Burial Rites

Paperback. Pub Date :2013-09-12 Pages: 256 Language: English Publisher: Picador They said I must die They said that I stole the breaths from men. and now they must steal mine I imagine. then. that we are.. all candle flames. greasy-bright. fluttering in the darkness and the howl of the wind. and in the stillness of the room I hear footsteps. awful coming footsteps. coming to blow me out and send my life up away from me in a grey wreath of smoke. In northern Iceland. 1829. Agnes Magnusdottir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of her lover. Agnes is sent to wait out her final months on the farm of district office Jon Jonsson. his wife and their two daughters. Horrified to have a convicted murderer in their midst. the family avoid contact with Agnes. Only Toti. the young assistant priest appointed Agness spiritual guardian. is compelled to try to understand...