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Image courtesy of publisher's website.
y separately published work icon Devotion single work   novel   historical fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 2021... 2021 Devotion
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Prussia, 1836

'Hanne Nussbaum is a child of nature — she would rather run wild in the forest than conform to the limitations of womanhood. In her village of Kay, Hanne is friendless and considered an oddity...until she meets Thea.

'Ocean, 1838

'The Nussbaums are Old Lutherans, bound by God's law and at odds with their King's order for reform. Forced to flee religious persecution the families of Kay board a crowded, disease-riddled ship bound for the new colony of South Australia. In the face of brutal hardship, the beauty of whale song enters Hanne's heart, along with the miracle of her love for Thea. Theirs is a bond that nothing can break.

'The whale passed. The music faded.

'South Australia, 1838

'A new start in an old land. God, society and nature itself decree Hanne and Thea cannot be together. But within the impossible ... is devotion.

'This long-awaited novel demonstrates Hannah Kent's sublime ability with language that creates an immersive, transformative experience for the reader. Devotion is a book to savour.' (Publication summary)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Picador ,       2022 .
      image of person or book cover 2840563345707444572.png
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 304p.p.
      Note/s:
      • Published 3 February 2022.
      ISBN: 9781509863914 (hbk), 9781509863907 (ebk)
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Picador ,       2023 .
      image of person or book cover 3866086372930149661.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 432p.
      Note/s:

      • Publication date June 27 2023

      ISBN: 9781509863884
Alternative title: Atsidavimas
Language: Lithuanian
    • Vilnius,
      c
      Lithuania,
      c
      c
      Former Soviet Union,
      c
      Eastern Europe, Europe,      :       Baltos Iankos ,       2022 .
      image of person or book cover 2449550781915846181.png
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 448p.p.
      ISBN: 9786094796685 (pbk), 9786094796692 (ebk)
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Other Formats

  • Large print.
  • Dyslexic edition.
  • Sound recording.
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Works about this Work

Devotion by Hannah Kent (Review) María José Candela , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Antipodes , vol. 36 no. 1 2023; (p. 166-168)
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel

'Johanne Nussbaum is a lonely and impetuous fourteen-year-old living in Kay, Prussia. She is the daughter of devout Old Lutherans who, persecuted by the king, are applying to relocate. Hanne's true allegiance, however, is not to religious doctrine but to nature. In nature, Hanne finds God. Her senses become exalted, synesthetic. Hanne can hear "the high-pitch of swarming sunlight in an open field" and the falling snow, "like chimes" (47). Stars emit a "single note of longing" (111). Though often effective, this language of ecstasy is, at times, laid on too thickly: "The song flooded my mouth, it cracked knuckles, and the feel of it was gratifying and soul-deep" (254). There are so many lush descriptions that I found myself wishing for fewer—both for contrast and for increased potency.' (Introduction)
y separately published work icon Book It In : Hannah Kent Zoya Patel (presenter), 2022 25159507 2022 single work podcast

'Hannah Kent’s novel, Devotion, is a queer love story that is set in a pious, nineteenth century religious community. In resisting the narrative of shame that has dominated the retelling of this time in history, Kent is challenging the way authors represent the past.'

Source: Book It In.
Five Memorable Trees in Books We Love, from The Magic Faraway Tree to Too Much Lip Claire Nichols , 2022 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , August 2022;

'I read a lot of books in my job. And over the last several years, I've noticed an intriguing trend. Trees are popping up everywhere.'
y separately published work icon Hannah Kent in Conversation Mark Rubbo (presenter), 2022 24383420 2022 single work podcast

'Hannah Kent in conversation with Mark Rubbo about her latest novel, Devotion.'
Some Things Remain : The Weighty Impress of the Past in Hannah Kent’s Latest Novel Rose Lucas , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , January–February no. 439 2022; (p. 41)
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel
Devotion, Hannah Kent Nicola Harvey , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 23-29 October 2021;
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel

'The Bible verse 4:18 from Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians has many translations, but one phrase remains constant: “… for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal”. These words reassure the stricken that while God and the promised glories of heaven may be unseen, he is eternal as a wellspring of hope or guidance.' (Introduction)
With Devotion, Hannah Kent Gives Us Empathically Drafted Portraits of Love in All Its Forms Jen Webb , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 21 October 2021;
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel

'I came across Hannah Kent some years ago, hearing from colleagues at another university that she was a particularly impressive student, and I should stay alert for what she might deliver. Not long after, Burial Rites (2013) – a fictional account of the last public execution in Iceland in 1830 – appeared, to popular and critical reception.' (Introduction)
The Best New Books to Read in November As Selected by Avid Readers and Critics Kate Evans , Claire Nichols , Sarah L'Estrange , Declan Fry , Khalid Warsame , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2021;
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel ; How to End a Story : Diaries 1995–1998 Helen Garner , 2021 single work diary ; The Last Woman in the World Inga Simpson , 2021 single work novel 'Welcome to ABC Arts' monthly book column. Each month, we'll present a shortlist of new releases read and recommended by The Bookshelf's Kate Evans and The Book Show's Claire Nichols and Sarah L'Estrange — alongside freelance writers and book reviewers. This month, we're thrilled to present recommendations from Declan Fry and Khalid Warsame.'
Totally Devoted to Love and Miracles Emma Harcourt , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 20 November 2021; (p. 14)
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel
Some Things Remain : The Weighty Impress of the Past in Hannah Kent’s Latest Novel Rose Lucas , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , January–February no. 439 2022; (p. 41)
— Review of Devotion Hannah Kent , 2021 single work novel
‘I’m Always Drawn to Absences’ : Hannah Kent on Her New Queer Historical Romance Walter Marsh , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 26 October 2021;
Hannah Kent Veers Away from the Historical Accuracy of 'Burial Rites' to Craft 'Devotion', a Queer Romance Hannah Reich , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2021; 'Hannah Kent's first two novels were bleak explorations of historical crimes: her 2013 debut Burial Rites told the story of the last person executed in Iceland; 2016's The Good People, steeped in Irish folklore, focused on the murder of a young child.' 
y separately published work icon Hannah Kent in Conversation Mark Rubbo (presenter), 2022 24383420 2022 single work podcast

'Hannah Kent in conversation with Mark Rubbo about her latest novel, Devotion.'
Five Memorable Trees in Books We Love, from The Magic Faraway Tree to Too Much Lip Claire Nichols , 2022 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , August 2022;

'I read a lot of books in my job. And over the last several years, I've noticed an intriguing trend. Trees are popping up everywhere.'
y separately published work icon Book It In : Hannah Kent Zoya Patel (presenter), 2022 25159507 2022 single work podcast

'Hannah Kent’s novel, Devotion, is a queer love story that is set in a pious, nineteenth century religious community. In resisting the narrative of shame that has dominated the retelling of this time in history, Kent is challenging the way authors represent the past.'

Source: Book It In.
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (11)

Awards

VIEW ALL AWARDS (8)
Last amended 28 Feb 2024 12:02:46
Subjects:
Settings:
  • Prussia,
    c
    Germany,
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
  • South Australia,
  • At sea,
  • 1836
  • 1838
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