logo

36 pages 1 hour read

Hannah Kent

Burial Rites

Hannah KentFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Hannah Kent

Burial Rites

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iceland • 1820s

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, based on the true story of the last woman publicly executed in Iceland, follows Agnes Magnusdottir, a servant sentenced to death for the murder of two men, including her lover and employer. As Agnes awaits execution at a government official’s house, she seeks spiritual counsel, revealing her past and raising questions of her guilt. The narrative shifts between characters' perspectives, including the family's evolving view of Agnes and the relentless District Commissioner's determination to carry out her sentence.

Dark

Melancholic

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

131,996 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent has garnered praise for its evocative prose and meticulous historical detail, immersing readers in 19th-century Iceland. Critics commend Kent's ability to elicit empathy for her characters, particularly Agnes Magnúsdóttir. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative bleak. Overall, it is lauded for its atmospheric storytelling and emotional depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Burial Rites?

A reader captivated by the haunting beauty of historical fiction and the intimate exploration of complex characters would enjoy Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. Fans of Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace or Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale will appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and emotional depth.

4.1

131,996 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Iceland • 1820s

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.