Kristin Lavransdatter 1 The Bridal Wreath

Kristin Lavransdatter 1 The Bridal Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter #1)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03  ·  rating details  ·  1,404 ratings  ·  228 reviews
The acknowledged masterpiece of the Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset, Kristin Lavransdatter has never been out of print in this country since its first publication in 1927. Its story of a woman's life in fourteenth-century Norway has kept its hold on generations of readers, and the heroine, Kristin—beautiful, strong-willed, and passionate—stands with th...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published March 23rd 2011 by Vintage (first published 1920)
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Community Reviews

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Lisa (Harmonybites)
I really do try to be stingy with five star ratings--this came close. Sigrid Undset was one of the first women writers to win the Nobel Prize for literature--and the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy following the life of a 14th century woman more than any work is where she made her reputation. The Wreath, the first novel of the trilogy, opens in 1306 Norway when Kristin's little more than a toddler and continues through to her young womanhood--so this is her coming of age story.

For me the key meas...more
Danna
I remember reading this as a teen-ager, but except for the vague memory of a passionate romance, I don't remember it at all.

Reading it now, as a grandmother, I must say that I didn't see Kristin as heroic. By the end, when she is taking the victim role, full of complaint for all that she has suffered for holding fast to her lover, I was annoyed, thinking her a brat, a spoiled one at that. I responded most sympathetically to her parents, their personal disappointments and their sorrow over Kristi...more
Megan
Uff Da

No, Really, this book took it out of me.
I loved it, but it is dense and sorrow-filled. As this book is the first of three I cannot really review it until I've finished all of them. I can say that rarely does a book get this much of a reaction from me. I started talking about Kristin Lavransdatter like she was real. I ordered the other books via Powells this week, and it will take abit for them to get here, which is good because I need a break.

What I will say it that those who enjoy histor...more
Erin Blakemore
This book shocked the HELL out of me. Not because its content was shocking, per se, but because I am most decidedly not a medieval girl. And yet, inexplicably, I found myself sucked into a world foreign and familiar, turning pages almost maniacally to find out what happened with Kristin and her family.

I'm not even going to try to call out the mastery of this book, its miniature portrait of daily life, its meta view of themes of childhood and what it feels like to come of age. I'm just going to...more
Kathy
Feb 15, 2013 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kathy by: Marilyn Faulkner
Recommended by my friend, Marilyn Green Faulkner, in her published work, Back to the Best Books (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/92...), I very much enjoyed this first volume in a series of three.

I read the Charles Archer/J.S. Scott translation, and although the archaic language was tedious at times, the fascinating characters, rich descriptions, and compelling story kept me engaged.

I give this first volume 5 stars.

I could not find the volumes 2 and 3 that I read, so I tried to add them, but...more
Arryn
I promised myself recently that I wouldn't pick up another book until I had read Kristin Lavransdatter. Why? As self-imposed penance for making fun of Lisa's book at our recent Christmas book exchange. I even purchased this book, so if you'd like to borrow it, it's on my shelf. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The story was solid, interesting, heartbreaking, and frustrating. I was surprised at the low morals of several characters in the book, especially for the time period (medieval Nor...more
Ben Richmond
When I started Project "Read A Bunch of Female Authors Who Won the Noble Prize" I'm not sure exactly what I was hoping to discover. I already doubted that one's gender determine their proficiency with prose. But I had spent so much time reading male authors unwittingly, that a conscious effort to break that trend would probably be the best way to find out what I was missing.
I read some Doris Lessing, I read some Pearl Buck.
And that brings me to Sigrid Undset.

This was the first time that I was...more
selena
Kristin Lavransdatter is a three part coming of age story in fourteenth century Norway. The introduction written by award-winning translator Tiina Nunnally spoke of Sigrid’s love for historical fiction. As a writer, it is what she wanted from the very beginning. Her first book was to be a historical fiction piece, until she was advised to move away from the genre, citing that it wasn’t her strong-suit. She is certainly vindicated then, for having written toward the end of her writing career and...more
Sandra
As I entered and became a part of the world of 14th century Norway, I became more and more fascinated with both the characters and the difficult lives they lived. The characters live in a world ruled both by pagen bliefs and a stern religious early Catholicism, which governed Kristin's family. Interestingly, both Kristin and her mother behave much like young women in love do today. The difference is the result of their failures to conform to those Catholic beliefs.

Kristin's father shares a deep...more
Hazel
Mine is the Cassell translation from 1930. Lovely, lyrical language, rich historical detail of a period and a subculture that are fairly new to me. It definitely piqued my interest.

I found Kristin quite annoying, but then she's very young in this first novel, and I imagine she will mature over the next two. I'll go on to the second book, and will probably reread this one, more slowly.
Mary Ann
I first read Charles Archer's 1920s and 1930s translation of the trilogy (not listed on Goodreads) when I was in high school, and I loved it and reread it many times. Yes, the books were hard going at times; the English was cumbersome and archaic; but THE STORY-riveting. The painstaking depiction of Norwegian medieval life and religion was something entirely new to an American teenager, and Kristin was a bad girl, thus intriguing. Archer, in spite of his reticence, could not erase the essential...more
Siria
This is the first part of the trilogy which won Undset the Nobel Prize for Literature in the 1920s. As a piece of historical fiction, I think it's quite excellent—Undset manages to conjure up a world quite different from that of modern Europe without falling prey to exposition dumps or the inclusion of anachronistic behaviour or modes of thinking. The characters were well-sketched and distinctive, and I really appreciated how Undset illuminated the ways in which the patriarchal and religious min...more
Cottageunderhill
Historically, I agree it is an awesome book. The daily life of a farmer and his family in the 14th century and the descriptions of the Norse environment are all very real and life like. I just want to prance around in a fjord. The story however of Kristen just frustrated me. She falls in love with a man who isn't a "proper" man at all. Perhaps the theme then is: you can't help whom you fall in love with. But then, Kristen knows and feels the guilt that this will have on her family. What's even m...more
Leslie
Sigrid Undset's novel Kristin Lavransdatter was at first turned down for publication, and Sigrid was told to stay away from historical novels and write something current. However, she persisted, and the result was the Lavransdatter series and other books set in medieval Norway. Other than her gift for recreating the medieval culture and livelihood in this novel, Undset weaves a striking story of love, hardship, trust, sexuality, and the ties that bind. Set against the backdrop of a strictly Chri...more
Hayes
Got 3 stars, not 2 as it was fairly readable, and when I actually sat down to read, it moved along pretty quickly. But nothing ever happens, except for a lot of whining and whinging, which apparently reflects what was going on in the author's own life: Wiki article: Sigrid Undset.
Jessica
Where has this book been hiding? I had never heard of it til I was searching the Penguin classics site one day and it was so highly rated, I had to check into it. Now I am disappointed I do not already have the 2nd and 3rd books at my house. I need to get to the bookstore, ASAP!

The beginning of Kristin's tale is a bit boring, but once it gets rolling it's a great book. At times you'll feel like you're in an icy land, where milk and butter are the gold of the region, where the young women wear lo...more
Jan
I picked up the 1,100 page trilogy-in-one translated copy of this book and did not know what to expect, only that it was highly recommended by strangers. I am though book one now, and I am impressed, and maybe even in love? Undset deftly changes the mood and setting descriptions to match the changing Kristin. The story itself is beautiful, frustrating, hopeful and tragic. My only critique is that I was often hoping for more of a backstory concerning the heritage and history of the land. I wanted...more
Ann Canann

I love the book. This wonderful, serious, look into medieval Scandinavia - the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy - is the masterpiece of the Norwegian novelist, Sigrid Undset, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature. It was first published in 1927 and, according to the jacket, has never been out of print in the U.S. since. I am greatly bothered that no credit is given to the translator.
"The Bridal Wreath" is the first of the three books. This one tells of the early years in the rich and full life o...more
Mike
I know this is an "Epic Classic" written by a Noble prize winning author, Sigrid Undset, but for me, it was a read between a "Harlequin Romance" and a Danielle Steel "Bodice Ripper" of which, I will admit, I read part of each before having to them down because I could not take them. I struggled through this book trying to understand the fascination and immenseness that other readers have lauded on this book. If it wasn't the book chosen for our book club discussion, I would have never finished i...more
Laura
Jul 24, 2009 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Laura by: a friend
I tried to read this series nine years ago and gave up too soon. It was a cold winter, and I think it hurt me to consider where Kristin's rebellion might lead.

When I picked the series up again this year, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found myself thinking about the characters as though I knew them. It has a saga feeling, which makes sense, because Undset was a student of the sagas. The descriptions of medieval Norway were beautiful and convincing. And though the characters are all flawed, the worl...more
Kirsten
why my dad is named erlend! and he's the sexy bad boy character - Veloy (his mom)had a side I didn't know about. Though I guess Blaine (his dad) could be a little rowdy from what I've heard!
MaryBeth Nolan
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, set in 1300's Norway, is the life story of Kristin. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and so I was excited to learn about this time period in Norway. I felt totally immersed in Kristin's life and could not wait to find out what would happen next. I think the main theme of this trilogy is the far-reaching consequences of sin. Sin does not exist in a vacuum. Our sins sometimes have long-lasting consequences. We can ask forgiveness, do penance, and yet...more
Tiffany
I'm reading this at the suggestion of a colleague, who tells me that the trilogy will provide me with the most accurate view out there of the life of a woman in the middle ages. Also, ever since reading Stieg Larssen, I can't get enough of Sweden. Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature early in the 20th century, so I figured I'd embark on the journey. I have to admit that I rather like the book--despite the cover! UPDATE: I finished. I enjoyed the read. This author manages to tell a story tha...more
Erica
Individuals in Undset's Medieval Norwegian community face crushing pressures from their families and communities. Everything hinged on a good marriage - your acceptance by others, your ability to pass property and goods to your offspring. I guess marriage still determines these things for many people, but in Kristin Lavransdatter, your choices are stark: marry well, join the religious establishment, or face total social (and perhaps material) exclusion. The main character walks this fragile tigh...more
Sarah
Apr 24, 2009 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Sarah by: Laura
This book came highly recommended by 2 sister-in-laws and one friend. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint them by saying I didn't fall in love with the book. I've only read the first of the three and I've decided to wait a bit and then read on later.

It was hard for me to read how Kristin made poor decisions and didn't have anyone to go to. I was sad how she disappointed her father. I felt pained by her mother's sorrow for her own life and her inability to show love and pass on wisdom to Kristin....more
Andrea
Feb 08, 2009 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Andrea by: Janet
My friend, Janet, recommended this book to me, probably 40 years ago, but it never appealed to me. Too thick, too historical. But eventually I read it. It took me two library renewals to finish it (almost 2 months). Alas, this is the first book of a trilogy and my library didn't have the second book in stock. I took another of hers out: The Master of Hestviken. Aha! Another book I can add to my list

Sigrid Undset's women are strong, smart and brave, and sexy. I just saw the movie made by Liv Ullm...more
Alicia
I tried reading this years ago and couldn't quite get into it. Finally bought the recommended Tiina Nunnally translation and it's going a lot better!
Kristine
A wonderful surprise! This captivating literary work set in medieval Norway captured me early and didn't let me go. Why did it take me so long to discover this gem? Maybe it was to wait to experience this particular translation of Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter; in 1997 Tiina Nunnally won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in the category of translation for this volume.

Much earlier, in 1928 to be more precise, Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize in large part for this landmark work of a w...more
Jaclynn
This is a well written book that really gives you a sense of 14th century Norse culture. The book follows Kristin, the main character, from childhood to womanhood . But is she, rightly called a heroine? In my opinion, no. Since when is falling into sin and steadfastly choosing otherwise from what her parent’s would have for her right? It’s obvious throughout the book how much her father loves her and only wants the best for her. (Although I can’t entirely agree with the betrothal method/choosing...more
Katilyn
The first of a trilogy, but I believe it stands well on its own. The Wreath tells the story of a girl, Kristin, who fights between her love of her father and the Catholic Church and her love of a gentleman whose honor is most questionable.

A piece set in the middle ages that helped the author win the Nobel Prize in literature, this novel is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Modern readers may have a hard time with the interrelationships of the characters, however the cold and distant nature of...more
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The 1700-1939 Boo...: Kristin Lavransdatter 1: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset 30 32 Jul 23, 2011 11:43pm  
The Wreath 2 19 Jul 29, 2008 08:07pm  
The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1)
Kristin Lavransdatter, Part 1: The Wreath (Kindle Edition)
The Bridal Wreath (Kristin Lavrensdatter, #1)
Kristin Lavransdatter 1: The Wreath (ebook)
Kristin Lavransdatter 1: Kransen

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Undset was born in Kalundborg, Denmark, but her family moved to Norway when she was two years old. In 1924, she converted to Catholicism and became a lay Dominican. She fled Norway in 1940 because of her opposition to Nazi Germany and the German occupation, but returned after the end of World War II in 1945.

Sigrid Undset received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. Most of the praise was for h...more
More about Sigrid Undset...
Kristin Lavransdatter (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1-3) The Wife (Kristin Lavransdatter, #2) The Cross (Kristin Lavransdatter, #3) Gunnar's Daughter The Axe (The Master of Hestviken, #1)

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