" I so often feel that I am barely here, that to feel weight is to be reminded of my own existence."
In a far off part of Iceland in 1829, a lonely farm burns in the night. The two men inside have been murdered. The man and two women responsible for the crime have been condemned to death. One of the women caught up in the crime is Agnes Magnusdottir. Before she is executed, she is held at Kornsa, an area farm with a reluctant family. Here, she will be expected to work and receive spiritual guidance.
There's a murder and a mystery, but finding out who did it is not the focus of this story. The introspective into Agnes' life is by far more interesting. We do find out the who's and why's, but it is not as important as Agnes' thoughts, hopes and fears.Beautifully portrayed from evidence gathered from real events, Hannah Kent brings to life the final months of Agnes Magnudottir's life. I was compelled by Agnes' inner dialogue and feelings about what was happening to her against her will and also the relationships she forged with the family at Kornsa farm. Though the family is holding Agnes, a prisoner, against their will, they learn to live with one another; as Margret says, " I have been forced to keep you here, and you...you are forced to be kept." As the story progressed I was pulled into Agnes' story. We eventually do find out what really happened the night of the fire, but that really wasn't the most important part.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review
In a far off part of Iceland in 1829, a lonely farm burns in the night. The two men inside have been murdered. The man and two women responsible for the crime have been condemned to death. One of the women caught up in the crime is Agnes Magnusdottir. Before she is executed, she is held at Kornsa, an area farm with a reluctant family. Here, she will be expected to work and receive spiritual guidance.
There's a murder and a mystery, but finding out who did it is not the focus of this story. The introspective into Agnes' life is by far more interesting. We do find out the who's and why's, but it is not as important as Agnes' thoughts, hopes and fears.Beautifully portrayed from evidence gathered from real events, Hannah Kent brings to life the final months of Agnes Magnudottir's life. I was compelled by Agnes' inner dialogue and feelings about what was happening to her against her will and also the relationships she forged with the family at Kornsa farm. Though the family is holding Agnes, a prisoner, against their will, they learn to live with one another; as Margret says, " I have been forced to keep you here, and you...you are forced to be kept." As the story progressed I was pulled into Agnes' story. We eventually do find out what really happened the night of the fire, but that really wasn't the most important part.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review
