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Paul Selmer #1
The Wild Orchid
The Wild Orchid, the first volume of Nobel Prize-winning Undset’s novel The Winding Road, is the story of Paul Selmer, a typical child of the experientially emancipated, intellectually enlightened modern age. The son of upper middle class Protestant parents, who divorced when he was a teenager, Paul is raised along with his sister and two brothers by his mother to be a freethinker. Amidst the prosaic trappings of his work and play, the pursuit of a mistress and then a marriage, and with the threat of a world war looming over Norway, Paul yearns for a deeper, more abiding meaning and order for his hopes and loves. Similar to Undset’s masterpieces Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken, The Wild Orchid manifests the raw honesty and sensitivity with which its author perceives the human experience, capturing the peculiar tensions and harmonies of flesh and spirit in a drama of germinating grace.
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1929
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About the author
Sigrid Undset
273 books875 followersSigrid Undset was a Norwegian novelist whose powerful, psychologically rich works made her one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. Best known for her medieval sagas Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928 for her vivid portrayals of life in the Middle Ages, written with remarkable historical detail and emotional depth.
Born in Denmark to Norwegian parents, Undset spent most of her life in Norway. After her father's early death, she had to forgo formal education and worked as a secretary while writing in her spare time. Her debut novel Fru Marta Oulie (1907) shocked readers with its opening confession of adultery and established her bold, realist style. In early works like ,i>Jenny (1911), she explored modern women's struggles with love, freedom, and morality, often critiquing romantic idealism and social expectations.
Though she gained recognition for her contemporary novels, Undset felt increasingly drawn to historical fiction. This shift led to her masterwork Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy published from 1920 to 1922, which follows the life of a woman in 14th-century Norway as she navigates love, faith, motherhood, and spiritual growth. With its intricate character development and deep moral themes, the trilogy brought her international acclaim and remains a cornerstone of Scandinavian literature.
In 1924, Undset converted to Roman Catholicism, a profound personal decision that shaped her later writing. Her tetralogy,i>The Master of Hestviken (1925–1927) centers on a man burdened by unconfessed guilt, offering a deeply spiritual and psychological portrait of sin and redemption. Her Catholic faith and concern with ethical questions became central to her work and public life.
A vocal critic of both communism and fascism, Undset fled Norway after the Nazi invasion in 1940. Her books were banned by the occupying regime, and she lived in exile in the United States during the war, advocating for Norway and the Allied cause. The loss of her son in the war deeply affected her, and although she returned home after the war, she published little in her final years.
Undset’s legacy rests not only on her historical novels but also on her fearless exploration of conscience, duty, and the human condition. Her characters—especially her women—are fully realized, flawed, and emotionally complex. Her writing combines psychological insight with stylistic clarity and spiritual depth, making her work enduringly relevant and widely read.
Born in Denmark to Norwegian parents, Undset spent most of her life in Norway. After her father's early death, she had to forgo formal education and worked as a secretary while writing in her spare time. Her debut novel Fru Marta Oulie (1907) shocked readers with its opening confession of adultery and established her bold, realist style. In early works like ,i>Jenny (1911), she explored modern women's struggles with love, freedom, and morality, often critiquing romantic idealism and social expectations.
Though she gained recognition for her contemporary novels, Undset felt increasingly drawn to historical fiction. This shift led to her masterwork Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy published from 1920 to 1922, which follows the life of a woman in 14th-century Norway as she navigates love, faith, motherhood, and spiritual growth. With its intricate character development and deep moral themes, the trilogy brought her international acclaim and remains a cornerstone of Scandinavian literature.
In 1924, Undset converted to Roman Catholicism, a profound personal decision that shaped her later writing. Her tetralogy,i>The Master of Hestviken (1925–1927) centers on a man burdened by unconfessed guilt, offering a deeply spiritual and psychological portrait of sin and redemption. Her Catholic faith and concern with ethical questions became central to her work and public life.
A vocal critic of both communism and fascism, Undset fled Norway after the Nazi invasion in 1940. Her books were banned by the occupying regime, and she lived in exile in the United States during the war, advocating for Norway and the Allied cause. The loss of her son in the war deeply affected her, and although she returned home after the war, she published little in her final years.
Undset’s legacy rests not only on her historical novels but also on her fearless exploration of conscience, duty, and the human condition. Her characters—especially her women—are fully realized, flawed, and emotionally complex. Her writing combines psychological insight with stylistic clarity and spiritual depth, making her work enduringly relevant and widely read.
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February 5, 2016
Set in the early years of the twentieth century, from the time when Norway finally gains its independence from Sweden, all the way up to the first days of World War I, Sigrid Undset again depicts the beautiful landscape of Norway while telling a spellbinding yet heartbreaking story about real human characters. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928, Undset is one of my favorite authors. Her style is plain, straightforward, and piercingly insightful, and her understanding of her characters thorough and subtle.
The Wild Orchid, the first of a two-book series called "The Winding Road", follows Paul Selmer, a young man who falls in love with the charmingly rustic Lucy Arnesen. The two come from different worlds, but Paul is adamant in his intentions to marry her, despite the disapproval he meets with from his family. The story comes to a startling and shocking climax that I won't spoil here. One slightly frustrating aspect of this book is the fact that the reader doesn't really get to see the cause, or even the immediate consequences, of this sudden development, until almost the end of the second book when two characters who have long been estranged finally meet each other again.
Another central aspect of the novel is Paul's search for truth, which results first in a mild flirtation with, and finally with a serious approach to Catholicism. This is a fresh and bold move on Undset's part, for a couple of reasons: firstly, religion itself was at the time of the book's writing, and continues to be today, not a subject taken very seriously or felt to be terribly attractive; and secondly, because Catholicism has been a minority faith in Norway since the Reformation, viewed there with deep suspicion. Yet the case for Catholic Christianity which is made to Paul, gradually and through a variety of situations and developments, is not only believable but rational and compelling. The discussions Paul has with other characters, such as his liberal-minded brother-in-law and his modern, "free-thinking" mother, are keen and intriguing, especially the point that Paul, a skeptic himself, makes about the truth or falsehood of Christianity.
The heart, though, of this novel is Paul and Lucy themselves, and the suffering, yearning and love they experience together. One thing that Undset has proven her skill in depicting through fiction is passion. Emotion that seeps through every aspect of the story and of her character's lives.
The Wild Orchid, the first of a two-book series called "The Winding Road", follows Paul Selmer, a young man who falls in love with the charmingly rustic Lucy Arnesen. The two come from different worlds, but Paul is adamant in his intentions to marry her, despite the disapproval he meets with from his family. The story comes to a startling and shocking climax that I won't spoil here. One slightly frustrating aspect of this book is the fact that the reader doesn't really get to see the cause, or even the immediate consequences, of this sudden development, until almost the end of the second book when two characters who have long been estranged finally meet each other again.
Another central aspect of the novel is Paul's search for truth, which results first in a mild flirtation with, and finally with a serious approach to Catholicism. This is a fresh and bold move on Undset's part, for a couple of reasons: firstly, religion itself was at the time of the book's writing, and continues to be today, not a subject taken very seriously or felt to be terribly attractive; and secondly, because Catholicism has been a minority faith in Norway since the Reformation, viewed there with deep suspicion. Yet the case for Catholic Christianity which is made to Paul, gradually and through a variety of situations and developments, is not only believable but rational and compelling. The discussions Paul has with other characters, such as his liberal-minded brother-in-law and his modern, "free-thinking" mother, are keen and intriguing, especially the point that Paul, a skeptic himself, makes about the truth or falsehood of Christianity.
The heart, though, of this novel is Paul and Lucy themselves, and the suffering, yearning and love they experience together. One thing that Undset has proven her skill in depicting through fiction is passion. Emotion that seeps through every aspect of the story and of her character's lives.
December 16, 2021
Dedicated with great affection to Mari Ángeles.
Ladies and gentlemen at first I had no intention of writing this review, since among my plans was to continue with my rereading of"Querencio" by the interesting Sergio Gómez Moyan or https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , but there was an event that made me modify my plans (that yes tomorrow that may be the last day of this year in which I go to work, since the University closes I have the firm intention of finishing my rereading of"Querencio",and as due to a matter tomorrow I will be longer in the Faculty of Medicine my plan is to finish the reading of"Querencio" , and try to end that criticism. Unfortunately I will have to postpone my plan and it is because yesterday my partner in Catholic Book Club Mari Ángeles to whom she affectionately dedicated this review wrote a very good review of"Wild Orchid",or"Gymadenia" although the Spanish translation is far from the translation of the title seems more poetic to me"White Orchid". But returning to Mari Ángeles her review I liked so much that I wanted to post a comment in my disastrous English congratulating her for having written it, but unfortunately, and rightly so she only admits comments from friends. I am not his friend in Goodreads (against my will, as I would like to be), although I think that my temperament, and my virulent character have been able to give him a not very positive impression of me. After all, without wishing it I have played the role of bad boy, and I have always been involved in much of the discussions, and of the group. So I apologize to all members of the Catholic Book Club, especially Professor Manuel Alfonseca, whose blog I highly recommend, especially to people interested in scientific issues (I can no longer put the link, because Goodreads does not support links that are not goodreads) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... What I can do is recommend his wonderful books on science fiction, fantasy, and other themes. Many of them are available in English, and can be downloaded so I encourage you to read them. The Professor is one of the brightest heads of the old continent, and the greatest treasure I can have is his friendship.
But let's stop sentimentality, and it is convenient that you talk to the user who reads this review of what you have come to read. My opinion of"White Orchid". I didn't know how long it had been since I read this book goodreads tells me that eight years I thought more time had passed, although it is possible that this was the period when I added it and the reading was even earlier. In fact, I had a very fuzzy memory of this book, and I've made some mistakes, mixing things from this book, and from its sequel"The Burning Bush" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... The first thing I must say is that I read this book after its sequel"The Burning Bush",that when I read it I liked it very much, and that the action of"The wild orchid" continues that made me already know Paul Selmer, and his family before starting the reading of"The wild orchid". I was certainly wrong I guess I saw"La zarza ardiente" (both"The wild orchid" and"La zarza ardiente" were published in the Spanish publishing house Crisol, although it is very possible, that they were also edited by Aguilar. I have rereaded it in the edition of Plaza Janes, and"La zarza ardiente" has been published in Spain by Editorial Encuentro). When I read"The Burning Bush" I thought it was a magnificent book, in fact, it was one of the best books I had ever read. On the other hand, and it should be said, although"Wild Orchid" I liked (let's remove the Sambenito from saying that a book with three stars is bad. No way, if you've put three stars on a book, you liked it.) I think, I already commented, that if I had been lucky enough to be an editor, and it was up to me to edit a book, or I wouldn't edit any book that I put three stars on. That does not mean that he gave greater presence to books to which he has put four, or five stars. The first thing I want to say is that"The Wild Orchid" is not a failure, and I say that, because there are people who have the opinion, or who think that I have been very critical of this book. You have to qualify this, that I am very hard with a book does not mean that I do not like it (I would miss more). It is also possible that there are people who think that I have been very Undset. It is possible that my terrible English has led people to think that I have gone overboard in my criticism of this author. True, I am very Sigrid Undset, but I am to a large extent, because before reading the novels of Sigrid Undset I was sold by critics of Catholic literature, and many of her fans that she was the best writer of historical novels. What is certain is that Undset flees from the model of historical novel proposed by romanticism, which exalted nationalism, and with extreme characters of very good good, and bad very bad. That this doesn't have to be bad. I think I have already commented in other criticisms on the importance of Sir. Walter Scott in the creation of History as a discipline, or university career https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... without his novel about Charles the Bold it would have been impossible for a fascinated Leopold von Ranke, fascinated by Charles the Bold, to make History the tools that would allow it to be a university discipline, and a social science. True, that not only should the paternity of History be attributed only to Leopold von Ranke https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for example Giambattista Vico https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in his attempt to demolish Galileo Galilei developed the methodology of History as a social science. I repeat one thing, which Professor Manuel Alfonseca tells me, that it is best to be skilled both in the branches of the natural sciences and in the branch of the humanities. An intelligent person does not despise either branch, and tries to excel in both science and letters.
But returning to the debate that concerned us the Undset model looking for a more realistic story does not mean that romanticism should be discarded. When I read Undset fans attack romanticism by validating Undset's realistic novels against the model of romanticism. True, that romanticism has exacerbated nationalisms, and was used so much by the totalitarianisms of the twentieth century (I also include communism, because when his universalist theory failed, and when the genocidal papaite Stalin https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... did badly in the World War well that pulled Ivan the Treble, and Alexander Nevsky). However this great mistake should not blind us, and we must admit that Walter Scott, Alessandro Manzoni, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Alexandre Dumas, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Arthur Conan Doyle https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., or Henryk Sienkiewicz https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... they are bad writers, or their method is inferior to that of Sigrid Undset is to make you look at it. In my opinion I think that with it being as rigorously historical as possible, it is well written, and it is moral I think it is enough for you to like a writer, and it does not take much more. I sometimes asked myself, if sometimes the critics, or some fans of a particular writer do not hurt the writer more with their proselytism, their excessive praise, and attacking other writers. I am astonished, as to praise the virtues of a writer you necessarily have in the process to attack others, or not to quote them explicitly the style of other writers. Sigrid Undset is rather the victim of these people. But going back to the question when the great connoisseurs of literature sold me to Undset as the best historical novelist I was very excited, because I thought it would be much better, than the one who for me is the best Nordic writer who is the undervalued Mika Waltari. He took the opportunity to talk about him, when the 2 has announced that he is going to broadcast the film"Sinuhe the Egyptian" which is an adaptation of his wonderful novel"The Egyptian" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (it is a pity, because my intention was to have written a review of his novel"Queen for a day",or " Karina Mansdotter" but she's not going to give me time https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...). I certainly do not know if it will be a matter of the translators, or merit of Mika Waltari himself I like more how Mika Waltari writes, and especially the wonderful portraits, and descriptions he makes of his historical characters. As flaws Waltari has that being a Protestant is very imbued with the black legend, and other anti-Catholic topics, and the feeling of despite writing in an existentialist tone that I personally love. It seems to me that sometimes it falls into selling tolerance, and it escapes that there is something bigger than that. As Waltari would say, he is very imbued with the world, while Undset seeks the truth, which would be to place Jesus Christ in the search, and at the very center of History. One has the feeling that Paul Selmer, unlike Sinuhe, or Jean Ange, or Mikael Karvajalka, who at most despite his adventures can only obtain partial successes Paul Selmer and many of the heroes of Undset come to discover the truth, which is God himself in the person of his son Jesus Christ, in fact this is one of the topics he discusses with his brother-in-law Halstein Garnaas. If Jesus Christ is the most admirable being in history as Ernest Renan would argue https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or as Undset says, and more aptly C.S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... you can call him crazy, liar, or worship him as God, but what he is certainly not is a teacher of morals as Renan maintains, and the modernist school. That it also wreaked havoc on Protestantism, and this must be said, can be seen in the wonderful adaptation of Kaj Munk's play"Ordet" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (the role of Reverend Munk deserves our praise, as he worked for the Danish Resistance, and as revenge was executed by Nazism) of which Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... made a magnificent film. In that play appeared a modernist Pastor who denied the existence of miracles, although on modernism there is a more stinging attack of Undset in"The Burning Bush". Sigrid Undset, which I must emphasize has two very good things one is something that modern historians have tried, either annale,or microhistory, and that is to tell the daily life of the non-privileged estates of the peasants, the allodies, the petty bourgeoisie, the serfs in front of a history of the elites, which only speaks of the kings, and the great historical figures. In this sense Undset was a precursor of Total History, and the History of Mentalities. Another even greater virtue is to prove that the history of the Scandinavians is as fascinating, or even much better, than that of the pagan Vikings. Let's see if Mr. Price instead of devoting himself to queer history takes an example of this. Another very positive element of Undset is that this Christian Scandinavia tries to narrate it as if they were sagas, as did"Kristin Lavransdatter" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... or Olav Audunsson" also known as"The master of Hestviken" https://www.goodreads.com/series/2075... (telling a part of the history of the Norwegian of the thirteenth century, and XIV). One thing he asked me is whether Undset influenced Ingmar Bergman's film the seventh label https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... because this theme appears in"Kristin Lavransdatter". I think Undset achieved a lot of success in telling the Nordic story, getting better results than Johannes V. Jensen (the author of "The Fall ofthe King" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Bjornsterne Bjornson https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Verner von Heidenstham https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Halldor Kiljan Laxness https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... author who was always divided between Catholicism, and communism, and finally gave his heart to the latter cause (a pity), also considered it to Pars Lagerkvist (the famous author of Barrabas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... with all the dwarf seems to me his best work https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ). Of all the Nordic Catholic writers I think of Johannes Jorgenssen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Sven Stolpe https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Gunnel Vallquist https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or Torgny Lindgren https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or Jon Sveisson https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Perhaps Undset is the best known and the best of them all.
(continues)
Ladies and gentlemen at first I had no intention of writing this review, since among my plans was to continue with my rereading of"Querencio" by the interesting Sergio Gómez Moyan or https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , but there was an event that made me modify my plans (that yes tomorrow that may be the last day of this year in which I go to work, since the University closes I have the firm intention of finishing my rereading of"Querencio",and as due to a matter tomorrow I will be longer in the Faculty of Medicine my plan is to finish the reading of"Querencio" , and try to end that criticism. Unfortunately I will have to postpone my plan and it is because yesterday my partner in Catholic Book Club Mari Ángeles to whom she affectionately dedicated this review wrote a very good review of"Wild Orchid",or"Gymadenia" although the Spanish translation is far from the translation of the title seems more poetic to me"White Orchid". But returning to Mari Ángeles her review I liked so much that I wanted to post a comment in my disastrous English congratulating her for having written it, but unfortunately, and rightly so she only admits comments from friends. I am not his friend in Goodreads (against my will, as I would like to be), although I think that my temperament, and my virulent character have been able to give him a not very positive impression of me. After all, without wishing it I have played the role of bad boy, and I have always been involved in much of the discussions, and of the group. So I apologize to all members of the Catholic Book Club, especially Professor Manuel Alfonseca, whose blog I highly recommend, especially to people interested in scientific issues (I can no longer put the link, because Goodreads does not support links that are not goodreads) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... What I can do is recommend his wonderful books on science fiction, fantasy, and other themes. Many of them are available in English, and can be downloaded so I encourage you to read them. The Professor is one of the brightest heads of the old continent, and the greatest treasure I can have is his friendship.
But let's stop sentimentality, and it is convenient that you talk to the user who reads this review of what you have come to read. My opinion of"White Orchid". I didn't know how long it had been since I read this book goodreads tells me that eight years I thought more time had passed, although it is possible that this was the period when I added it and the reading was even earlier. In fact, I had a very fuzzy memory of this book, and I've made some mistakes, mixing things from this book, and from its sequel"The Burning Bush" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... The first thing I must say is that I read this book after its sequel"The Burning Bush",that when I read it I liked it very much, and that the action of"The wild orchid" continues that made me already know Paul Selmer, and his family before starting the reading of"The wild orchid". I was certainly wrong I guess I saw"La zarza ardiente" (both"The wild orchid" and"La zarza ardiente" were published in the Spanish publishing house Crisol, although it is very possible, that they were also edited by Aguilar. I have rereaded it in the edition of Plaza Janes, and"La zarza ardiente" has been published in Spain by Editorial Encuentro). When I read"The Burning Bush" I thought it was a magnificent book, in fact, it was one of the best books I had ever read. On the other hand, and it should be said, although"Wild Orchid" I liked (let's remove the Sambenito from saying that a book with three stars is bad. No way, if you've put three stars on a book, you liked it.) I think, I already commented, that if I had been lucky enough to be an editor, and it was up to me to edit a book, or I wouldn't edit any book that I put three stars on. That does not mean that he gave greater presence to books to which he has put four, or five stars. The first thing I want to say is that"The Wild Orchid" is not a failure, and I say that, because there are people who have the opinion, or who think that I have been very critical of this book. You have to qualify this, that I am very hard with a book does not mean that I do not like it (I would miss more). It is also possible that there are people who think that I have been very Undset. It is possible that my terrible English has led people to think that I have gone overboard in my criticism of this author. True, I am very Sigrid Undset, but I am to a large extent, because before reading the novels of Sigrid Undset I was sold by critics of Catholic literature, and many of her fans that she was the best writer of historical novels. What is certain is that Undset flees from the model of historical novel proposed by romanticism, which exalted nationalism, and with extreme characters of very good good, and bad very bad. That this doesn't have to be bad. I think I have already commented in other criticisms on the importance of Sir. Walter Scott in the creation of History as a discipline, or university career https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... without his novel about Charles the Bold it would have been impossible for a fascinated Leopold von Ranke, fascinated by Charles the Bold, to make History the tools that would allow it to be a university discipline, and a social science. True, that not only should the paternity of History be attributed only to Leopold von Ranke https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for example Giambattista Vico https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in his attempt to demolish Galileo Galilei developed the methodology of History as a social science. I repeat one thing, which Professor Manuel Alfonseca tells me, that it is best to be skilled both in the branches of the natural sciences and in the branch of the humanities. An intelligent person does not despise either branch, and tries to excel in both science and letters.
But returning to the debate that concerned us the Undset model looking for a more realistic story does not mean that romanticism should be discarded. When I read Undset fans attack romanticism by validating Undset's realistic novels against the model of romanticism. True, that romanticism has exacerbated nationalisms, and was used so much by the totalitarianisms of the twentieth century (I also include communism, because when his universalist theory failed, and when the genocidal papaite Stalin https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... did badly in the World War well that pulled Ivan the Treble, and Alexander Nevsky). However this great mistake should not blind us, and we must admit that Walter Scott, Alessandro Manzoni, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Alexandre Dumas, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Arthur Conan Doyle https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., or Henryk Sienkiewicz https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... they are bad writers, or their method is inferior to that of Sigrid Undset is to make you look at it. In my opinion I think that with it being as rigorously historical as possible, it is well written, and it is moral I think it is enough for you to like a writer, and it does not take much more. I sometimes asked myself, if sometimes the critics, or some fans of a particular writer do not hurt the writer more with their proselytism, their excessive praise, and attacking other writers. I am astonished, as to praise the virtues of a writer you necessarily have in the process to attack others, or not to quote them explicitly the style of other writers. Sigrid Undset is rather the victim of these people. But going back to the question when the great connoisseurs of literature sold me to Undset as the best historical novelist I was very excited, because I thought it would be much better, than the one who for me is the best Nordic writer who is the undervalued Mika Waltari. He took the opportunity to talk about him, when the 2 has announced that he is going to broadcast the film"Sinuhe the Egyptian" which is an adaptation of his wonderful novel"The Egyptian" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (it is a pity, because my intention was to have written a review of his novel"Queen for a day",or " Karina Mansdotter" but she's not going to give me time https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...). I certainly do not know if it will be a matter of the translators, or merit of Mika Waltari himself I like more how Mika Waltari writes, and especially the wonderful portraits, and descriptions he makes of his historical characters. As flaws Waltari has that being a Protestant is very imbued with the black legend, and other anti-Catholic topics, and the feeling of despite writing in an existentialist tone that I personally love. It seems to me that sometimes it falls into selling tolerance, and it escapes that there is something bigger than that. As Waltari would say, he is very imbued with the world, while Undset seeks the truth, which would be to place Jesus Christ in the search, and at the very center of History. One has the feeling that Paul Selmer, unlike Sinuhe, or Jean Ange, or Mikael Karvajalka, who at most despite his adventures can only obtain partial successes Paul Selmer and many of the heroes of Undset come to discover the truth, which is God himself in the person of his son Jesus Christ, in fact this is one of the topics he discusses with his brother-in-law Halstein Garnaas. If Jesus Christ is the most admirable being in history as Ernest Renan would argue https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or as Undset says, and more aptly C.S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... you can call him crazy, liar, or worship him as God, but what he is certainly not is a teacher of morals as Renan maintains, and the modernist school. That it also wreaked havoc on Protestantism, and this must be said, can be seen in the wonderful adaptation of Kaj Munk's play"Ordet" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (the role of Reverend Munk deserves our praise, as he worked for the Danish Resistance, and as revenge was executed by Nazism) of which Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... made a magnificent film. In that play appeared a modernist Pastor who denied the existence of miracles, although on modernism there is a more stinging attack of Undset in"The Burning Bush". Sigrid Undset, which I must emphasize has two very good things one is something that modern historians have tried, either annale,or microhistory, and that is to tell the daily life of the non-privileged estates of the peasants, the allodies, the petty bourgeoisie, the serfs in front of a history of the elites, which only speaks of the kings, and the great historical figures. In this sense Undset was a precursor of Total History, and the History of Mentalities. Another even greater virtue is to prove that the history of the Scandinavians is as fascinating, or even much better, than that of the pagan Vikings. Let's see if Mr. Price instead of devoting himself to queer history takes an example of this. Another very positive element of Undset is that this Christian Scandinavia tries to narrate it as if they were sagas, as did"Kristin Lavransdatter" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... or Olav Audunsson" also known as"The master of Hestviken" https://www.goodreads.com/series/2075... (telling a part of the history of the Norwegian of the thirteenth century, and XIV). One thing he asked me is whether Undset influenced Ingmar Bergman's film the seventh label https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... because this theme appears in"Kristin Lavransdatter". I think Undset achieved a lot of success in telling the Nordic story, getting better results than Johannes V. Jensen (the author of "The Fall ofthe King" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Bjornsterne Bjornson https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Verner von Heidenstham https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Halldor Kiljan Laxness https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... author who was always divided between Catholicism, and communism, and finally gave his heart to the latter cause (a pity), also considered it to Pars Lagerkvist (the famous author of Barrabas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... with all the dwarf seems to me his best work https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ). Of all the Nordic Catholic writers I think of Johannes Jorgenssen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Sven Stolpe https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Gunnel Vallquist https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or Torgny Lindgren https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or Jon Sveisson https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Perhaps Undset is the best known and the best of them all.
(continues)
December 12, 2021
I found myself quickly immersed in the first 2/3 of this novel. I found the last third less interesting, mostly because of the new characters. The style of the book and the character of Paul remind me of the writings of A.J. Cronin about young men starting their lives and careers (like The Citadel, Shannon's Way).
On the other hand, sometimes characters show up and events are referred to without any previous mention, something that Selma Lagerlof does too. I wonder if it is a feature of Scandinavian authors or if something is lost in the English translation.
The story is unfinished and continues in The Burning Bush.
On the other hand, sometimes characters show up and events are referred to without any previous mention, something that Selma Lagerlof does too. I wonder if it is a feature of Scandinavian authors or if something is lost in the English translation.
The story is unfinished and continues in The Burning Bush.
January 15, 2014
Hmm...
Sigrid Undset is one of three Nobel laureates from Norway. As such, while I knew this wasn't the book she received her prize for (that was the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy), I had some expectations. Language-wise, I wasn't let down.
However, this book was .. uninteresting. I didn't care much for the protagonist, nor for his struggles. After some time, I was left with a goal of getting through. Which I did. Yay for that.
Wouldn't reccomend this one, really
Sigrid Undset is one of three Nobel laureates from Norway. As such, while I knew this wasn't the book she received her prize for (that was the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy), I had some expectations. Language-wise, I wasn't let down.
However, this book was .. uninteresting. I didn't care much for the protagonist, nor for his struggles. After some time, I was left with a goal of getting through. Which I did. Yay for that.
Wouldn't reccomend this one, really
August 24, 2023
I was prepared to be disappointed because I had heard tepid reviews from people who prefer her historical fiction. Undset's historical novels are incredible, so I get that, but I found pre-war Norway to be a fascinating setting in its own right and Undset's favorite themes are all here in abundance. If you like long character-driven explorations of human nature, sin, and grace, it is well worth the effort to hunt down a copy. I loved every page and can't wait to start reading the second book.
July 17, 2014
What a pity that this book is out of print and hard to find. It is as beautifully written as Undset's other works, and worth the trouble it takes to locate a copy. Highly recommended.
December 25, 2021
ENGLISH: This is a temporary review, for the novel does not have a real end, but continues in a second part, The Burning Bush. Therefore I cannot give it a final rating until I have read it through.
The complete novel describes the author's conversion into Catholicism, although its main character is not a woman, but a man (Paul Selmer).
I find Sigrid Undset's writing style very good, even though I've read an English translation, which means that not only the author's style, but also the translator's, is quite good.
Sometimes it's easy to see that the author is a woman. Let's look at one example. At one point, looking at a woman, Paul thinks this: She was just a tiny bit too stylish to be quite elegant. In fact, this is a woman's thought about another woman's attire. In my opinion, Paul, being a man, would have had never had that thought.
ESPAÑOL: Esta crítica es provisional, puesto que esta novela no termina, ya que continúa en una segunda parte, La zarza ardiente. Por lo tanto, no puedo darle una calificación definitiva hasta que la haya leído hasta su verdadero final.
La novela completa describe la conversión al catolicismo de la autora, aunque su personaje principal no es una mujer, sino un hombre (Paul Selmer).
El estilo de Sigrid Undset me ha parecido muy bueno, a pesar de haber leído una traducción al inglés, lo que significa que no solo el estilo de la autora, sino también el del traductor, son buenos.
A veces se nota que la autora es mujer. Veamos un ejemplo. En cierto punto, al ver a una mujer, Paul piensa esto: Ella vestía con demasiado estilo para ser elegante. De hecho, eso es lo que pensaría una mujer sobre el atuendo de otra. En mi opinión, Paul, que es un hombre, jamás hubiera pensado tal cosa.
The complete novel describes the author's conversion into Catholicism, although its main character is not a woman, but a man (Paul Selmer).
I find Sigrid Undset's writing style very good, even though I've read an English translation, which means that not only the author's style, but also the translator's, is quite good.
Sometimes it's easy to see that the author is a woman. Let's look at one example. At one point, looking at a woman, Paul thinks this: She was just a tiny bit too stylish to be quite elegant. In fact, this is a woman's thought about another woman's attire. In my opinion, Paul, being a man, would have had never had that thought.
ESPAÑOL: Esta crítica es provisional, puesto que esta novela no termina, ya que continúa en una segunda parte, La zarza ardiente. Por lo tanto, no puedo darle una calificación definitiva hasta que la haya leído hasta su verdadero final.
La novela completa describe la conversión al catolicismo de la autora, aunque su personaje principal no es una mujer, sino un hombre (Paul Selmer).
El estilo de Sigrid Undset me ha parecido muy bueno, a pesar de haber leído una traducción al inglés, lo que significa que no solo el estilo de la autora, sino también el del traductor, son buenos.
A veces se nota que la autora es mujer. Veamos un ejemplo. En cierto punto, al ver a una mujer, Paul piensa esto: Ella vestía con demasiado estilo para ser elegante. De hecho, eso es lo que pensaría una mujer sobre el atuendo de otra. En mi opinión, Paul, que es un hombre, jamás hubiera pensado tal cosa.
April 19, 2022
A wonderful book. This is the first of two books that make up The Winding Road. Paul Selmer’s early life is tumultuous but unexceptional. Sigrid Undset tells a familiar story through Paul, the events of his life ebb and flow as they do for most people--Paul grows up in a modern home (with divorced parents and a freethinking mother), makes choices about college and field of study, goes on dates and pursues marriage, decides on a profession, and makes mundane decisions such as where to live and what to do with his time. In all these small but momentous decisions, Paul's life takes shape.
But his life is all the while being shaped by things larger than himself. Paul's story is embedded within a larger story, and he is tossed by events he does not choose or consent to. Whether they be family events, political political shifts in his country (Norway), or great world events such as the start of the first World War. And more importantly, Paul's journey through life is interrupted time and again by small moments where he perceives divine grace and a higher purpose. Paul is raised as a child of the Enlightenment and is too sophisticated to believe in religion, but he slowly begins to see that if Christianity is true, "then the whole of life was inconceivably more wonderful and dangerous and rich, so unspeakably more serious and valuable than he had ever dreamt. He had a glimpse of paths which led out into a darkness beyond his imagining, and forward into a light that he scarcely dared to divine."
My one complaint is that the novel equates Protestantism with liberal modern theology. Maybe this is how it was in Norway at the time and it's a very minor issue in relation to the story, but Undset definitely had a bone to pick with Norwegian Protestant churches.
But his life is all the while being shaped by things larger than himself. Paul's story is embedded within a larger story, and he is tossed by events he does not choose or consent to. Whether they be family events, political political shifts in his country (Norway), or great world events such as the start of the first World War. And more importantly, Paul's journey through life is interrupted time and again by small moments where he perceives divine grace and a higher purpose. Paul is raised as a child of the Enlightenment and is too sophisticated to believe in religion, but he slowly begins to see that if Christianity is true, "then the whole of life was inconceivably more wonderful and dangerous and rich, so unspeakably more serious and valuable than he had ever dreamt. He had a glimpse of paths which led out into a darkness beyond his imagining, and forward into a light that he scarcely dared to divine."
My one complaint is that the novel equates Protestantism with liberal modern theology. Maybe this is how it was in Norway at the time and it's a very minor issue in relation to the story, but Undset definitely had a bone to pick with Norwegian Protestant churches.
December 15, 2021
First I must state I had high expectations for this book. The works of Sigrid Undset have been recommended to me several times and from various sources. And the Catholic Book Club on Goodreads was reading it. When I began the book I had several from Undest on my wish list or to be read pile. After this one I am not sure I will ever get to them. At best my feelings while reading this was underwhelmed. If we had not been reading it for the book club it would have ended up on my ‘did not finish pile’.
Two passages did stick out to me:
““Pray for?” Gotaas’s look was empty and stupid. “One doesn’t exactly pray for anything in particular—well, of course—” he drawled, and said no more. “I mean, for instance, you might pray for things you want—things you wish God to do for yourself or your family.” “Oh, I see. Supplications. Yes, I do that too—morning and evening— when I’ve finished with my morning prayer or evening prayer, then I do sometimes pray to God about my own affairs and such like—” “Then do you Catholics say your prayers simply for the sake of praying, is that it?” “Simply for the sake of praying—how do you mean?” Gotaas looked perfectly idiotic. “Well, what else should one pray for? Except of course sometimes, when one prays because of something one wants to obtain. But generally one prays for the sake of praying. It’s the same thing when you’re with ordinary people just—as a rule you’re with them for the sake of having their company, because you like them and think it’s cheerful to have them to talk to.””
And
“If this was the truth, then the whole of life was inconceivably more wonderful and dangerous and rich, so unspeakably more serious and valuable than he had ever dreamt. He had a glimpse of paths which led out into a darkness beyond his imagining, and forward into a light that he scarcely dared to divine.”
I typically read a novel in a day or two. This one was almost 2 weeks and it was work. Close to a dozen times I thought about throwing in the towel on this one. I found it slow and plodding. I did not find much redeemable or engaging about almost all of the characters. I found the characters flat at best. And The story just seemed to drag and drag and drag. I think if the book club does the continuation of the story, The Burning Bush, I might just have to skip it.
The most redeeming aspect was finding out the story is loosely autobiographical. Set a decade before her own conversion. If I had known that I may have appreciated the story more.
I really appreciate the work of Cluny Media, they are trying to restore Catholic books, bringing them bac into print in wonderful physical editions and for a few eBooks. They are excellent editions.
Again my overall rating is underwhelmed! It is considered a classic in Catholic fiction, and the author receives rave reviews, But I would not personally recommend it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
Two passages did stick out to me:
““Pray for?” Gotaas’s look was empty and stupid. “One doesn’t exactly pray for anything in particular—well, of course—” he drawled, and said no more. “I mean, for instance, you might pray for things you want—things you wish God to do for yourself or your family.” “Oh, I see. Supplications. Yes, I do that too—morning and evening— when I’ve finished with my morning prayer or evening prayer, then I do sometimes pray to God about my own affairs and such like—” “Then do you Catholics say your prayers simply for the sake of praying, is that it?” “Simply for the sake of praying—how do you mean?” Gotaas looked perfectly idiotic. “Well, what else should one pray for? Except of course sometimes, when one prays because of something one wants to obtain. But generally one prays for the sake of praying. It’s the same thing when you’re with ordinary people just—as a rule you’re with them for the sake of having their company, because you like them and think it’s cheerful to have them to talk to.””
And
“If this was the truth, then the whole of life was inconceivably more wonderful and dangerous and rich, so unspeakably more serious and valuable than he had ever dreamt. He had a glimpse of paths which led out into a darkness beyond his imagining, and forward into a light that he scarcely dared to divine.”
I typically read a novel in a day or two. This one was almost 2 weeks and it was work. Close to a dozen times I thought about throwing in the towel on this one. I found it slow and plodding. I did not find much redeemable or engaging about almost all of the characters. I found the characters flat at best. And The story just seemed to drag and drag and drag. I think if the book club does the continuation of the story, The Burning Bush, I might just have to skip it.
The most redeeming aspect was finding out the story is loosely autobiographical. Set a decade before her own conversion. If I had known that I may have appreciated the story more.
I really appreciate the work of Cluny Media, they are trying to restore Catholic books, bringing them bac into print in wonderful physical editions and for a few eBooks. They are excellent editions.
Again my overall rating is underwhelmed! It is considered a classic in Catholic fiction, and the author receives rave reviews, But I would not personally recommend it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
March 15, 2023
The first part of a two-part novel. I can't form a final judgement as the story isn't over, but I am very much enjoying it so far. It's a sort of coming of age story about a young man in Norway at the beginning of the twentieth century. Paul's parents are divorced and he lives with his mother, a freethinker. He leaves college and goes into business with a friend after falling in love and beginning an affair with a lower class girl. But she leaves him before they can get married and she marries someone else. The Paul makes an unfortunate marriage with a much younger girl who he doesn't really love. Throughout the book Paul keeps brushing against Catholicism, first through renting a room from a Catholic family and then through a school friend who became a priest and then another school friend who decides to become a Carmelite nun. Paul becomes more and more convinced that the Catholic Church is true and feels drawn to it, but he keeps getting caught up in the busyness of life and tuning it out. I can tell that in the second half his conversion will be completed and I'm curious about how that will turn out. Also at the end of this volume World War One is just beginning and Europe is about to enter a very dark period.
Undset writes so beautifully and convincingly about faith and doubt, skepticism and the yearning for transcendence. The novel isn't preachy or clunky and isn't just a vehicle to evangelize. But Undset is interested in the human reasons people believe what they do and choose how they do. Her characters are people I'm interested in getting to know. Paul sometimes drives me crazy because he makes such poor decisions about relationships and life. Like so many young people.
Undset writes so beautifully and convincingly about faith and doubt, skepticism and the yearning for transcendence. The novel isn't preachy or clunky and isn't just a vehicle to evangelize. But Undset is interested in the human reasons people believe what they do and choose how they do. Her characters are people I'm interested in getting to know. Paul sometimes drives me crazy because he makes such poor decisions about relationships and life. Like so many young people.
September 7, 2019
Not Undset's best work perhaps. Maugham told this story better.
The protagonist ("Paul" haha) is a bit of a drip, falling in love with a rather slow dumpy woman of a lower class who doesn't really return his affections. Then he saves a teenager from death at the hands of a runaway horse-drawn cart of some kind. While recovering from injuries sustained in the feat this country girl believes she's fallen in love with him. Eventually they get married despite having little in common by way of taste or reference points, he being probably some 10 years older than his (legally an adult) child-bride.
Oh and at various points the protagonist encounters the Catholic Church and it makes him momentarily doubt his agnosticism.
I'm going to read the second book since I own it and I want to know how the story ends but I'm not much encouraged by what I've encountered so far.
The protagonist ("Paul" haha) is a bit of a drip, falling in love with a rather slow dumpy woman of a lower class who doesn't really return his affections. Then he saves a teenager from death at the hands of a runaway horse-drawn cart of some kind. While recovering from injuries sustained in the feat this country girl believes she's fallen in love with him. Eventually they get married despite having little in common by way of taste or reference points, he being probably some 10 years older than his (legally an adult) child-bride.
Oh and at various points the protagonist encounters the Catholic Church and it makes him momentarily doubt his agnosticism.
I'm going to read the second book since I own it and I want to know how the story ends but I'm not much encouraged by what I've encountered so far.
April 15, 2025
Hun skriver godt, og jeg liker godt å følge hennes forfatterskap ved å samtidig følge denne leseutfordringen til @deichmantorshov. Jeg føler noen ganger det er litt lettlest, språket er ikke så veldig gammelt og kanskje mer storbypreget og derfor lett å ta inn. Denne boken går mye på hva mange har tillagt manns- og kvinnerollen, og hvordan man håndterer det på ulike steder til ulike tider, og det er givende enda i dag. Jeg får en slags refleksjonover hvor mye som fremdeles sitter igjen i rollene i dag, at vi må kjempe videre for å bli frie, en vakker dag…
August 25, 2021
By far the most loquacious that I’ve seen of Undset. She usually so sparring in her words. Many of the conversations are so real that you feel like an active listener present there. That however, brings the unfortunate consequence that sometimes there are conversations that simply don’t interest you. Most of the book I greatly enjoyed. Parts were a yawn. I’m curious to see how the saga progresses.
January 30, 2023
I am not sure what I expected with this novel, which is the first of two books written, centered around Paul and his family and Catholicism slowly and quite adeptly sliding in. The book is set in the early 1900's so is a big change from her other novels I had read.
I think Sigrid Undset's real gift is making her characters so real and yet not set in stone. One does not read her books quickly and I did not with this one. I will have to read the next volume to see if it was worth it. :)
I think Sigrid Undset's real gift is making her characters so real and yet not set in stone. One does not read her books quickly and I did not with this one. I will have to read the next volume to see if it was worth it. :)
Read
November 7, 2024Jeg fikk anbefalt boka av en prest som kjente til min interesse for katolisismen. Det er forøvrig nå i november 100 år siden Undset ble katolikk. Romanen Hun skrev året etter, Den brennende busken, er en fortsettelse, bokas hovedperson Paul har nemlig ikke rukket å konvertere. 1. verdenskrig blir et viktig bakteppe i neste bok vil jeg tro.
(Leste selvsagt den norske utgaven, men den var ikke registrert i Goodreads)
(Leste selvsagt den norske utgaven, men den var ikke registrert i Goodreads)
May 14, 2022
What Comes Next?
I enjoyed the story. I got the impression that things were lost in translating the Norwegian to Engkish. However, those instances were not enough to distract from the compelling story. It"s ending suggestion that more of the story is to be told for it ends just before the next chapter, a "Who shot J.R.?" like ending from the tv series "Dallas".
I enjoyed the story. I got the impression that things were lost in translating the Norwegian to Engkish. However, those instances were not enough to distract from the compelling story. It"s ending suggestion that more of the story is to be told for it ends just before the next chapter, a "Who shot J.R.?" like ending from the tv series "Dallas".
June 9, 2022
A lot of good quotes about Catholics. I have read her books before but this one, I am afraid didn't go anywhere for me. Perhaps I am missing some big literary point. I persevered to the end.
I found it slow and lacking a end point.
I found it slow and lacking a end point.
August 27, 2024
A well written account of a young man's coming of age in late 19th century/early 20th century Norway and his relationships as well as his search for God. Very well done. I couldn't put it down. However, the ending was left hanging just as WWI began. Can't wait to read Book II.
January 27, 2020
Although I read 5 chapters, I couldn't get into this book; nothing was happening! So I didn't finish it.
Read
February 1, 2023Nog voor ik begonnen ben, heb ik uiteindelijk voor een ander boek van Undset gekozen: "Olav Audunszoon op Hestviken".
Want to read
May 24, 2023Suggestion de M Bettinelli.
Want to read
August 30, 2023I guess I’m getting to that age where if the type is too small I have to give up and look for a different edition.
January 14, 2023
Beautiful and timely but have volume 2 ready to go as this one ends abruptly. I didn’t realize it was only the first part of a longer novel.
March 11, 2023
What a fantastic story. Paul Selmer was raised as a freethinker and ends up as a deep thinker. He falls and he struggles and he lets his desires rule his will at times. But he thinks so deeply. His thoughts don’t always result in action though.
This book made me think more deeply about my own way I look at the world. What am I living for and how do my choices reflect that reality? Paul asks for for faith and he asks for more of the Lord. Let me ask for that! And desire it!
This book made me think more deeply about my own way I look at the world. What am I living for and how do my choices reflect that reality? Paul asks for for faith and he asks for more of the Lord. Let me ask for that! And desire it!
May 3, 2023
As others have said not her best but still her very human characters are what has drawn me to read her ,and the wonderful landscapes of Norway she depicted.Still interesting enough to want to read part 2 of the novel The Burning Bush.
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