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Burial Rites
- The BBC Between the Covers Book Club Pick
- Narrated by: Morven Christie
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
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Burial Rites
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Summary
BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick!
Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who is charged with the brutal murder of her former master.
- The Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
- The Guardian First Book Award Shortlist
- The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards Shortlist
Iceland, 1829 – Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the murder of her lover.
Agnes is sent to wait out her final months on the farm of district officer Jón Jónsson, his wife and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderer in their midst, the family avoid contact with Agnes. Only Tóti, the young assistant priest appointed Agnes’s spiritual guardian, is compelled to try to understand her. As the year progresses and the hardships of rural life force the household to work side by side, Agnes’s story begins to emerge and with it the family’s terrible realization that all is not as they had assumed.
Based on actual events, Burial Rites is an astonishing and moving novel about the truths we claim to know and the ways in which we interpret what we’re told. In beautiful, cut-glass prose, Hannah Kent portrays Iceland’s formidable landscape, in which 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?
Inspired by a true story, Burial Rites is perfect for fans of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
Critic reviews
"This dark 'love letter' to Iceland from a young Australian novelist tells of the final months of a convicted murderer, and is filled with a sublime, heart-racing imagery." (Sunday Telegraph)
“Beautifully written, this is a novel that will draw you in and touch your heart. Agnes will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.” (Daily Express)
”This is a tormented tale of love and betrayal and divided loyalties recounted with heartfelt honesty… An exceptional debut.” (Sunday Express)
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What listeners say about Burial Rites
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alison
- 31-03-14
A gripping listen beautifully read
Would you listen to Burial Rites again? Why?
I don't normally listen to books twice but the character development and soothing voice of the narrator means that I would consider it here.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Burial Rites?
It is the story' profession and character development that will stay with me and the gentleness of the way the last scenes are played out. I feel that I have come away with a much deeper understanding and respect for the Icelandic culture and a fascination to know more about the county and it's history. Beautifully research.
What does Morven Christie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The way that difficult names and quotations were pronounced put me in the country. I would not have got this by skipping over difficult parts myself. Her measured delivery was do different from my fast pace of skip reasons and added hugely to the sense of place.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I was particularly moved by Agnes when she opened up to the sick mother and by the solemnity of the final procession and the gentleness of rugged farmers offering sprits for Dodi to give to Agnes.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Trixie
- 30-06-15
Hard going
I bought this book a while ago and gave up on it because it made me feel quite depressed. Anyway, the sun is out, it's summer, so I thought I'd give it another go....
Despite skipping quite a few passages, in an attempt to move things on, I found it an ordeal. Morven Christie is an excellent narrator and I take my hat to her for being so fluent with all those long Icelandic names ...but, Lord it's a dreary tale.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- M
- 19-05-17
Great characters, great description, no action.
I was gripped by the descriptions of C19 Iceland and the rigours of surviving and thriving in this harsh land & time. There is close to nil action, everything is in the character development which is handled very well. Good narrating, but often very quiet so you need good headphones if you listen in noisy areas. Long, but recommended.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rachael Mackay
- 10-05-17
Beautifully moving
Morven Christies voice is mesmerising; the Icelandic history of the people intertwined within the story is fascinating; such a sad tragic story which envelopes you right from the start! Really enjoyed this audiobook!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jengrove
- 28-06-17
Haunting story of a condemned woman awaiting her death sentence
Beautifully written story so powerfully portrayed that I felt I was there in that bleak landscape understanding all Agnes emotions. Superbly read by Morven Christie - a real 5 star performance.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marie
- 24-11-15
a book based on a true story with a lot of researc
Would you consider the audio edition of Burial Rites to be better than the print version?
yes i would but both will be satisfying
What was one of the most memorable moments of Burial Rites?
the final scene filled me with such empathy for the main character agnes
Which character – as performed by Morven Christie – was your favourite?
agnes
Any additional comments?
this book about a woman i recommended to everyone. and all enjoyed it men and women alike. it is full of suspense even if one knows the ending in advance
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-03-22
Very moving and extremely nicely written
Beautifully written, rich in words, very sad and moving story. Very sad, but definitely worth reading. Highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Isabelle Gill
- 10-05-23
Made me cry
Absolutely beautiful storytelling, both the writing and the narrator reading it. Had me gripped from the very first moment, and I’m not normally a fan of historical literary genre. Every single scene drips with ambience. The ending had me in tears - the first time a book has made me cry in years. Anyone that appreciates good writing will appreciate this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Milly
- 03-03-14
Incredibly Moving
If you could sum up Burial Rites in three words, what would they be?
Haunting, gripping, tragic
What other book might you compare Burial Rites to, and why?
I don't think this is quite like anything else I've come across. It's gripping, you want to know what has happened but there's a sense of doom hanging over it. The landscape is described so beautifully you can really imagine what it might have been like to be there, which makes it all the more unbearable at points.
Which character – as performed by Morven Christie – was your favourite?
Agnes, although they are all performed beautifully.
Any additional comments?
This book is incredibly powerful and very moving, if you are looking for something light or cheerful then this really isn't for you right now.
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23 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- T
- 12-10-13
excellent book, strongly recommend it
What made the experience of listening to Burial Rites the most enjoyable?
A beautifully, well researched, deeply atmospheric story read by a lovely, almost true-to-life voice. The story line is factual albeit fictionalised. It reflects the Icelandic society at the time, its prejudices against women and the power held by class and religion, but above all men.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The main character, which was complex and very human.
Have you listened to any of Morven Christie’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no, i am not familiar with her work.
Any additional comments?
I strongly recommend this very atmospheric book.
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4 people found this helpful