Status
Available
Publication
New York : Vintage Books, 1987.
Description
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 the world's great literary figures. Volume 1, The Bridal Wreath, describes young Kristin's stormy romance with the dashing Erlend Nikulausson, a young man perhaps overly fond of women, of whom her father strongly disapproves.
User reviews
LibraryThing member justabookreader
Set in 14th Century Norway, Kristin Lavransdatter is a medieval love story. Kristin is the daughter of Lavrans and Ragnfrid and is well-loved and a bit spoiled by her father. For years, the family lives a quiet life in their small village going about their daily routines. When Ulvhild, the much
In time, a third daughter is born to the couple, Ramborg, and Kristin begins preparing for her marriage to Simon Andressön. Kristin doesn't show much interest in marriage but knows her father found her a good match even if Simon is someone she is not interested in, physically, emotionally, or intellectually. Her father and Simon agree that Kristin needs to experience the world at large, and she is put into a convent the year before her marriage. While there, Kristin falls in love with Erlend Nikulaussön, a man of her family's caliber but not one in good standing with the community. Shortly before her marriage to Simon is to take place, she musters the courage to break off the engagement only to be told by her father that he will not allow her to marry Erlend. Years pass before the two are able to marry but somehow it doesn't feel happy.
The entire time I was reading I kept wondering if it was the translation. It felt awkward and clunky and I had to go back a few times to reacquaint myself with some people and places. It was also very slow moving. Years pass where nothing much happens but somehow I keep reading. It wasn't the characters that held my interest though --- it was the setting. I haven't read many books set in Norway and I found the lifestyles and small details of life intriguing. The days leading up to the wedding and the preparations were very interesting.
I didn't really care for Kristin. She seemed vapid to me, caring only about one thing --- Erlend. She almost ruined her family by calling off her marriage, and yet, when she got what she wanted, she didn't seem to be able to appreciate it. She spends her days before the wedding moping around and pining for something else as is she doesn't really understand what marriage is about. She has very romanticized notions of life and when reality sets in, she panics and feels sorry for herself. I actually wanted to feel sorry for her but couldn't. Her mother was much the same way and in the end I came to dislike both of them. I also didn't like the way her life was decided for her but it was the 14th Century and, at that time, women didn't make decisions about their own lives. This is something I find I need to remind myself of when reading historical fiction.
My library has all three books but I don't know yet if I will continue reading the story. It felt too much like a history lesson for me to drop into the next one. Character wise, I didn't find it a fulfilling read either. Maybe next year.
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beloved second daughter of Lavrans and Ragnfrid is injured, their life is turned upside down and many years pass before the family begins to recover.In time, a third daughter is born to the couple, Ramborg, and Kristin begins preparing for her marriage to Simon Andressön. Kristin doesn't show much interest in marriage but knows her father found her a good match even if Simon is someone she is not interested in, physically, emotionally, or intellectually. Her father and Simon agree that Kristin needs to experience the world at large, and she is put into a convent the year before her marriage. While there, Kristin falls in love with Erlend Nikulaussön, a man of her family's caliber but not one in good standing with the community. Shortly before her marriage to Simon is to take place, she musters the courage to break off the engagement only to be told by her father that he will not allow her to marry Erlend. Years pass before the two are able to marry but somehow it doesn't feel happy.
The entire time I was reading I kept wondering if it was the translation. It felt awkward and clunky and I had to go back a few times to reacquaint myself with some people and places. It was also very slow moving. Years pass where nothing much happens but somehow I keep reading. It wasn't the characters that held my interest though --- it was the setting. I haven't read many books set in Norway and I found the lifestyles and small details of life intriguing. The days leading up to the wedding and the preparations were very interesting.
I didn't really care for Kristin. She seemed vapid to me, caring only about one thing --- Erlend. She almost ruined her family by calling off her marriage, and yet, when she got what she wanted, she didn't seem to be able to appreciate it. She spends her days before the wedding moping around and pining for something else as is she doesn't really understand what marriage is about. She has very romanticized notions of life and when reality sets in, she panics and feels sorry for herself. I actually wanted to feel sorry for her but couldn't. Her mother was much the same way and in the end I came to dislike both of them. I also didn't like the way her life was decided for her but it was the 14th Century and, at that time, women didn't make decisions about their own lives. This is something I find I need to remind myself of when reading historical fiction.
My library has all three books but I don't know yet if I will continue reading the story. It felt too much like a history lesson for me to drop into the next one. Character wise, I didn't find it a fulfilling read either. Maybe next year.
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LibraryThing member ctpress
Norwegian author Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize in 1928, mainly because of her 1000+ pages long trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter - a rich and complex tale set in medieval 14th century Norway.
The first novel The Wreath follow Kristin as a child and in her youth where the difficult matchmaking takes
She loves her father above anything, loves nature and are fascinated by the traditions and rituals of the church and the feeling of closeness with God in prayer. But her formative years also reveals a proud, stubborn and strong character - and it will lead her away from the intimate and warm relationship she have with her father - and in conflict with the doctrines and morals of the church and the local community.
The Wreath is so grounded in place and time. Undset has an ability to make such believable characters, we understand the parents and their dilemma, we pity Kristin being caught between conflicting desires - and all the deception and lies that suddenly come between them is unbearable.
The first novel The Wreath follow Kristin as a child and in her youth where the difficult matchmaking takes
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place clearly before she's ready for this step - and at the same time she meets a man with a questionable past. She loves her father above anything, loves nature and are fascinated by the traditions and rituals of the church and the feeling of closeness with God in prayer. But her formative years also reveals a proud, stubborn and strong character - and it will lead her away from the intimate and warm relationship she have with her father - and in conflict with the doctrines and morals of the church and the local community.
The Wreath is so grounded in place and time. Undset has an ability to make such believable characters, we understand the parents and their dilemma, we pity Kristin being caught between conflicting desires - and all the deception and lies that suddenly come between them is unbearable.
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LibraryThing member Kasthu
The Wreath is the first book in a trilogy focusing on the life of Kristin Lavransdatter, a fictional woman living in early 14th century Norway. The trilogy covers her life from early childhood until death; and in one volume, is about 1000 pages (I’m reading the trilogy in the individual volumes
The three volumes of Kristin Lavransdatter (The Wreath, The Wife, and The Cross) were originally published in the early 1920s. Apparently, Sigrid Undset’s writing was largely informed by her Catholic religious beliefs, and I do believe that this is very much in evidence in The Wreath—starting with Kristin’s trip to the church at Hamar and the author’s descriptions of the church, the influence of religion is very strong in our heroine’s life. And yet, this is not a particularly religious book. Sigrid Undset merely emphasizes the importance of Kristin’s faith, in a time when the church more or less informed and defined people’s lives.
The characters in the novel are particularly strong and well-depicted. Kristin, normally a quiet and obedient girl, is nonetheless courageous enough to defy the wishes of her parents, and the bonds of her engagement to Simon, to fall in love with a man that the other characters in the novel, and the reader, really have no cause to trust. As Erlend declares his undying love for Kristin, I kept wondering, how serious his he? Even after finishing the first volume of this trilogy, I still don’t know what’s going on with him. Only time, and further reading, will tell.
As for the translation, I read Tina Nunnally’s version; I’ve heard that Archer’s is a bit archaic. I recently read an interview with Nunnally, in which she discusses Archer’s nearly leaving out the sex scenes in the book—they’re actually rather tame and muted in comparison with what you find in novels published today. I obviously don’t know Norwegian, and can't compare this translation to the original book, but I’ve found Nunnally’s version to be extremely readable.
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published by Penguin classics, so that all of this doesn’t become too overwhelming). The Wreath covers Kristin’s childhood and teenage years, as she falls in love, and has an illicit relationship, with Erlend Nikulausson, an older man with a shadowy past.The three volumes of Kristin Lavransdatter (The Wreath, The Wife, and The Cross) were originally published in the early 1920s. Apparently, Sigrid Undset’s writing was largely informed by her Catholic religious beliefs, and I do believe that this is very much in evidence in The Wreath—starting with Kristin’s trip to the church at Hamar and the author’s descriptions of the church, the influence of religion is very strong in our heroine’s life. And yet, this is not a particularly religious book. Sigrid Undset merely emphasizes the importance of Kristin’s faith, in a time when the church more or less informed and defined people’s lives.
The characters in the novel are particularly strong and well-depicted. Kristin, normally a quiet and obedient girl, is nonetheless courageous enough to defy the wishes of her parents, and the bonds of her engagement to Simon, to fall in love with a man that the other characters in the novel, and the reader, really have no cause to trust. As Erlend declares his undying love for Kristin, I kept wondering, how serious his he? Even after finishing the first volume of this trilogy, I still don’t know what’s going on with him. Only time, and further reading, will tell.
As for the translation, I read Tina Nunnally’s version; I’ve heard that Archer’s is a bit archaic. I recently read an interview with Nunnally, in which she discusses Archer’s nearly leaving out the sex scenes in the book—they’re actually rather tame and muted in comparison with what you find in novels published today. I obviously don’t know Norwegian, and can't compare this translation to the original book, but I’ve found Nunnally’s version to be extremely readable.
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LibraryThing member MissTrudy
“Kristin Lavransdatter” by Nobel Laureate Sigrid Undset (1882-1949)
Set in 14th Century Norway, the trilogy, which narrates the story of Kristin Lavransdatter, is comprised of “The Bridal Wreath,” “The Mistress of Husaby,” and “The Cross,” sequencing the most important milestones of
Kristin Lavransdatter, a noblewoman born in a country estate, enjoys a close relationship with a father she admires and in whose steps she hopes to follow. That is, until she falls in love with the notorious nobleman Erlend Nikulausson, who is haunted by a tainted past. Headstrong Kristin faces the wrath of her father, and breaks her engagement with the kindly Simon Andresson in order to marry Erlend. Simon, whose unrequited love for Kristin will drive him to eventually marry her sister, dies in Kristin’s arms decades later.
Though marriage to passionate and unreliable Erlend often proves bitterly disappointing, Kristin will hold on loyally to him as she lives through the joys and tragedies of the births of her children and deaths of loved ones, all in an era of war, civil unrest and plague. Darkness is often dispelled by laughter, familial love, and finally, redemption through religious grace.
At some points a somewhat slow read, the well-researched novel opens a window into the Norwegian Middle Ages, proving a valuable source of information on the history and geo-politics of this beautiful country, as well as the more intimate details of medieval manor life. It also dispels the myth that women in the Middle-Ages were meek non-entities. Kristin Lavransdatter, exercising the limited independence allowed her within the strictures of her time and place, realistically takes charge of her extended household, farm holdings and eventually, of a nunnery towards the end of her life.
Set in 14th Century Norway, the trilogy, which narrates the story of Kristin Lavransdatter, is comprised of “The Bridal Wreath,” “The Mistress of Husaby,” and “The Cross,” sequencing the most important milestones of
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her life. Kristin Lavransdatter, a noblewoman born in a country estate, enjoys a close relationship with a father she admires and in whose steps she hopes to follow. That is, until she falls in love with the notorious nobleman Erlend Nikulausson, who is haunted by a tainted past. Headstrong Kristin faces the wrath of her father, and breaks her engagement with the kindly Simon Andresson in order to marry Erlend. Simon, whose unrequited love for Kristin will drive him to eventually marry her sister, dies in Kristin’s arms decades later.
Though marriage to passionate and unreliable Erlend often proves bitterly disappointing, Kristin will hold on loyally to him as she lives through the joys and tragedies of the births of her children and deaths of loved ones, all in an era of war, civil unrest and plague. Darkness is often dispelled by laughter, familial love, and finally, redemption through religious grace.
At some points a somewhat slow read, the well-researched novel opens a window into the Norwegian Middle Ages, proving a valuable source of information on the history and geo-politics of this beautiful country, as well as the more intimate details of medieval manor life. It also dispels the myth that women in the Middle-Ages were meek non-entities. Kristin Lavransdatter, exercising the limited independence allowed her within the strictures of her time and place, realistically takes charge of her extended household, farm holdings and eventually, of a nunnery towards the end of her life.
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LibraryThing member lauralkeet
Kristin Lavransdatter is a 3-volume Norwegian epic set in the 14th century. The eponymous heroine is born to an influential and prosperous farmer, Lavrans, and his wife Ragnfrid. She is their seventh, but first surviving, child, and understandably the apple of Lavrans’ eye. The first volume, The
Well, we’ve seen this storyline before, haven’t we? What sets Kristin Lavransdatter apart, and enhances the traditional plot, are the medieval setting, Norwegian customs and rituals, and a very strong female protagonist. Kristin takes control of her future and refuses to be pigeonholed into traditional roles. I’m looking forward to reading the next two volumes of this work.
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Wreath, chronicles Kristin’s life from early childhood to marriage. Her protected childhood is shattered by a traumatic incident and she is sent to a convent for a one-year period of emotional recovery. When she enters the convent, Kristin is already betrothed to Simon, a perfectly acceptable but ordinary man. But this arranged marriage is threatened when she meets the passionate but rakish Erlend. Well, we’ve seen this storyline before, haven’t we? What sets Kristin Lavransdatter apart, and enhances the traditional plot, are the medieval setting, Norwegian customs and rituals, and a very strong female protagonist. Kristin takes control of her future and refuses to be pigeonholed into traditional roles. I’m looking forward to reading the next two volumes of this work.
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LibraryThing member harryo19
I'm glad to see that there's another translation of this book. The tortured syntax of this version can make you think that this was written by Yoda. Years ago, before I had forgotten my Norwegian, I read this in the original. It was a tough go with many, necessarily, archaic words that weren't in
At this point in the story, it's good but I'm not sure it's Nobel prize material. It seems historically accurate and does well reflect the Norwegian character with it's angst, concern with personal responsibility and love of the natural world. I never got through volume 3 when I was reading it in Norwegian, so I'll have get through the next 2 books. One does have to know how the story ends. No spoilers please, but I bet she dies.
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my Norwegian/English dictionary. But I remember it as being well written. The trouble with this translation, and the translator isn't even listed on the title page, is that it seems to be straight word for word. "Tenke du ikke", perfectly normal expression in Norwegian becomes "Think you not" no ways normal in English, even if you're going for a Medieval feel. It really becomes a problem in some of the longer passages where you have to stop and untangle the sentences to figure what the character is saying. Hopefully someone gave the anonymous translator some notes before heading into the next volumes.At this point in the story, it's good but I'm not sure it's Nobel prize material. It seems historically accurate and does well reflect the Norwegian character with it's angst, concern with personal responsibility and love of the natural world. I never got through volume 3 when I was reading it in Norwegian, so I'll have get through the next 2 books. One does have to know how the story ends. No spoilers please, but I bet she dies.
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LibraryThing member thorold
It's obvious from the start that Undset was a very competent historical novelist in the Walter Scott tradition, thoroughly familiar with the primary sources for the period she was writing about, and able to put herself very convincingly into the heads of medieval Norwegians and show us what the
The Nunnally translation is definitely a lot better than the couple of chapters I read in the Archer/Scott translation. It comes across as very low-key and unobtrusive, with simple, direct syntax. Archaic words seem to be confined to the places where they are essential to convey a precise meaning (the only one I found intrusively quaint was "maiden", but given the plot it might have been hard to find a less dated alternative there). Nunnally's minimal and unpedantic notes and her introduction with a short biographical sketch of the author are also quite helpful.
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world might have looked like through their eyes. There's little intrusive scene-setting and explanation — sometimes almost too little — the narrator never steps outside the frame to relate her story to modern times. But it's hard to see in the early chapters where the added value is going to be: it could almost be the chapter on "medieval farming" from an early 20th century schoolbook. Even when Kristin gets into her teens, it looks for a long time as though this is just going to be another nice girl/bad boy romance. You have to get a long way into the book before it becomes clear that Undset must have read some Ibsen as well as all those medieval texts in her youth, and that she has set up rather a sophisticated and modern psychological study of the main characters. Very subtle and clever, even if it does turn out that she's just as much of a crusty old Tory underneath as Sir Walter was...The Nunnally translation is definitely a lot better than the couple of chapters I read in the Archer/Scott translation. It comes across as very low-key and unobtrusive, with simple, direct syntax. Archaic words seem to be confined to the places where they are essential to convey a precise meaning (the only one I found intrusively quaint was "maiden", but given the plot it might have been hard to find a less dated alternative there). Nunnally's minimal and unpedantic notes and her introduction with a short biographical sketch of the author are also quite helpful.
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LibraryThing member rayette
I'd never heard of Undset until a friend recommended the Kristin Lavrandatter series. And I never would have thought I could be so captivated by a three-volume series set in 14th-century Norway. But it's fascinating--so rich and so alive. But stick with the Nunally translation. The older one is
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pretty deadly. Show Less
LibraryThing member k8_not_kate
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started it, but the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy is one I enjoyed deeply, continue to think about, and will probably revisit. The story of Kristin's life, set in 14th century Norway, is sweeping and at times thrilling, while also offering (very well researched)
This first novel in the series, The Wreath, is probably the easiest to get into. We meet Kristin as a very young girl, happily living on her wealthy parents' estate. Kristin runs into trouble as she approaches marriageable age and ends up being sent to an abbey in Oslo. It is there that she meets and falls in love with Erlend Nikulaussøn, a handsome but headstrong man. The rest of the novel deals with their struggle to be allowed to marry. Kristin's determination to choose her own path is at odds with her earnest desire to do right by her family.
Many reviews to be found online of the Kristin Lavransdatter novels describe them as Catholic literature or specifically recommend them as fiction that jives with Christian teachings. That may be true, but as a non-religious reader I wanted to say here that you don't have to be religious to find things to love about Undset's opus. I found the novels to be subtle and more generally spiritual then specifically Catholic. Sure, Kristin's struggles with her faith are sometimes specific to (14th century) Catholicism, but I think they also have a lot to do with deciding how much her family and community and their expectations should play into her decisions. I would recommend these novels to anyone, not just those looking for religious enlightenment.
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glimpses of what day-to-day life in medieval Norway might have been like. Although it is set in a time and place that may seem far removed from modern life, Undset's novels present extremely relatable characters and provide insights on life and particularly motherhood that ring so true as to be startling.This first novel in the series, The Wreath, is probably the easiest to get into. We meet Kristin as a very young girl, happily living on her wealthy parents' estate. Kristin runs into trouble as she approaches marriageable age and ends up being sent to an abbey in Oslo. It is there that she meets and falls in love with Erlend Nikulaussøn, a handsome but headstrong man. The rest of the novel deals with their struggle to be allowed to marry. Kristin's determination to choose her own path is at odds with her earnest desire to do right by her family.
Many reviews to be found online of the Kristin Lavransdatter novels describe them as Catholic literature or specifically recommend them as fiction that jives with Christian teachings. That may be true, but as a non-religious reader I wanted to say here that you don't have to be religious to find things to love about Undset's opus. I found the novels to be subtle and more generally spiritual then specifically Catholic. Sure, Kristin's struggles with her faith are sometimes specific to (14th century) Catholicism, but I think they also have a lot to do with deciding how much her family and community and their expectations should play into her decisions. I would recommend these novels to anyone, not just those looking for religious enlightenment.
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
This is the first third of the Kristin Lavransdatter saga, which earned Undset a Nobel prize. Kristin is the older daughter of Lavrans, a well respected landowner in medieval Norway. Her childhood and coming-of-age are interwoven with the religious, social and every-day history of her time. Undset
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clearly knows each of her characters intimately—there’s a sense of reality to even the background characters. I’ve always thought the religious prohibition against premarital sex is ridiculous, but nevertheless Undset made me deeply feel the angst and torment of Kristin and her family in regards to that subject. It's an excellent novel, but I’ve been advised not to read the subsequent parts, as apparently it gets even darker. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
The beginning of a trilogy set in medieval Norway, The Wreath chronicles the early life of Kristin Lavransdatter and her determination to marry the man of her choice. Sigrid Undset clearly knew the period well, as her narrative displays knowledge of daily life, medieval culture, and religion. As in
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the best of historical fiction, the main character of Kristin emerges as both a figure of her own period and a more modern one as well. A sympathetic character, I look forward to seeing how Kristin develops throughout the rest of this trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
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
For me the key measure of a work of historical fiction is how well does it inhabit its age. Its characters should be more than contemporary people in period dress-up, and very few historical works I've ever read puts you into the mindset and immerses you into the surroundings of another age better than the The Wreath. It follows Kristin's perspective closely, and I can't imagine plucking her from her setting into a time centuries removed. Yet though she inhabits what is for us an alien world where the Catholic faith was central, she feels very relatable and real. Which is not to say I didn't want to throttle her at times. It's amazing to me because from a modern view I suppose I should feel more sympathetic to how she acts in the name of love, but Undset makes you fully feel how foolish and hurtful is Kristin's behavior so much of the time; this is a willful young woman very much ruled by her passions. For a book published in 1920 it's surprisingly sensual and frankly sexual without ever being crude.
I often cared more for the secondary characters to be honest. Especially Kristin's parents and such characters as her childhood friend Arne and Brother Edvin. I loved Aashild--a noblewoman wrapped in scandal and rumored to be a witch. I loved Simon Darre too, less flashy a character than Kristin's love Erlend, but to me much more endearing. (Truth to tell, I despised Erlend. Which rather keeps this from being a romance--strictly speaking it could be said to fall into that category in plot--but not in spirit. You feel like you're watching a trainwreck.) In fact, I think if anything deprives this of its fifth star it is that I cared much more about those secondary characters than Kristin--who in comparison seems rather shallow. But she's very young in The Wreath, and that might change in the next two books of the trilogy dealing with the mature woman.
This read extraordinarily fast--I read its 300 pages in one sitting. It started out rather slow--it was hard to get used to those Norwegian names at first, but I became more engrossed as I read and in the end it read almost too fast, with no brakes in the smooth prose to force me to savor the narrative. A page-turner in other worlds, that you perhaps speed through too quickly the first time to fully appreciate. I can tell you though that after reading The Wreath I'll certainly be continuing on someday to The Wife and The Cross. I read the Nunally translation which is very readable--I've heard the same can't be said for other translations so be aware of the issue in choosing an edition.
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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 measure of a work of historical fiction is how well does it inhabit its age. Its characters should be more than contemporary people in period dress-up, and very few historical works I've ever read puts you into the mindset and immerses you into the surroundings of another age better than the The Wreath. It follows Kristin's perspective closely, and I can't imagine plucking her from her setting into a time centuries removed. Yet though she inhabits what is for us an alien world where the Catholic faith was central, she feels very relatable and real. Which is not to say I didn't want to throttle her at times. It's amazing to me because from a modern view I suppose I should feel more sympathetic to how she acts in the name of love, but Undset makes you fully feel how foolish and hurtful is Kristin's behavior so much of the time; this is a willful young woman very much ruled by her passions. For a book published in 1920 it's surprisingly sensual and frankly sexual without ever being crude.
I often cared more for the secondary characters to be honest. Especially Kristin's parents and such characters as her childhood friend Arne and Brother Edvin. I loved Aashild--a noblewoman wrapped in scandal and rumored to be a witch. I loved Simon Darre too, less flashy a character than Kristin's love Erlend, but to me much more endearing. (Truth to tell, I despised Erlend. Which rather keeps this from being a romance--strictly speaking it could be said to fall into that category in plot--but not in spirit. You feel like you're watching a trainwreck.) In fact, I think if anything deprives this of its fifth star it is that I cared much more about those secondary characters than Kristin--who in comparison seems rather shallow. But she's very young in The Wreath, and that might change in the next two books of the trilogy dealing with the mature woman.
This read extraordinarily fast--I read its 300 pages in one sitting. It started out rather slow--it was hard to get used to those Norwegian names at first, but I became more engrossed as I read and in the end it read almost too fast, with no brakes in the smooth prose to force me to savor the narrative. A page-turner in other worlds, that you perhaps speed through too quickly the first time to fully appreciate. I can tell you though that after reading The Wreath I'll certainly be continuing on someday to The Wife and The Cross. I read the Nunally translation which is very readable--I've heard the same can't be said for other translations so be aware of the issue in choosing an edition.
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LibraryThing member xuebi
The Wreath is the first volume in the Noble Prize laureate Sigrid Undset's epic Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy and the first volume alone is proof of why she won in 1928.
The first volume tells the story of Kristin Lavransdatter, beginning with her childhood and through to her romance with Erlend
Set in mediaeval Norway, Undset re-creates in great detail the daily life of the period, fully immersing the reader in the political, social, and religious customs of the time. Both the central character of Kristin and the others who inhabit this world are excellently realised and through Undset's prose all become relatable and real.
This is an excellent example of historical fiction and reflects Undset's deep knowledge of mediaeval Norway and the Roman Catholic faith so central to both the characters' lives and eventually Undset's own (after her conversion in 1924 - though she was certainly influenced by it even beforehand).
The translation by Tiina Nunnally is very readable and helps bring Undset's prose to life - a vast improvement on the stilted and archaic translations by Charles Archer. In her translation, Nunnally is able to fully capture this world that is so different to ours and yet often so similar.
The first volume tells the story of Kristin Lavransdatter, beginning with her childhood and through to her romance with Erlend
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Nikulaussøn, an impetuous and charming man. This first novel is a coming-of-age for the heroine; Undset though is able to not only make us sympathise with Kristin but also show us how foolhardy she is in breaking her betrothal so rashly. Set in mediaeval Norway, Undset re-creates in great detail the daily life of the period, fully immersing the reader in the political, social, and religious customs of the time. Both the central character of Kristin and the others who inhabit this world are excellently realised and through Undset's prose all become relatable and real.
This is an excellent example of historical fiction and reflects Undset's deep knowledge of mediaeval Norway and the Roman Catholic faith so central to both the characters' lives and eventually Undset's own (after her conversion in 1924 - though she was certainly influenced by it even beforehand).
The translation by Tiina Nunnally is very readable and helps bring Undset's prose to life - a vast improvement on the stilted and archaic translations by Charles Archer. In her translation, Nunnally is able to fully capture this world that is so different to ours and yet often so similar.
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LibraryThing member pennsylady
reading notes
Kristin Lavransdatter: Book 1 (1920-1922)
The Wreath
by Sigrid Undset
The daily aspects of family life in Norway during the 14th century are captured in Undset's trilogy.
Social, political and religious elements are interwoven into daily life with "Norse sagas, folklore and Old Norse
Book one chronicles Kristen as daughter.
304 pg
softcover
(includes suggestions for further reading and explanatory notes)
5* favorite
"Natural dialog...lyrical flow"
Tiina Nunnally translates memorable characters with ease and fluidity.
Looking forward to continuing the trilogy.
Kristin Lavransdatter: Book 1 (1920-1922)
The Wreath
by Sigrid Undset
The daily aspects of family life in Norway during the 14th century are captured in Undset's trilogy.
Social, political and religious elements are interwoven into daily life with "Norse sagas, folklore and Old Norse
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legends" throughout.Book one chronicles Kristen as daughter.
304 pg
softcover
(includes suggestions for further reading and explanatory notes)
5* favorite
"Natural dialog...lyrical flow"
Tiina Nunnally translates memorable characters with ease and fluidity.
Looking forward to continuing the trilogy.
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LibraryThing member wishanem
I enjoyed the author's depiction of Medeival life, which was very well-researched and focused on a region I wasn't very informed about. I was frustrated by the romance that is the central drama of the story. It reminded me of Jane Eyre, but Kristen Lavransdatter isn't as tough or resilient a
Novel words I read in this book:
palatinate - A territory administered on behalf of a king or emperor by a count.
lendermand - a non-hereditary title granted by a king, with holdings, in exchange for fixed services (and sometimes additional services during wartime). Sometimes the title-holder would be responsible for law enforcement, maintaining roads/bridges (including preventing brigandage), or keeping a forest poacher-free.
sponson - a projection on the side of a boat, ship, or seaplane.
bajabers - bejesus
saeter - a Scandanavian mountain
beck - brook
pillion - side seat or passenger seat
chid - chided
wadmal - coarse, dense, usually undyed wool fabric
bilberries - a small dark blue edible berry, common in Northern Europe
stoup - basin, bowl, or chalice
latchet - a narrow thong or lace for fastening a shoe or sandal.
shrift - confession to a priest
shaw - a thick patch of plants
spital - A charitable house to receive and care for sick people, later distinguished from a hospital as being especially for those of a low class or meagre financial means.
guerdon - reward
lath - a flat piece of wood
trow - believe or think
purblind - partly blind
tarn - lake
wot - (1st & 3rd singular present form of "wit"), meaning to know, to learn, or to realize
shoon - shoes
pard - A mythological beast that when mated with a lion produced leopards.
byre - cowshed
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character as Jane, and Kristen's object of affection doesn't have as many good qualities as Jane's did. I felt like the match Kristen wanted would inevitably lead to complete misery. In this story the final note isn't tragic, but the potential is there.Novel words I read in this book:
palatinate - A territory administered on behalf of a king or emperor by a count.
lendermand - a non-hereditary title granted by a king, with holdings, in exchange for fixed services (and sometimes additional services during wartime). Sometimes the title-holder would be responsible for law enforcement, maintaining roads/bridges (including preventing brigandage), or keeping a forest poacher-free.
sponson - a projection on the side of a boat, ship, or seaplane.
bajabers - bejesus
saeter - a Scandanavian mountain
beck - brook
pillion - side seat or passenger seat
chid - chided
wadmal - coarse, dense, usually undyed wool fabric
bilberries - a small dark blue edible berry, common in Northern Europe
stoup - basin, bowl, or chalice
latchet - a narrow thong or lace for fastening a shoe or sandal.
shrift - confession to a priest
shaw - a thick patch of plants
spital - A charitable house to receive and care for sick people, later distinguished from a hospital as being especially for those of a low class or meagre financial means.
guerdon - reward
lath - a flat piece of wood
trow - believe or think
purblind - partly blind
tarn - lake
wot - (1st & 3rd singular present form of "wit"), meaning to know, to learn, or to realize
shoon - shoes
pard - A mythological beast that when mated with a lion produced leopards.
byre - cowshed
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LibraryThing member Karin7
??1/2 rounded up to ???
Kristin Lavransdatter is a fourteenth century Norwegian girl, around whom the story centres, although there are scenes without her. We see her from seven through seventeen here. She is the pretty, well- loved daughter of Lavrans Bjørgulfson and Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter. At the
I found it difficult going for much of the book, but began to like it better in the third section, so it moved from a two to two and half stars. I’m hoping that I’ll like the next one, The Wife, better. I found it difficult to care much for Kristin at first, and had wanted to like her very much. Throughout the book the prevailing beliefs of the middle ages including Roman Catholicism, pervade everything, and I suspect that the religious beliefs of Kristin will become a much stronger focal point as the trilogy progresses, although I’ll have to wait to find out.
If you like family sagas and if you like Undset’s style of writing, I think you’ll enjoy this more than I did.
Kristin Lavransdatter is a fourteenth century Norwegian girl, around whom the story centres, although there are scenes without her. We see her from seven through seventeen here. She is the pretty, well- loved daughter of Lavrans Bjørgulfson and Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter. At the
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beginning of the story she is the only one of their surviving children, but later two more girls are born. When she is fifteen she is betrothed by her father to a man of a good family, but since she has never left their valley, she goes to spend a year in a convent. There her roommate is the talkative and adventurous Ingabjørg, also betrothed who leads Kristin astray and on the path to meet Erland, a man she falls deeply and passionately in love with all the ardor of first teenage love, despite being betrothed.I found it difficult going for much of the book, but began to like it better in the third section, so it moved from a two to two and half stars. I’m hoping that I’ll like the next one, The Wife, better. I found it difficult to care much for Kristin at first, and had wanted to like her very much. Throughout the book the prevailing beliefs of the middle ages including Roman Catholicism, pervade everything, and I suspect that the religious beliefs of Kristin will become a much stronger focal point as the trilogy progresses, although I’ll have to wait to find out.
If you like family sagas and if you like Undset’s style of writing, I think you’ll enjoy this more than I did.
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LibraryThing member tkcs
The historical setting was interesting, but the story wasn't really compelling and I didn't like any of the characters. Everyone else seems to love the book, though, so I must be missing something.
LibraryThing member starbox
Historical fiction often falls flat by trying to portray a modern-day woman with a 21st century mindset in a long ago setting. Undsets Nobel prize winning tale of a 14th century girl manages to completely avoid this, and is a pretty compulsive read. Kristin starts out as a child on a middle class
When she is sent away to spend a year at a convent, the (betrothed) Kristin encounters the dashing Erlund. But this is no Romeo and Juliet story, as the older man already has a commonlaw wife and two illegitimate children at his homestead of Husaby...
Extremely well written and gripping.
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estate; the much-loved daughter of a handsome, good hearted landowner and his "heavy of mood" wife. The countryside, village life and the Catholic church form the backdrop to their story. But this is also a harsh world of violence and disease...When she is sent away to spend a year at a convent, the (betrothed) Kristin encounters the dashing Erlund. But this is no Romeo and Juliet story, as the older man already has a commonlaw wife and two illegitimate children at his homestead of Husaby...
Extremely well written and gripping.
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LibraryThing member LudieGrace
[February, 2018] Last reading was in the fall of 2015, so this is my fourth read-through. I would have guessed it was more recent than that, because this story stays with me all the time. Raised my rating to five stars! It's steadily climbed over the last seven years.
[Read for the second time in
---
[March, 2011] Considering the reviews I'd read and how much I often enjoy historical epic, I did not get nearly as invested in this story as I had hoped. I think it could have had a lot to do with the translation; if I decide to read the remainder of the trilogy, I'll try to get my hands on the Penguin edition translated by Nunnally. Even though I was not greatly enamored of Kristin's and Erlend's characters, it was interesting to read a story set in medieval Norway.
[Read for the second time in
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March, 2014] Definitely enjoyed this much more three years later. Raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars. The Nunnally translation is superior, as I'd expected. Easily one of the most wonderful works of historical fiction I have read, and the trilogy as a whole is one of my all-time favorites.---
[March, 2011] Considering the reviews I'd read and how much I often enjoy historical epic, I did not get nearly as invested in this story as I had hoped. I think it could have had a lot to do with the translation; if I decide to read the remainder of the trilogy, I'll try to get my hands on the Penguin edition translated by Nunnally. Even though I was not greatly enamored of Kristin's and Erlend's characters, it was interesting to read a story set in medieval Norway.
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LibraryThing member goosecap
I found the book relatively light on life-pain, but on the other hand, it’s quite careful too, so it preserves carefully what material it does use. It may be just a little observational comedy, but in a way it is something more too.
I think it’s true what the monk says, that people only give
…. People think about the Middle Ages: there was Religion. You had to follow, The Rules! But the reality is more mixed. There were rules, but the rules were sometimes relaxed for some people, and anyway people often got away with breaking the dreaded rules, you know.
Some people lived to be pious, some people guarded their money, and some people got drunk when nobody was looking (who cared).
…. “Yes, I see that you’re smiling, Kristin. But don’t you realize how badly things stand with you now? For you would rather hear about other people’s frailties than about the deeds of decent people, which might serve as an example for you.”
~ on the state of Fox News during the Middle Ages ^^
…. Of course, I’m more like the approval-seeking nun.
Oh, I see why you bother with all this shit. You ought to be recognized! All hail King Janemma, the Recognized One!
I was proud of my virtue like sinners are proud of their sin…. I thought I was cutting God a deal.
Because wow, you ask God to work on your character defects, and the Bastard goes to work like you asked him to! How rude! How provoking!
Rumi Jr: To the Most-Rude, the Most-Provoking!
…. If it were anyone else, it would be boring, but if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t approve of it.
…. How strange the normal person’s life must be, to drift from little sin to little sin, and never to feel a choice between real virtue and terrible vice. To gossip about, or be gossiped about. To a bird like me they are like the strange life of the ocean depths, the Mariana Trench; they are like foreigners—how can they not know that their speech is strange? How can they understand their life?
…. However, (although this is the speaker and not Kristin herself), I admire the ability to pay such close attention to nature and simple things; perhaps I am only halfway between Kristin and the speaker, and not the speaker herself.
I think it’s true what the monk says, that people only give
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God what they consider broken. And I go further and say, for some crazy reason, it can’t be any other way on this earth. I know it’s that way for me. When I ruled the world, I had no need of God. ‘Seas would rise when I gave the word’—although that’s not *quite* a good song if you actually get all the words, I guess because the seas really do rise when Chris Martin gives the word, and he can’t imagine it any other way; he can’t imagine himself healed, and free of himself. I think it was Aldous Huxley who said, “‘Thy kingdom come’, means ‘my kingdom go’.” It’s like that for me now. I am broken, so I have given Him myself. …. People think about the Middle Ages: there was Religion. You had to follow, The Rules! But the reality is more mixed. There were rules, but the rules were sometimes relaxed for some people, and anyway people often got away with breaking the dreaded rules, you know.
Some people lived to be pious, some people guarded their money, and some people got drunk when nobody was looking (who cared).
…. “Yes, I see that you’re smiling, Kristin. But don’t you realize how badly things stand with you now? For you would rather hear about other people’s frailties than about the deeds of decent people, which might serve as an example for you.”
~ on the state of Fox News during the Middle Ages ^^
…. Of course, I’m more like the approval-seeking nun.
Oh, I see why you bother with all this shit. You ought to be recognized! All hail King Janemma, the Recognized One!
I was proud of my virtue like sinners are proud of their sin…. I thought I was cutting God a deal.
Because wow, you ask God to work on your character defects, and the Bastard goes to work like you asked him to! How rude! How provoking!
Rumi Jr: To the Most-Rude, the Most-Provoking!
…. If it were anyone else, it would be boring, but if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t approve of it.
…. How strange the normal person’s life must be, to drift from little sin to little sin, and never to feel a choice between real virtue and terrible vice. To gossip about, or be gossiped about. To a bird like me they are like the strange life of the ocean depths, the Mariana Trench; they are like foreigners—how can they not know that their speech is strange? How can they understand their life?
…. However, (although this is the speaker and not Kristin herself), I admire the ability to pay such close attention to nature and simple things; perhaps I am only halfway between Kristin and the speaker, and not the speaker herself.
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LibraryThing member RickGeissal
This terrific hundred year old novel set in the 14th century. translated from the original Norwegian was a revelation. I loved reading this book and will read others by Sigrid Undset.
Subjects
Language
Original language
Norwegian