Burial RitesBurial Rites
Score Modern
What it's about
In Iceland's stark landscape, Agnes, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution. The farmer's family is horrified and avoids her; only a young priest she has mysteriously chosen as her spiritual guardian tries to understand her. As her death approaches, the family begins to hear her story.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for the Women's Prize for Fiction. It's a haunting, atmospheric debut.
You'll love it if you liked
Alias Grace
The Silence of the Girls
The Light Between OceansGood to know
It's bleak and beautiful, with a vivid sense of the landscape.
By the numbers
- Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller22 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz2 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #93 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #263 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #892 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1651 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Gripping
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Quick answers
Is Burial Rites worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for the Women's Prize for Fiction. It ranks #1,651 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Burial Rites about?
In Iceland's stark landscape, Agnes, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution. The farmer's family is horrified and avoids her; only a young priest she has mysteriously chosen as her spiritual guardian tries to understand her. As her death approaches, the family begins to hear her story.
How long does it take to read Burial Rites?
About 8 hours (338 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Burial Rites?
If you liked it, try Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker or The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.