Saga of Saints

by Sigrid Undset, E.C. Ramsden (Translator)

Sigrid Undset’s renown is almost exclusively the fruit of her masterworks of historical fiction, Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken . And justly so—for they achieve that hallmark of their authenticity . Saga of Saints , the account of Christianity’s introduction into Norway and those responsible for defending its development, shows the inspiration for that authenticity. From her magnificent opening essay, “The Coming of Christianity to Norway,” on through the stories of Sunniva, King Olav, and Eystein (and others), Undset proves herself a resourceful historian of both events and ideas. As the product of Undset’s patriotic piety and native talent for storytelling, Saga of Saints is—in the words of her biographer A. H. Winsnes—“remarkable for her sure critical sense in the treatment of sources and, above all, for her ability to judge men and their conduct in relation to the age and society in which they lived.” During the ruinous years of World War II, Undset once “It takes more than a little while to part a nation from its history, and silence all the voices from a people’s past.” From its first appearance in 1934 to now, Saga of Saints has borne out this truth, evidencing the permanence of the past and the power of saintly witness as a fulcrum of civilization.

Genres: Christianity, Religion

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Sigrid 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.

Reviews

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norwegian Saints' lives from St. Olav up through Father Karl Schilling (19th c.). The early ones (Olav, not to be confused with Olav Tryggveson) were more about beating paganism than applying Christian theology, which I appreciated seeing acknowledged. Additionally, I was surprised that Hallvard was sainted/martyred simply for trying to help a pregnant woman accused of theft- it's not clear that he was particularly Christian, just a decent human being.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book of all the saints of Norway and its possessions. It's very interesting. While she is known in Norway, I first discovered the story of St. Sunniva in Saga of Saints.