Burial Rites 2 - The End (Pages 41 - end)

 RATING: VERY GOOD

SPOILERS!!!

I really enjoyed the book, which tells us the story of Agnes, who was the last woman executed in Iceland.

Agnes receives a very cold reception when she arrives at the home of Margret and Jon, her new jailers. Margret puts her to work alongside her daughters, and while Louga is hostile to her, Steine seems to like her. Father Toti comes to see her as she had requested. The reason why she asked for him in particular was because she had seen him in a dream and then some years ago he was kind to her when he helped her cross the river.

At first, Agnes keeps herself to herself, but little by little Agnes starts talking to Toti, and during their conversations the whole family are there and discover Agnes's story. We learn that her mother was unmarried and had other children, who she abandoned. After that, Agnes went to some foster parents, but when her foster mother, who she loved dearly, died in childbirth, she was left a pauper and at the mercy of the church. She worked in farms, and it is that way she met Natan. He promised to make her his housekeeper when she got to his farm, but some weeks later when she arrived, Igga, a young maid, told her that Natan had made her his housekeeper instead.

Natan played with Agnes and Igga. He and Agnes became lovers, but she later discovered that he also had relations with Igga. Fridrik was a young neighbour, a brag who rubbed Natan the wrong way. Things became tense between Fridrik and Natan because he wanted to marry Igga, but Natan didn't want to give his consent. The situation between Natan and Agnes got from bad to worse as he treated her as nothing. After a powerful argument, Natan threw Agnes out of the house, and she had to find the help of Fridrik's mum. Fridrik was incensed because he wanted to marry Igga, and he swore to kill Natan. Agnes and Fridrik went to the farm, intending to make arrangements with Igga to leave, but while they were, Natan and his friend arrive. Fridrik had to leave, and Agnes slept in the barn that night. Fridrik appeared in the middle of the night, holding a hammer and a knife, saying that he was going to kill Natan. Agnes didn't want anything to do with him, but after some time had elapsed, she went to the house, and Fridrik was covered in blood. Agnes saw Natan's friend, Petur, dead, his face smashed, and Natan was mortally wounded but he was still alive. She begged Fridrik to relieve his suffering, but he wound't, so it was Agnes who stabbed him to death. And then the lamp which he was holding fell and that is how the bodies were burnt.

This is the story of Agnes. In January Toti receives notification that Agnes is to be executed in a week's time. The reverend, who had been ill, rides to the farm and Agnes is shattered at the news, and the family are very sad. Toti and Jon take Agnes to the appointed place for the execution,a nd Agnes is beheaded just after Fridrik. 

I enjoyed the book very much, and knowing that it was based on true events makes it even more enjoyable and interesting.