It's really satisfying to hear you say that the "entire enterprise turns on marriage difficulties"--I once described the trilogy as "about marriage" at an extended family dinner, only to be told that the scope of Undset's work was so much deeper than that (rigorous historical research that reveals the tensions between Christianity and Nordic myth in medieval Norway and whatnot...)
The review is steeped in the love of literature so carries that dimension too. Catnip! I certainly want to read The Story of Kristin Lavransdatter. Reading the review I was continually drawn back to Laurus, another historical novel with religious currents set in the Medieval period. That alone makes me want to read it.
I have to write again and say, I received the book recently through an interlibrary loan and am enjoying The Story of Kristin Lavransdatter very much. A part me me now lives in medieval Norway! I am an armchair traveler.
The copy I received (the Novel Prize edition) was published in 1929. It's written in an antiquated English that I find charming, with turns of phrase and words that have almost dropped out of the language. All these help create the aura of another time and place.
I can pay you no higher compliment than you’ve made me want to read this trilogy as soon as possible. Just from your synopsis I am already resonating with some of the themes of Kristin’s book.
Thank you so much for bringing this tale to my attention. Hopefully it is available through my local library
I have had the audio book for quite a while. Your review makes me want to queue this one next. Thanks! I’ll be reading Their Eyes Were Watching God in August. Can’t wait to see your review.
I enjoyed these thoughts about the trilogy and Undset, which I'll be restacking for my readers. (I posted my own reflections on Kristin Lavransdatter in February in three parts.) I completely agree with you that Undset defies the reader's expectations, particularly in book two. That's one of the things that makes the story so great. The whole trilogy was far more engaging than I could have imagined.
I bet you’re right about readers with little connection to Christianity. I would think the feel of it would already be foreign to many modern Christians.
I had the same experience of emotional investment. Kept me going all eleven hundred pages!
It's really satisfying to hear you say that the "entire enterprise turns on marriage difficulties"--I once described the trilogy as "about marriage" at an extended family dinner, only to be told that the scope of Undset's work was so much deeper than that (rigorous historical research that reveals the tensions between Christianity and Nordic myth in medieval Norway and whatnot...)
Don't see why it can't be both.
It's the best book about marriage I've ever read.
It’s definitely both. If that book isn’t about marriage, it’s not about anything :)
The review is steeped in the love of literature so carries that dimension too. Catnip! I certainly want to read The Story of Kristin Lavransdatter. Reading the review I was continually drawn back to Laurus, another historical novel with religious currents set in the Medieval period. That alone makes me want to read it.
I thought of Laurus several times when reading it. If you enjoyed Vodolazkin’s novel, you’ll enjoy this as well! It’s a remarkable book.
I have to write again and say, I received the book recently through an interlibrary loan and am enjoying The Story of Kristin Lavransdatter very much. A part me me now lives in medieval Norway! I am an armchair traveler.
The copy I received (the Novel Prize edition) was published in 1929. It's written in an antiquated English that I find charming, with turns of phrase and words that have almost dropped out of the language. All these help create the aura of another time and place.
Thank you Joel, for the recommendation.
Delighted to hear you’re enjoying it!
I can pay you no higher compliment than you’ve made me want to read this trilogy as soon as possible. Just from your synopsis I am already resonating with some of the themes of Kristin’s book.
Thank you so much for bringing this tale to my attention. Hopefully it is available through my local library
Thank you! I hope you can get a copy and dive in. It’s an amazing book.
I have had the audio book for quite a while. Your review makes me want to queue this one next. Thanks! I’ll be reading Their Eyes Were Watching God in August. Can’t wait to see your review.
Excited to hear what you think. You’ll need to drop back here and share your take on it.
This is one of my favorite trilogies, and your review is excellent. Now I want to reread it.
I enjoyed these thoughts about the trilogy and Undset, which I'll be restacking for my readers. (I posted my own reflections on Kristin Lavransdatter in February in three parts.) I completely agree with you that Undset defies the reader's expectations, particularly in book two. That's one of the things that makes the story so great. The whole trilogy was far more engaging than I could have imagined.
I bet you’re right about readers with little connection to Christianity. I would think the feel of it would already be foreign to many modern Christians.
I had the same experience of emotional investment. Kept me going all eleven hundred pages!