows the reader to question the truth behind her actions and the nature of the law’s judgment.

As Agnes’s execution approaches, the Jonsson family, especially Tóti, the young assistant priest who has been assigned to prepare her for her death, begins to develop a deep empathy for her. Tóti seeks to understand her story and help her find some peace in her final days, grappling with his own feelings about her guilt and the morality of her fate.

In the end, Agnes's tragic story culminates in her execution, leaving readers with lingering questions about guilt, justice, and redemption. The novel explores the harsh, unforgiving landscape of 19th-century Iceland, where isolation and poverty contributed to the complex human dramas that shaped the fates of its characters.