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Kristin Lavransdatter (Kristin Lavransdatter #1-3)
In her great historical epic Kristin Lavransdatter, set in fourteenth-century Norway, Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset tells the life story of one passionate and headstrong woman. Painting a richly detailed backdrop, Undset immerses readers in the day-to-day life, social conventions, and political and religious undercurrents of the period. Now in one volume, Tiina Nunnally's a...more
Paperback, 1168 pages
Published
September 27th 2005
by Penguin Classics
(first published 1922)
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Milo
rated it
Well, well, well, Miss Undset has made it onto my 10-star list. She should be proud. She also won a Nobel Prize for her work, so there is that. Her Kristin Lavransdatter books are unquestionably works of massive scope on par with JRR Tolkien's Lord Of the Rings. A strange comparison, you say? Well I agree with you. The only thing that comes to mind immediately is the length of the two. But there is so much more. Where LOTR was preparation for battle with Sauron's forces, Kristin Lavransdat...more
Brilliant and beautiful! I just finished Kristin Lavransdatter and it has easily earned a place in my favorite books ever. Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize in Literature for Kristin Lavransdatter while still in her prime and it was well earned. For those reading it for the first time, I strongly recommend the most recent translation by Tiina Nunnally. The original translation into english by Charles Archer, which I tried to read unsuccessfully several years ago, is filled with unauthentic arha...more
Set in 14th century Norway, this novel follows the story of Kristin Lavransdatter from the age of 7 to the 51. Christianity is firmly established in Norway, but vestiges of paganism remain when famine or plagues strike. Undset won a Nobel prize for the book and it's clear why. The descriptions of the natural setting and the way she described characters makes it one of the best novels I've read. It's a long book and I feel like really did watch all of Kristin's life unfold. If your library has it...more
I've seen Kristin Lavransdatter described as a book about a young woman who "defies her family and faith to follow the passions of her heart." Well, yes. But while today that might be seen as a virtue, it is decidedly not portrayed as such in Kristin Lavransdatter. This is not a feminist book. Despite how often Sigrid Undset wrote about "the immoral kind" of love, she was no proponent of the burgeoning emancipation movement. She is fairly unique among those who write about il...more
12-17-10 11:05 p.m. FINISHED! VOILA! I was late for work this morning as I had to finish the last 34 pages; and then a tanker was overturned on 99 so we had to go all the way south to Tukwila, around to I5 to get to work! I got there at 9:45, but it was all worth it! YAY!
12-17-10 - Update: On page 1087, 34 more to go. My next venture into Sigrid Undset's novels will be "Jenny"...have any of you read it?
12-10-2010 - Update: On Page 911...213 more pages. I love this b...more
12-17-10 - Update: On page 1087, 34 more to go. My next venture into Sigrid Undset's novels will be "Jenny"...have any of you read it?
12-10-2010 - Update: On Page 911...213 more pages. I love this b...more
I am reading this huge book. This is what other have said:
"We consider it the best book our judges have ever selected and it has been better received by our subscribers than any other book," says the Book-of-the-Month Club. -- Review
A landmark among historical novels, Kristin Lavransdatter is part of the body of work that won Sigrid Undset the Nobel Prize for 1928. This trilogy of more than one thousand pages follows its title character through her life in fourt...more
"We consider it the best book our judges have ever selected and it has been better received by our subscribers than any other book," says the Book-of-the-Month Club. -- Review
A landmark among historical novels, Kristin Lavransdatter is part of the body of work that won Sigrid Undset the Nobel Prize for 1928. This trilogy of more than one thousand pages follows its title character through her life in fourt...more
Its difficult to talk about the books in this series as individuals. Really, it is the story of one life. I was not expecting to be as moved as I was by these stories. These lives wrapped me up so fully that I didn't noticed that I had become so deeply attached to Kristin. And now that I am done and she is gone I feel loss.
Its difficult to write much about this story and not sound trite. Sweeping, epic, beautiful, are adjectives that all come to mind. What I can say is that at the e...more
Its difficult to write much about this story and not sound trite. Sweeping, epic, beautiful, are adjectives that all come to mind. What I can say is that at the e...more
I read the Oxford Press- Charles Archer translation of Kristin Lavransdatter in 1981. It was the best book I ever read. I would come back & re-read parts of it.
Then Tiina Nunnally did a new translation which was published by Penguin Books in 2005. I am re-reading the entire book 1144 pages. This translation is much easier to follow. The original from 1920 used a lot of English words that are not in commun use today. If anyone has had problems trying to get into this book, I'd s...more
Then Tiina Nunnally did a new translation which was published by Penguin Books in 2005. I am re-reading the entire book 1144 pages. This translation is much easier to follow. The original from 1920 used a lot of English words that are not in commun use today. If anyone has had problems trying to get into this book, I'd s...more
This is the best book I've read in a couple of years! It takes place in Norway in the 1300s; the story is compelling and the characters are extremely well developed. It follows the life of Kristin Lavransdatter from the age of 7 to her death. It does start a bit slow, but once I got into it, I didn't want it to end. It's got everything from romance and arranged marriages to sword fights and the black plague. More than that, it does an astounding job giving insight into the everyday life of thos...more
I only intended to read the first book in this trilogy, and was so "hooked" by that time that I read straight through the entire series. The character development was so rich; one would think we might be strangers to a young woman of 14th century Norway but we come to see that the headstrong Kristen faces the same choices and temptations of her modern sisters. Why is it that good girls are attracted to bad boys? It is an age old story. Kristen gets her man, against her godly Father'...more
Первая половина XIV века. Кристин – дочь зажиточного норвежского помещика Лавранса из Йорюндгорда, начинающая свою дорогу в жизни. Отец, добрый и набожный человек, решает выдать ее замуж за доброго и знатного человека. Юной Кристин не нравится нареченный жених, хотя вся семья, включая отца, мать и маленьких сестер, от Симона, сына Андреса, без ума. Когда она отправляется жить и учиться в монастырь, она встречает там мужчину гораздо старше себя, обаятельного и прекрасного собою дворянина по имени...more
I resisted reading this book for years even though it was on the "best books" lists. It seemed like a huge undertaking because it is actually three novels often published in one book. You really have to read it like one book however, because it doesn't make any sense to read just one of the novels, or to read them out of order. Now I have finally read it, I found it was well worth the time and effort. Think War and Peace, or one of the Dostoyevsky novels, only this is about Medieval No...more
I read the early translation (Charles Archer) that was full of archaisms: "methinks" and so forth. I've heard that the latest translation reads a lot differently (and better), that Undset made full use of stream of consciousness. Still, I didn't mind the style.
A great book for women - tho' I don't know at what age someone should pick it up. I can't recommend it for most high-schoolers, simply because it seems to require some life experience to really appreciate. Then ag...more
A great book for women - tho' I don't know at what age someone should pick it up. I can't recommend it for most high-schoolers, simply because it seems to require some life experience to really appreciate. Then ag...more
I was really looking forward to reading this new translation by Tiina Nunally after hearing it praised so highly compared to the first translator, who was raked over the coals in recent reviews for using artificially archaic language that the author never intended. I really enjoyed the first translation, although often found it a trial to plow through. I was surprised to be a bit disappointed in the new translation of The Wreath, the first volume in the trilogy, as lacking the texture and depth ...more
#171 The Wreath
#175 The Wife
#176 The Cross
I read Tiina Nunnally's more recent translation of this old favorite. Sigrid Undset's trilogy follows the life of a 14th-century Norwegian woman through a pampered childhood, an ill-advised yet passionate marriage, motherhood, and her final days in a convent. I love this trilogy: Kristin is a memorable main character and the historical detail is amazing. Undset mixes political intrigue, romance, everyday insight into relationships...more
#175 The Wife
#176 The Cross
I read Tiina Nunnally's more recent translation of this old favorite. Sigrid Undset's trilogy follows the life of a 14th-century Norwegian woman through a pampered childhood, an ill-advised yet passionate marriage, motherhood, and her final days in a convent. I love this trilogy: Kristin is a memorable main character and the historical detail is amazing. Undset mixes political intrigue, romance, everyday insight into relationships...more
I have heard mixed reviews of this book. I'm giving it five stars because of it's sweeping story, which covers the entire life of Kristin, and because of the skillful creation of the world of medieval Norway.
I admit there were times when I really wanted to strangle the protagonist. Her decisions and frequent indecision were maddening. What I realized, though, is that the author was showing how one woman functioned in a deeply sexist and oppressive society. The author doesn't provide a...more
I admit there were times when I really wanted to strangle the protagonist. Her decisions and frequent indecision were maddening. What I realized, though, is that the author was showing how one woman functioned in a deeply sexist and oppressive society. The author doesn't provide a...more
While it ought not to surprise me that I love this so much, considering that Undset won the Nobel primarily for this novel, I really was not hopeful at the start of my reading three weeks ago. Firstly, I am hardly the biggest fan of historical fiction and, for reasons that I cannot pinpoint, have a particular aversion to anything medieval and KL is set in medieval Norway. Secondly, Undset's style is not immediately appealing. During the first volume she (or the translator Tina Nunnally) seemed t...more
Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize in 1928 largely on the strength of her 1,100-page trilogy of Medieval Norwegian life, Kristin Lavransdatter. I recently read it for the first time on the recommendation of a friend in Communion & Liberation (CL). I have since recommended it to other friends and family. Most people don’t have the time for such a long read. Here’s my Letterman list explaining why I think you should make the time.
10. It starts out as a father-daughter story, and I am a su...more
10. It starts out as a father-daughter story, and I am a su...more
This is my favorite novel of the year. I read it about 30 years ago in the old translation and loved it, but the Tiina Nunnaly rendering is beautifully simple, without the creaking archaisms of the other, which was done in the 1930s, I think.
Reading this again reaffirmed my conviction that many modern historical novels are pap of the tenth magnitude, identifying the sympathetic characters for the drowsy reader by giving them value systems and attitudes that didn't evolve for centuries...more
Reading this again reaffirmed my conviction that many modern historical novels are pap of the tenth magnitude, identifying the sympathetic characters for the drowsy reader by giving them value systems and attitudes that didn't evolve for centuries...more
One of the greatest trilogies ever penned, a retelling of the Tristan legend in 12th century Norway with modernist techniques: scene slides, interior monologues, memory, poetic landscape, stream of consciousness, but the real mastery remains the emotional depths of the characters. The first volume presents an effective narrative, the second a great adventure, the the third volume, The Cross,a haunting masterpiece that pumbs spirituality, repentence, the vanity of pride, tragedy, and the longing ...more
While it took me the better part of 2009 to finish this novel, it is a true masterpiece and gem. One can learn so much about the human experience through this novel. Kristin Lavransdatter is the everywoman: kind, hardworking, Christian, but also human with thoughts, experiences, and sins of her own. This story is so unlike anything I have ever read before... taking place in Medieval Norway, a life I truly cannot relate to. However, Ms. Undset does such a magnificent job of recreating life, t...more
Over 1000 pages of historical fiction in three parts (The Wreath, The Wife, The Cross). Norway in 1300. The author portrays the life of a woman from childhood to death. I'd sum it up as life pure, simple and most complex.
The writing is sensual, physical, as are the characters.
At the end of the first part, Kristin's mother confession to her husband is testimony to the power of family secrets and in a way illustrates Freud and his emphasis on repetition.
The elaborations on Chr...more
The writing is sensual, physical, as are the characters.
At the end of the first part, Kristin's mother confession to her husband is testimony to the power of family secrets and in a way illustrates Freud and his emphasis on repetition.
The elaborations on Chr...more
This book set in medieval Norway follows the life of independent Kristin from early childhood on. Undset won the Pulitzer Prize as a woman in 1928 which was unusual but well deserved! Her character development and the relationships she created were incredible. The characters are flawed,real and believable. Kristin is a head-strong girl who has to live with the consequences of her actions. There are several translations of this and I read an old one from the library which was clean. I've hea...more
I enjoyed learning about the customs, lifestyle and outlooks of people of the Medieval period in Norway. They focused on dedication to family, honor and piety. I thought the attention to detail made the story human, accessible from any time period. The story also brought up interesting ideas relating to the role of gender and tradition and what happens when roles are broken. The main character, Kristin, goes against her family's wishes, which causes strife for both herself and her parents. The q...more
I loved this trilogy. Norway in the Middle Ages; I would have never thought of it. Romance, morality, politics, peasant life, childbirth, throw in a convent and a little black plague... It's really great. And real geography, too!
This is a great book for any woman to read. A dear friend and literary scholar suggested this book should be read at least 3 times, once when you are young, once when you are in the midst of raising children (or of that age), and once when you are of retirement age.
This tome follows the entire life of Kristin and her relationships with her parents, sister, husband, children, and extended family, as well as her relationship with God and the (Catholic) church. Though this book is set ...more
This tome follows the entire life of Kristin and her relationships with her parents, sister, husband, children, and extended family, as well as her relationship with God and the (Catholic) church. Though this book is set ...more
A tale of a girl growing up to be a young woman in 14th century rural Norway. It was written in the 1920s (and won the Nobel Prize), and was probably a shocker then with its frank recognition of premarital sex and rebellion against parental wishes. But it doesn't seem dated in that sense; the author is not moralizing about our heroine's acts, but rather describing the moral setting she lived in. I find that a contrast to a book such as Jude the Obscure, which seemed so dated in its expectatio...more
In her great historical epic Kristin Lavransdatter, set in fourteenth-century Norway, Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset tells the life story of one passionate and headstrong woman in the setting of fourteenth century Norway. It is the first of a three book historical epic. It is a richly detailed description of the day to day life including the social, religious and political emotions of the period. It was one the first books ever written where the female protagonist is portrayed as a whole characte...more
A book for those who don’t kid around with the word ‘epic’, Kristin Lavransdatter was actually originally published as a trilogy, though Penguin has combined all three novels into one in this beautiful 2005 Deluxe Edition. In fact, it was the quality of the edition itself that first attracted me to this novel—although Sigrid Undset may have won the 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature, her name was certainly not on my radar. But the rich, heavy paper, artfully designed cover, and pleasing weight of th...more
I don't know if I will ever quit thinking about this book. So many lessons to be learned from this book. The writing was beautiful. It was fun to read a book about Norway. I just have a lot of questions I would like to ask about some of the things I learned. I usually don't like medieval literature, but I stayed with it, all 1,000 pages. The writing was beautiful. It was an undertaking for the author, know wonder she won the Nobel prize for literature. In my younger years I had heard a...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 2012 Challenge:...: Chel recommends Kristen Lavransdatter | 3 | 9 | Dec 01, 2011 05:28pm | |
| The 1700-1939 Boo...: Winning book for July/August! | 3 | 15 | Jun 20, 2011 11:35am |
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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 prai...more
More about Sigrid Undset...
Sigrid Undset received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. Most of the prai...more
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“All my days I have longed equally to travel the right road and to take my own errant path.”
—
7 people liked it
“Feelings of longing seemed to burst from her heart; they ran in all directions, like streams of blood, seeking out paths to all the places in the wide landscape where she had lived, to all her sons roaming through the world, to all her dead lying under the earth.”
—
5 people liked it
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