Burial Rites is a fiction book based on real events that occurred in Iceland in the early 1800s. Agnes Magnusdottir is charged with the brutal murder of two men and is ordered to reside with a family and serve as their maid until her execution. Agnes is treated harshly by the townspeople and the family. She is viewed as a monster and they fear her. Young Reverend Thorvardur has been assigned to council Agnes and he is hopeful that he can steer her toward repentance before her death. It is during the many conversations with the reverend that Agnes shares her version of events that occurred that lead to murder. The family that was initially fearful of her is distraught when her execution day arrives.
This book is beautifully written and I found myself feeling very sympathetic toward Agnes and the difficult life she lead. This is a dark, sad novel. There’s no happy ending here. Agnes Magnusdottir was the last person to be beheaded in Iceland.