Kristin Lavransdatter -- Buddy Read

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Amy, I read KL over three months--took my time--and also read many other books over that period too.

Reading other books while I read KL kept me from going insane over reading an 1124 page book in dead tree format.

I'm glad I read it though. It's a really good book.

If you need to stop and read different book, I encourage you to do it if this is what you feel like doing.

I just couldn't "power" straight through bec of length and the reading of hard copy rather than eBook (preferred).

I hope I have given you some encouragement.

[Amy]

Exactly! I'm not quite Dead Tree format, but Kindle is still tough with long books. That is why I am doing An American Tragedy and will be doing Hunchback of Notre Dame on audio.

[Kathleen]

I would just add that I think the first part of The Wife is a bit of a slog--it seems to reflect her situation. I'm about 100 pages into this second book and now I do keep wanting to pick it up because things keep happening!

I took about a month's break between the first and second books, and I was able to pick right up after that. Like Andrea says, you should do what you feel like doing! But whenever you return, you'll find Kristin going through some heavy stuff ... :-)

[Marilyn]

I am still in for a buddy read but I just started Lolita so it might be awhile before I start.

[Darren]

in anticipation of the upcoming June 2018 buddy read for The Wreath (aka The Garland), which I read recently and thought was superb
I read the old Archer & Scott translation which I was quite happy with
but I've just bagged an inexpensive copy on eBay of the second book The Wife in the Nunnally translation, so my intention is to read that during June and offer my opinion on both books, plus translation style comparison... :o)

[J_BlueFlower]

I will join. Depending on the first book, I plan to read all three. I don't know when I will start. I want to read some of the June-books too, so maybe soon-ish.

If there are any Danes around: Notice Ereolen has all three book as both ebook and audio.

[Marilyn]

Kristin Lavransdatter, the Nunnally translation, is still $2.99 for the Kindle edition on US Amazon.

[Amy]

I'd be interesting in joining if you do The Wife. The Wreath is great, but I'm in the middle of so many books I don't have time to reread it.

[katie]

Hi all!
It's almost June, and I just picked up my copy of The Wreath from the library, I'm ready to start reading this weekend.

This is the thread we will be using for discussion of The Wreath, check the first page of comments for some background on Sigrid Undset and this series of books. Please make sure to use spoiler tags as you add comments since we only have one thread for this book, and not a separate Spoiler thread.

I'll post some thoughts and questions to kick things off next week, looking forward to a great discussion about this book with you all!

[J_BlueFlower]

I started today.

[J_BlueFlower]

Cathedral ruins of Hamar. The cathedral's construction was begun by Bishop Arnaldur in 1150. I can see how these pillars can make an impression on a child:



I like how they covered the ruins:


“The distinctive arches of the cathedral ruins are today protected by one of the most ambitious construction projects of its kind ever undertaken by the Norwegian government.” Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedr...


I know Nidaros will come up later. That is today’s Trondheim.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Cool photos, thanks J-Blueflower

[Lotte]

Great pictures, I'm almost starting to regret I declined going to Norway together with friends this summer... but probably this read will make up for it. I'm still waiting for my interlibrary loan, but will join you in a week or so.

I'm very glad to have found out about this book through this group :).

[J_BlueFlower]

About 60% read.
Kristin seems to have a strong dislike for fat people. I wonder how timewise accurate that is? I thought slender was a more modern (1800 or 1900 and forward) ideal.

One thing I like about the book is that not predictable at all. I have no idea where we are heading. I have a guess that at some point Kristin will pilgrimage to Nidaros (medieval Trondheim ).

[J_BlueFlower]

Also the mash-up of believes. Folk/witchcraft or herb-craft and several sorts of catholicism. The monk not being allowed to take confessions. The whole thing is a strange trade.

[Leslie]

Finally!!! I started reading this a few weeks ago but then couldn't find which group I was Buddy Reading this with!!! It's so far down after the challenges.

I'm on Chapter two I think and love it.

[Chrissy]

I’m reading too - just finished the first “book” of The Wreath, and Kristin is (view spoiler)[ off on her way to the cloister. I was pretty surprised by the turn of events following her assault. (hide spoiler)]

[J_BlueFlower]

I am still reading. I have read around 80%, but suddenly ran into a large work load two weeks ago. Almost no reading in those weeks - no time and no room in my little head ;-)

I will probably finish in the next few days, and I will read the two next books, whenever it fits in between group readings.

[J_BlueFlower]

Just finished The Wreath and started book 2 The Wife right away and it seems more predictable so far - but I am sure something will happen about that.

[J_BlueFlower]

It was interesting to read it right after Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Some things have not changed the slightest bit. There are many similarities between the two stories. Hardy clearly has an overall viewpoint. Undset is more of a neutral story teller.

[Darren]

I'll be starting The Wife in a few days I think...

[Lotte]

Chrissy wrote: "I’m reading too - just finished the first “book” of The Wreath, and Kristin is [spoilers removed]"

I just finished the first book as well, and I feel the same way. Curious to see what's in store for her in the rest of the novel.

I don't know if it's just because of my old translation, but to me The Wreath feels like an old-fashioned book, like the historic novels I used to read when I was a kid.

J_BlueFlower and Darren, are you planning to read the whole trilogy?

[J_BlueFlower]

Lotte wrote: "J_BlueFlower and Darren, are you planning to read the whole trilogy? "

Yes.

[Darren]

I'm just reading The Wife this month
I read the first book in the old Archer & Scott translation, but I have The Wife in the Nunnally translation, so it'll be interesting to compare

[Susie]

Sorry I missed this posting...The Wreath bas been on my tbr shelf for awhile, but I'm in the middle of several others right now...maybe next time!

[J_BlueFlower]

More than half way through The Wife. Seems like the story is slowly changing into something else. I will read all three books for sure.

[J_BlueFlower]

I expected Kristin Lavransdatter so be about the life of people in Norway locally. The first book was, but the story seems to be heading more internationally in book 2.

It seems that the year is somewhere in the beginning of 1300, but before 1322. Unfortunately we probably not going to make it into Margrete 1st time. She was born 1353, and was possibly the most powerful women in Scandinavia - ever - as ruler of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

[J_BlueFlower]

How many are following this buddy read? (Am I just talking to myself?)

[Leslie]

I'm reading it, but have many others as well. I love The Wreath. It makes me wish I could go see this place.

[Darren]

I just started The Wife!
finished chapter 1, already enjoying :oD

[Chrissy]

I’m reading! Just slowly. I just got to Chapter 2 of part III of The Wreath. Hopefully I can finish the first book this month. I’m enjoying it!

[J_BlueFlower]

I like the The Wife even better than The Wreath. I am somewhere around 70-75% in to it. I will start book 3 right away.

[Lotte]

I finished The Wreath and liked it okay: the pace, plot twists and descriptions of nature made it a good read, but I did not quite like the writing style and the romantic scenes.

I have to admit that I was triggered by the cliffhanger at The Wreath to read the two other books, but I want to read a lot of other books first.

Do you think Kristin's adventures are very exceptional for her time? I agree it's unusual, but people do not seem to think of it as too shocking. Wondering about the freedom of people - especially women - in 14th-century Norway.

[J_BlueFlower]

You should keep reading. It only gets better: Now that the people have been introduced, book 2 has more plot.

I meant to take a break to read Godot, but he will have to Wait ;-)

One thing I like is the always ongoing “negotiation” between church and everyday life. How for example it is perfectly natural for Erlend to reflect that he has sinned, but he rather wait with the confession till he has sinned some more.

I am at around 85% in book 2 and here follows a medium size spoiler warning:

(view spoiler)[I really wonder what Simon’s roll is in the plot. The Danish translation is as ambiguous as it is possible. No doubt that Simon is a long and deep thinking person. But is he also long-time plotting? At some point there was a remark about he would wait for Kristin to become a widow. At that point I read it as he was ready to wait and hope. But could it be that he was the master mind behind the plot and thinking either it works and fine, or it doesn’t and there is a large chance that Erlend will pay and maybe even die, and that would be fine too. So win-win. Could that really be Simon? All the suddenly I am not so sure how well I know him. Polite, fat, jovial, child-liking.... and sinister? (hide spoiler)]

[J_BlueFlower]

Finished The Wife and started The Cross right away.

[Lotte]

It's very tempting, J_BlueFlower, but I'm so far behind on my Old and New Challenge that I'd really like to get along with those books. But enjoy The Cross! Seems like a good experience :)

[J_BlueFlower]

No need to answer my question in post 144. The answer is in the book. ;-)

I am at 20% into book 3 (The Cross). It is very good. Possibly the best of the three.

[J_BlueFlower]

Cathedral of Nidaros today. A small Notre Dame.

[J_BlueFlower]

On naming of sons. Medium size spoiler for about 70% into book 3:
(view spoiler)[Wow! This is so well-written. First the naming of Lavrans to explain the “rules” then the naming of Simon Simonson to remind the reader, and then Erland Erlandson. Nothing much is said about it, but that action speak volumes. Kristin is annoyed (pissed off is probably more correct) and at the same time it shows how detached she has become from the local people. (hide spoiler)]

[J_BlueFlower]

Almost finished. If you read book 1, you really should read 2 and 3. Book 1 only introduced the persons and their background story.

Book 2 was better than book 1 - it had more development, and book 3 is as good if not better than book 2.

I am around 95% finished, and I am a bit ashamed that I did not see the end coming, but it came as a surprise. I was expecting something else. I have had so many false expectations, and that is really one thing I like very much: The story is unpredictable without being unlogical or unreasonable. It perfectly balancesd the edge between unpredictable and still satisfying. Do you feel the same?

Earlier I said that the writing style was non-judging. It is almost. But I think the writer’s dislike of some of the persons shows. She does not like Margret. Very tiny spoiler here: (view spoiler)[The way Margret is described later in book 3 as extraordinary fat and those with extra room for more silver plates on her belt. It is a neutral observation - but it does not feel friendly at all. (hide spoiler)]

[Nente]

I'm just starting on this one, skimmed the thread cautiously, not to get any spoilers before time.

[Darren]

I am well on with book 2 (The Wife aka The Mistress of Husaby) and am gobsmacked by the continuously high standard
I read book 1 in the old translation and book 2 is in the new - both are fine by me!
I know she won the Nobel Prize, but I'm amazed this isn't even more widely known/appreciated than it is...

[Darren]

finished book 2 last night - superb, another 5-star jobby, with a dramatic/moving ending to boot!
but amazing coincidence also received book 3 "The Cross" in the post yesterday!
having said that, think I will give myself a couple of weeks off before continuing...

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

This may be covered in this thread, but kristan gets around in those first few chapters doesn’t she?