Burial Rites

Burial Rites is Hannah Kent's first novel, and I am astounded that a young, Australian woman could write with such command of Icelandic culture, folklore and history, as to make the reader feel totally immersed in the nineteenth century setting. Not only that, but with an economy of phrase she shows mastery over her characterisation of the condemned woman in her story: Agnes Magnusdottir, and the family who are forced to give her board and lodging on a remote farmstead, while she awaits her execution.

Kent had become intrigued by the real-life story of Agnes, whilst living in Iceland as a seventeen year old exchange student.  It was an obsession that stuck with her, so that later, when undertaking a PhD at Flinders University, she decided to make Agnes the subject of her research.  She had never undertaken any biographical research, or attempted to write a novel. No wonder she credits so many Icelandic librarians and archivists in her acknowledgements.

Agnes is one of three condemned to die for the murder of two men, Natan Ketilsson and Petur Jonsson at another farmstead in the North. Her fellow accused are being held with different families, and being ministered to by different priests. Agnes has requested a particular priest as her confessor, the young assistant,Toti, who visits her regularly at the farm. Her spiritual wellbeing is his foremost concern, as he seeks to prepare her to face death. In the close confines of the "badstofa", (the communal Icelandic living/sleeping room, see picture below), we learn about Agnes' life, intertwined with the lives of the local farming families and their servants. The isolation and loneliness of living in a remote location, the claustrophobia of a long, dark Winter in a small community, and the close scrutiny afforded to an outsider, which the author experienced as an exchange student, all resonate here. 

As the novel builds inexorably to its climax, she describes the bleak, unforgiving landscape in lyrical prose of stunning intensity, whilst Agnes' tortured internal monologue is laid bare. It is insightful, beautiful and heart-rending. In Hannah Kent's own words, the novel is a "dark love letter to Iceland." I recommend that Eyjafjallajokull permitting, you should read this astonishing debut novel, and book your flight!