This was one of those novels that was a tough one to get in to, in some ways, because we know the eventual outcome from the start. Knowing that Agnes is doomed made it more heart-wrenching for me to read her story as she reveals it to Reverend Toti, from her earliest days through the unfortunate murder of Natan Kettilson. Shes the sort of woman who doesnt seem able to catch a break, being shuffled from one sad situation to another.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my review.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my review.
While very interesting, and engrossing, I found this book to be very sad. Maybe it was because it's set in the cold months in Iceland, maybe the situation the characters find themselves in. Probably some of both. Based on a true story, so I think this made it sadder. Recommended none the less.
This haunting novel is set in Iceland in the early 19th century and based on an actual case. Three people are accused of murder, found guilty and sentenced to death. Agnes, one of the accused, is ordered to live with an Icelandic family leading a hardscrabble existence while awaiting execution. She is assigned a young minister as her spiritual advisor. The evolution of the relationship with the family and the minister is a powerfully told transformation from suspicion to caring. The story of the murder is slowly revealed, and the end is intense and memorable. It is obvious that a great deal of research went into this book. Agnes' story will stay with me.
finished this several days ago and I am still at a lost for words. I give it 5 stars because of the remarkable writing and Hannah Kent ability to bring Agnes to life and to give this woman a voice when no one else would. This book is not for the faint hearted, nor is it for those that are seeking a happy go lucky ending. This is the story of a woman who didn't have a chance at having a good life from the moment she was born. Although life was hard for those in Northern Iceland in the early 1800's but if you were born into the world where your mother was a servant and the identity of your real father was hidden you didn't have a chance in hell of making it. Agnes suffered one hardship after another until she was taken in as a housekeeper for a man who was considered a bit mad in the community. Eventually this relationship went sour due to his madness and any chance Agnes might have had ended in one brutal night. By the weeks end she would be arrested for murder along with 2 others and she would eventually be executed by beheading.
Agnes is sent to live with a farming family to await her execution and while there we are able to finally learn of her hardships as she tells the tale to the priest who is there to help save her soul and the family she is staying with.
Don't look for a happy ending. This story is based on a true story. Agnes was the last person to have been executed in Iceland. This is a remarkable story about a piece of history that not many know about. I highly recommend.
Agnes is sent to live with a farming family to await her execution and while there we are able to finally learn of her hardships as she tells the tale to the priest who is there to help save her soul and the family she is staying with.
Don't look for a happy ending. This story is based on a true story. Agnes was the last person to have been executed in Iceland. This is a remarkable story about a piece of history that not many know about. I highly recommend.
Going in, I didn't know what to expect, & at first it was hard to follow because of unfamiliar names & terms & words -because it takes place in Iceland. And I didn't realize that this book was based on a true historical event, so that was shocking when I discovered that at the end. But overall - I love this book. I hated finishing it. I wanted more. It was beautiful.
finished this several days ago and I am still at a lost for words. I give it 5 stars because of the remarkable writing and Hannah Kent ability to bring Agnes to life and to give this woman a voice when no one else would. This book is not for the faint hearted, nor is it for those that are seeking a happy go lucky ending. This is the story of a woman who didn't have a chance at having a good life from the moment she was born. Although life was hard for those in Northern Iceland in the early 1800's but if you were born into the world where your mother was a servant and the identity of your real father was hidden you didn't have a chance in hell of making it. Agnes suffered one hardship after another until she was taken in as a housekeeper for a man who was considered a bit mad in the community. Eventually this relationship went sour due to his madness and any chance Agnes might have had ended in one brutal night. By the weeks end she would be arrested for murder along with 2 others and she would eventually be executed by beheading.
Agnes is sent to live with a farming family to await her execution and while there we are able to finally learn of her hardships as she tells the tale to the priest who is there to help save her soul and the family she is staying with.
Don't look for a happy ending. This story is based on a true story. Agnes was the last person to have been executed in Iceland. This is a remarkable story about a piece of history that not many know about. I highly recommend.
Agnes is sent to live with a farming family to await her execution and while there we are able to finally learn of her hardships as she tells the tale to the priest who is there to help save her soul and the family she is staying with.
Don't look for a happy ending. This story is based on a true story. Agnes was the last person to have been executed in Iceland. This is a remarkable story about a piece of history that not many know about. I highly recommend.
Going in, I didn't know what to expect, & at first it was hard to follow because of unfamiliar names & terms & words -because it takes place in Iceland. And I didn't realize that this book was based on a true historical event, so that was shocking when I discovered that at the end. But overall - I love this book. I hated finishing it. I wanted more. It was beautiful.
