Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent, was our May book club selection. Based on the true story of Agnes, convicted of murder in Iceland in the 1820s and sent to live out her last days (nee months) on a farm in northern Iceland with the family of a minor official while being ministered to by a young assistant cleric. It’s a gripping mystery with all details leading up to what really happened the night that Agnes’s boss was murdered (stabbed) and his house set on fire (don’t worry you get this very early in the story, no spoilers here). Well written it vividly brings life in early 19th century Iceland into sharp focus from the hardships of rural farm life, to the brutality of the seasons; it grabbed me and didn’t let go until well after I finished. I imagine the images this story invoked will stay with may for a long time. It’s the 20th book I’ve read so far in 2016 and may be favorite to date.
