You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

***We have added some extra information about book discussions to this post (see 'a note on discussion' below). Please read it carefully. Thanks!***

One of the group reads for May is Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Please discuss the book in this thread.

Saar will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during May 2019.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I absolutely loved this book and remember that while reading I kept wishing I was reading it as a group or buddy read. Hope you'll enjoy and have a good discussion!

I also loved it, and I think it has material for a great discussion. What I remember the most is how atmospheric it was.

Here is the link to the 2014 group read discussion of Burial Rites if you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm planning to read this one this month. :) I hope to start in a few days.

I am just waiting on word from the library to pick up 👍

I've started a few days ago, so I'm eager to read your thoughts on it. For now I can say that it is written in the typical Scandinavian way that most thrillers are written: slow, but interesting.

Thoughts on chapter 1 and 2:
(view spoiler)[I can't imagine on taking a prisoner, a murderer into my house for the upcoming trial. From the start you can notice that there is research done about Iceland and the way of living. Although Lauga is the youngest one, she seemed to me the smartest. I think Steina is a bit behind, the way she reacts? About the writing so far: it's very visual/discribing and a bit lyrical or poetic at times: f.e. when Agnes is carried on the horses and she's thinking in the meanwhile when they're going to kill her and where they are going to store her, like butter or smoked meat. It's almost you can feel yourself sitting in her place on the horse. (hide spoiler)]

I'm now on chapter 7, but will post my thoughts later after everyone has a bit catched up.

I would love to read your thoughts on chapter 7 Saar :)

I was in doubt whether I would read the spoilers or not, as I was considering rereading this one as I loved it so much but have also forgotten a lot. Don't think I'll get round to rereading now though, so I'll read the spoilers.

I don't remember enough to discuss in detail, but I do remember having similar thoughts about the writing and atmosphere of the book as you describe in your spoiler on chapters 1 and 2.

I haven't read the reactions in the other topic, as to keep my mind blank on reading this. So that's for later.

Chapter 3 untill 6: (view spoiler)[It seems that there's a lot of superstition and witchcraft in the story, but not always noticable: suspicious marks on the body, colour of hair, language...Women seem to be seen as hardworking, but if they are a bit too smart, they are dangerous and that's why Agnes is condamned to death. I think there is more to her story, more to what she is telling Toti. Maybe on that fatal night, nothing happened like it was told. Toti is not the priest he supposed to be, but he let's Agnes tell her story and he listens to her. Although it might not seem that way, maybe it's helping Agnes to deal with her situation. It must be hard to return to the farm where Inga has died.
And also there's a noticable line in the story: if you are pious and hard working, then you get some sort of respect. Otherwise, if you are seen like Nathan, who was someone who cured/threated people with natural elements, than you had a bond with the Devil. Also the reason why Fridrik commited the murder, was because he was badly educated. His mother went hysterical and for reverant Johann and Borgdäll that was reason enough that Fridrik commited the murder. I think Borgdäll and others don't look further than the things that are shown. (hide spoiler)]

Changed my mind! I'm going to reread this. I just found out that the farm still exists (it's now a spot for seal watching), and it's basically on our route in Iceland this summer. I don't think there's anything about the book or murder there, but still, it would be interesting to visit. But better with the book fresh(er) in my mind.

I'll start tomorrow.

By the way, did you know it's currently made into a movie? Jennifer Lawrence plays Agnes.

Haha, I knew you would re - read, Peggy, I had a feeling ;)
It would be a very interesting place to visit with the story in your mind. That gives the experience of visiting a little extra. I've also recommended it to a collegue who is travelling to Iceland this summer.
I didn't know there was a movie. I'm going to search for it when I've finished reading. Thanks for the tip!

Lol, you know me better than I know myself ;-)

The movie isn't finished yet. I also couldn't find a date. I think they're currently filming it.

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I'm now on chapter 7, but will post my thoughts later after everyone has a bit catched up."

Go ahead and post your thoughts while you remember them. People can read them as they go then! I'd like to read them - I loved this book when I read it for the last group read.

Thanks for letting us now about the movie Peggy. I will definitely watch it!

I just showed Rob the book and told him very excitedly about the story and the farm and that we will be near it. He automatically assumed that meant we'll go there, haha ;-) And then called me slightly crazy. But he's happy to go given the seals and that he can drive a remote gravel road for 90 minutes to get there.

Are you going to Iceland then Peggy?

Yes, for 16 days in August :)

Peggy wrote: "Yes, for 16 days in August :)"

Ooh nice. You'll have to let me know all about it. We're thinking about going later in the year if i can convince Rob.

I will!


Huh. I just changed the book from 'read' to 'currently reading' and GR seems to have deleted my previous review! It shouldn't do that, should it? :(

It's still there Peggy - I can see it.

Apparently I used another edition when I marked it as 'currently reading'. I can see it again now too :)

I was a bit worried that I had perhaps idealized this book in my head, but I'm as intrigued, absorped and engaged from page 1 as I was the first time. And the writing!! If I compare that to the previous book I read it's a world of difference. The way the sentences are formulated, the story is told, the atmosphere is created.. incredible!

Chapters 1 and 2: (view spoiler)[ Steina does indeed seem a bit behind. Or socially akward maybe? I don't like her. I do like Lauga.

I was afraid that Margret would mistreat Agnes, but she's actually showing her some kindness. Or at least treats her like a human being. I'm glad.

I wonder how Agnes knows the reverend. Apparently neither her face nor her name ring a bell for him.

And apparently Natan and Agnes cared for each other at some point. I wonder what happened that he's dead and she accused of his murder. (hide spoiler)]

Normally I would have gone to Iceland to 6 years ago, to do the roadtrip with the horses to lead the wild horses in October from the summer pasture to the winter pasture, but then I got pregnant faster than expected, hahaha ;)

About the sisters:
(view spoiler)[Maybe Steina is a bit childish or a bit innocent? She's like a little puppy sometimes in following Agnes. I don't dislike her, but not like her too. Lauga is a bit jealous, I think, because everyone is threating Agnes like a normal person, but I think it's innevitable that they get a bond with her. She's not really part of the family, but she isn't a stranger anymore. (hide spoiler)]

About the reverant: (view spoiler)[It will be revealed how Agnes knew Jon. But it was a long time ago and the first time wasn't actually a 'real meeting'. Unlike the other priests, he listens to Agnes and he's not judgemental. He doesn't preach like the other priests. I don't know if Toti likes it or not, but they form a sort of a friendship. (hide spoiler)]

I'm now on chapter 9:
(view spoiler)[If Agnes actually did what she was accused for, then I think it was due of several circumstances. She was left by her mother, never new family and lived on the edge of society. Then she got to know Nathan and sees her herself as the lady of the household, but then it got taken away. Maybe Agnes then snapped? (hide spoiler)]

Hannah Kent has a way to portrait her characters really alive. It's like you can see the characters before you, that they come to life.
Also, she has a very visual and lirical writing style.
And I have this feeling that not the crime is the center of the story, but the relationships between everyone that is involved with Agnes.

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Normally I would have gone to Iceland to 6 years ago, to do the roadtrip with the horses to lead the wild horses in October from the summer pasture to the winter pasture, but then I got pregnant fa..."

That sounds really cool! Maybe you'll have another chance to do something like that in the future, when your child(ren) is/are older.

I hope so, if I can get someone to come with me to do this round - up.

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Hannah Kent has a way to portrait her characters really alive. It's like you can see the characters before you, that they come to life.
Also, she has a very visual and lirical writing style.
And I ..."

I agree with all of this. I've now finished chapter 4 and see how relationships develop. Agnes (view spoiler)[ has opened up to Toti and Steina seems to care for her now she realized they met before and Agnes helped them.

Poor Agnes. She definitely had a rough life and lived in a rough time and place. (hide spoiler)]

I picked up my copy from the library last evening, and am looking forward to starting after work tonight 😃 gotta get caught up lol

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I haven't read the reactions in the other topic, as to keep my mind blank on reading this. So that's for later.

Chapter 3 untill 6:..."

I enjoy reading your comments Saar. (view spoiler)[ it seems indeed like people were very superstitious in that time. Blondal said that fridrik's freckles and red hair already indicated bad things about him. He does seem like he has a certain idea and only looks for things which confirm those. He seems to have a specific dislike of agnes and has made up a story of what happened that night based only on his imagination. I'm glad he didn't convince Toti, but Toti also didn't really stand up to him either.

I do wonder whether Agnes was involved in the murder. If she was, I don't believe it was for money or out of jealousy. It seems more like a situation that went out of control. (hide spoiler)]

I was finally able to start the book today, but I only got halfway through the second chapter so I can't read any of the spoilers yet. I hope to read more tomorrow so I can join the discussion. So far, I think it's an interesting start to the book and I get the feeling that (view spoiler)[not everything is as it seems. (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "I picked up my copy from the library last evening, and am looking forward to starting after work tonight 😃 gotta get caught up lol"

Did you start it Jenn?

Curious to hear your thoughts, and Kristie's too!

And how about you Saar? Are you still reading or have you finished?

Saar The Book owl wrote: "About the sisters:
[spoilers removed]

About the reverant: [spoilers removed]

I'm now on chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

Finally I can read your spoilers.

(view spoiler)[ I worry Lauga might do something bad to Agnes. Or does something that Agnes gets blamed for. I don't trust her at all. At the beginning of the book it seems Lauga was more reasonable about the whole thing and Steina was scared, but now it seems the other way around. Although Steina does seem to become admiring and dependent on Agnes, always following her and asking questions. The whole family is now more open to and trusting of Agnes, even Jon. I think it will be hard on them when she's executed.

Maybe jealousy is what caused the murder? At the end of chapter 9, after the description of Agnes' early relationship with Natan, it said something like 'and all that time there was Sigga'. So perhaps Agnes thought she was the only one for Natan and that she would become the main maid of the farm, but then she found out that either he had a relationship with Sigga too or gave her the job or both. And like you say, her difficult past won't help matters either. (hide spoiler)]

Peggy wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I haven't read the reactions in the other topic, as to keep my mind blank on reading this. So that's for later.

Chapter 3 untill 6:..."

I enjoy reading your comments Saa..."

I think in the Middle Ages they had books about physical remarks to recognize a witch. And what the church said about them, was the law. It wasn't only in Iceland, but in other countries too. If you looked a bit 'off', then you could be seen as a witch.

For Anges, when I read what had actually happened that night, it was an unfortunated event. (view spoiler)[ I think her whole life she was looking for love, for the warmth of a family and she thought that she had found that in Nathan, but he was just using people. It was in staying with the family of Margret that she actually felt how a family should be. (hide spoiler)]

Peggy wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Hannah Kent has a way to portrait her characters really alive. It's like you can see the characters before you, that they come to life.
Also, she has a very visual and lir..."

About Steina: (view spoiler)[ She has a lot of common with Agnes, maybe that's why Steina liked Agnes. Agnes kept her distance to Steina, but she grew on her. She was sometimes like a puppy. (hide spoiler)]

About the baby of Roslin: (view spoiler)[ . Agnes saved her baby, but wouldn't touch it. That was because of the baby from Igga that died in her arms. She always thought it was her fault and therefore she wouldn't held this baby. This event caused for Agnes to be seen as a human being, not for the murdere she was. (hide spoiler)] I think that was an important twist in this story.

Kristie wrote: "I was finally able to start the book today, but I only got halfway through the second chapter so I can't read any of the spoilers yet. I hope to read more tomorrow so I can join the discussion. So ..."

Your correct, Kristie, near the end it will develop into what actually happened.

Peggy wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I picked up my copy from the library last evening, and am looking forward to starting after work tonight 😃 gotta get caught up lol"

Did you start it Jenn?

Curious to hear your thoug..."

I've finished a couple of days ago, but couldn't post sooner. Work was very busy, but mostly I needed to let it sink.

Peggy wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "About the sisters:
[spoilers removed]

About the reverant: [spoilers removed]

I'm now on chapter 9:
[spoilers removed]"

Finally I can read your spoilers.

I worry Lau..."

About Lauga and Steina:
(view spoiler)[ I didn't think that Steina actually really saw the danger of having a criminal in the house. It was more like she saw her as a possible friend, someone she knew from before and a new wind in the house. As it gets told, the days can be very long and dark and I think she was maybe a sort of happy to have someone new in the house, next to all the work they had to do. It was inevitable that Agnes would grew on them. She became sort of part of the family and they saw her as a human, not as someone bad. (hide spoiler)]

About Nathan:
(view spoiler)[He was the reason for all of this, but maybe he also was depressed. He had this moodswings and Iceland is known for high depression rates and suicide rates, because of the long nights, the isolation...I think he wanted to live in a sort of commune. He was not bound to the rules of the church, he didn't follow them...As Agnes was looking for someone to love and to settle with and drun her own homestead, she was an easy target for him. Sigga didn't know better, I think, she was so young. (hide spoiler)]

A bit about the history: (view spoiler)[ I didn't know that sending criminals to be locked up/murdered was cheaper abroad. Maybe the countries were bigger and the facilities were 'better'...Due to the bad mouthing and the made up stories Agnes could be seen as a witch, especially with the criteria they had to recognize them, but she got an 'easy' death, looking on what was done to witches. I can't imagine, though, that I have to house a criminal in my house. Why weren't there any prisons? Maybe it was to expensive or they didn't expect people to murder: there was a lot to do on Iceland, death rates were high, because of malnutrition, starvation...People where also isolated due to the geographic of the country. (hide spoiler)]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Further thoughts about Agnes:
(view spoiler)[She was condamned right at the moment when Blondal came in the picture. He didn't gave her a fair chance to do her story, but he made his own and spread it. Everyone saw her as a cold blooded killer and nothing more. He was loyal to Nathan, because he cured his wife and maybe that's why he allready made his opinion about Agnes. It was like Agnes wasn't part of the community, because she was a pauper and because of that she couldn't earn her place and maybe that was why because Sigga saw her as the work maid. (hide spoiler)]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "A bit about the history: I didn't know that sending criminals to be locked up/murdered was cheaper abroad. Maybe the countries were bigger and the facilities were 'better'...Due to the bad mouthing..."

I guess prisons weren't worth the cost. I think criminality was very low back then and Iceland wouldn't have had many people living in it. It was also part of Denmark, so there would have been prisons in Denmark and generally prisoners were sent there. However, I think Bjöndall wanted to make a point by keeping the three in Iceland and executing them there. Still, you'd think they might then create a temporary prison, but if I remember correctly it was said that there were no suitable facilities. At the Stora-Borg farm, Agnes was in prison though, chained in that dark room.

Yes Peggy, I’m almost halfway done, just having difficulty getting close enough to the desktop computer so I can post properly and read the spoilers.
This is one of those times that I regret him coming back from his camp job lol

I'm starting this today. I've read just enough of this thread to see how much you're all liking it. I can't wait to read spoilers later.

First of all, I'm reading this as an ebook, but I wish I had the audio version. I tend to get hung up on names of people and places that I don't know how to pronounce. It distracts me a little. Beyond that, this book starts out really strongly.

Chapters 1 and 2: (view spoiler)[I like how the author intersperses letters and documents, third person narrative, and Agnes's first person account of her situation. We're getting to see this from all sides, and I think that's adding to the appeal of the story.

Agnes is an interesting character. We, being able to see inside her head, have some sympathy for her at this point. The family who is required to house her until the execution doesn't have that luxury, and I cannot imagine how frightening it would be to live under the same roof as a convicted murderess. I am assuming that more facts are going to come out that may change their minds about her, but for now at least, they are in a terrible position.

I'm confused about the situation so far with the assistant reverend and his father. Do they get along? And how does Agnes know him even though he doesn't seem to recognize her? (hide spoiler)]

Time to read on.

I'm somewhere in chapter 5, at 34%.

Tricia, I'm listening to the audio and I still have some confusion around the names. They just sound foreign to my ears, so I need to concentrate a little to keep track.

Responding to chapters 1 & 2 spoilers: (view spoiler)[

I also like that we can see/hear what Agnes is thinking. It makes you feel for her and gives you a sense of what it would be like to be in her position.

I think the younger sister is more mature than the older. She also seems to have better manners in general.

I also agree that it would be terrifying to have someone you believe to be a murderer in your home. I can't imagine someone telling me I would need to have a murderer living under my roof with my children. Plus, they called her husband away when she was arriving and delivered her in the middle of the night! I would have been outraged to have my husband called away while they were delivering a murderer to my home with just me and my children and she's sick. Geez. She was actually pretty brave to have her unchained immediately.
(hide spoiler)]

Up to 34% (view spoiler)[ Do I have the sisters mixed up? Is it the younger sister that speaks to Agnes? I thought it was the older immature one that was rude to her and the younger that recognized her.

The reverend seems to be in over his head in some ways, but will likely be just what she needs. I think he will grow a lot from this experience.

He and his father seem to be pretty distant, but not necessarily as if they dislike each other. I wonder if the father is just trying to be more professional and lead him in his religious training, maybe also teaching by example? Their interactions seem to indicate that they have a more formal and less affectionate relationship.
(hide spoiler)]

Tricia wrote: "First of all, I'm reading this as an ebook, but I wish I had the audio version. I tend to get hung up on names of people and places that I don't know how to pronounce. It distracts me a little. Bey..."

I also wondered about the priest and his father. (view spoiler)[ My impression was that it's not that they don't get along, but that Toti has been raised in a tough way which maybe was common in that time. So not much outward love but strictness and such. I also wonder where his mom is. I guess she's not alive anymore, maybe that also has something to do with their relationship? I wonder if we'll learn more about this. (hide spoiler)]

I also very much appreciate the research that has been done. I think the letters and documents are actually translations of the real documents. Some of them, at least. I googled a bit about it and I found a website where it showed pictures of some of the original letters.

Kristie wrote: "I'm somewhere in chapter 5, at 34%.

Tricia, I'm listening to the audio and I still have some confusion around the names. They just sound foreign to my ears, so I need to concentrate a little to k..."

About the sisters: (view spoiler)[ the older one (Steina) seems more immature, and she's the one who speaks with Astrid and recognized her from before. The younger one (Lauga) is more distant. In the very beginning it seemed the other way around though. When Blondal arrived with the news, Steina stressed out and Lauga was more accepting of what they had to do. (hide spoiler)]