Questions About The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1)

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As I look for a copy of this book I find 'The Wreath' and also 'The Bridal Wreath'. Are they the same or are they different translations? I gather that most people seem to prefer Nunnally to Archer? Then there's Kransen. Thanks for your help. Peter

Jonathan Rimorin I think they're different translations. I can only speak to Nunnally's translation, as that's the one I've read; but there's a NYRB essay by Brad Leit…moreI think they're different translations. I can only speak to Nunnally's translation, as that's the one I've read; but there's a NYRB essay by Brad Leithauser (also included in the Nunnally translation; paywall here: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2005/...) where he discusses Nunnally's translation (which he praises as bringing the reader "closer to the heart of the book than Archer did," and revealing Undset as "a writer of spare rigor") vs Archer (which Leithauser describes as filled with "florid constructions and whimsical quaintnesses" but admits a lingering fondness for). Nunnally, in her note on her translation, points out that Archer imposed an artificially archaic style on the text, misrepresenting Undset's prose as Victorian romanticism, filling it with stilted dialogue (using words such as 'tis, 'twas, I trow, thee, thou, hath, doth) and a convoluted syntax. Moreover, she points out that "a crucial passage from 'The Wreath' was censored, perhaps thought to be too sexually explicit from readers of the time."

In short, I don't think you can go wrong with the Nunnally translation. Mileage will vary, of course. Let me know what you think!(less)

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Would this book be considered "clean" e.g. clean language, no overly-descriptive sexual love scenes, no overly descriptive violence?

Paul Absolutely. It is very clean. Some suggestions of sexual arousings, but nothing gross or shocking.

I read it in French.…moreAbsolutely. It is very clean. Some suggestions of sexual arousings, but nothing gross or shocking.

I read it in French.(less)

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