Brian E’s Comments (group member since Jul 25, 2017)

Brian E’s comments from the Reading the Chunksters group.

Before I move on to Part III and forget what I wanted to say and, since I don't see a more appropriate place, here's my comments on

PART I: CHAPTERS 4-6
Lavrans and Ragnfrid - I like the analysis of this relationship in this Part, especially when Lavrans had "seen her searching for some hidden offence in the innocent words he had spoken." Lavrans didn't know what to do about it, but he knew he just had to live with the situation. After many slights over the years, this happens in many long term marriages.

Lavrans and Erlend - I also like how Lavrans is trying to appreciate Erlend more, though he does wish that "a chieftan could have taken this man in hand and put him to use..."

That will be my plan too.

I'm in but I got tired of waiting for the new topic,so I have moved ahead like Rosemary.

1. While I'm not sure why she didn't tell Erlend about the baby earlier, I thought it showed her lack of trust in Erlend. I think she's still unsure of him.
2. While maybe not regretting the marriage, she seems to regret sleeping with him and getting pregnant, especially how it hurts her father.
3. Erlend does not seem so different, its just we are now seeing him 'at work' and 'in marriage' rather than out on the dating scene. He is how I thought he would be.
4. I think Kristin wants to be a good farm wife and wants to implement the procedures she learned from her parents. She seems to have been observant in her youth.
5. Though she's wary of the step-kids at first, and has difficulty dealing with Eline's existence, Kristin seems to have adapted well and shown true fondness for young Orm. However, it will be a bigger challenge when she has her own children too.
6. I agree with Rosemary that their passionate nature results in a preference for drama. So I predict plenty of drama, but no prediction on whether the drama ends with tragedy.
7. Kristin still has good old Catholic guilt over her sin and has expectations of punishment.

I really couldn't add anything to Tracey's responses, or Dianne's comments, but I will make a few comments anyway.
- I liked that my feelings toward Ragnfrid as a character evolved from apathy, bordering on antipathy, to sympathy as we learn more about her.
- To answer a Dianne question from an earlier Part, I think Kristin is a very worthy heroine. She is complex, lively, emotional and spiritual. Rather than being bad, she is generally good yet capable of really bad judgments, such as encouraging Erlend to force Ellin to drink the poison. I look forward to an interesting trip through the last 2/3 of her life story, to see what new bad judgments she might make or whether the old ones will plague her.

I haven't yet seen Undset being as judgmental as Roman Clodia observed, though I agree with Roman on Kristen's character and the traditional bad boy attraction. I wonder if the Archer translation shows more narrative judgment.
I also don't see Kristen as manipulative as characters such as Scarlett O'Hara or Becky Sharp. She seems more naively wilful than manipulative.
Because I was aware of Undset's moral and religious views, the book is more vivid, sensual, and enjoyable, than I had expected. I presume I'll see the narrative judgment eventually.

I found it intriguing that the first priest I encounter in 1300 Norway, Eirik, has a grandchild."

The last chapter of Part I does a good job explaining how this occurs.
I'm curious what the more archaic translation sounded like. However, this Nunnally translation is supposed to be closer to Undset's language, so I'm glad to be reading it. It is smooth and simple.
While the book may not address earth shattering or serious issues, I'm enjoying the religious, social and gender role portrayals of the time. Also, I thought the almost/rape and wake scenes effectively dramatic and all that I ask for in a story.

Like Drew, I just started and, while I know the Catholic Church will play a role in the novel, I found it intriguing that the first priest I encounter in 1300 Norway, Eirik, has a grandchild.