Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Kristin Lavransdatter is a historical novel by Sigrid Undset. It is a trilogy consisting of The Wreath, The Wife, and The Cross.

The story follows the life of Kristin Lavransdatter, a fictitious Norwegian woman of the 14th century. The trilogy chronicles her relationships with her parents and husband in medieval Norway while painting a detailed picture of the social conventions and political and religious undercurrents of the period.

This work led its author Sigrid Undset to earn the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928, which stated the reason as "principally for her powerful descriptions of Nothern life during the Middle Ages".

Sigrid Undset (20 May 1882 - 10 June 1949) was a Norwegian-Danish novelist. She is notably known for her novels set in the Middle Ages in Norway such as Kristin Lavransdatter, 4-volume Olav Audunssøn, and Gunnar's Daughter.

Although Undset is best known for Kristin Lavransdatter, she wrote 36 books of which medieval novels were only a part. The other part comprises contemporary novels set in Oslo between the turn of the century to 1930, literary essays, and historical articles.

This is fairly a long book. Who will be in for this read?

I'll join in for this read, looking forward to it.

My in-person book group read this almost 30 years ago. We still talk about how good it was. I think it’s past time for a re-read. I’l join after I finish a couple of library books.

Welcome, Gilbert and Annette!

I'll be joining this one too, Piyangie - I have volume 1 on order.

I just picked it up at the library the other day, a real brick of 907 pages. I will be reading the three novels in my native language, Danish.

I read these a few years ago and loved all the books.

I have owned this book for the longest time so feel the time is right to read it.

Welcome John, Anne, and Penelope!

Glad of the interest you all have shown in reading it. I'm not sure if I have room enough accomodate a long read at present. But I hope all of you who are reading will enjoy it. I'm looking forward to all your comments.

I read this recently enough to discuss it. I am looking forward to sharing this tremendous novel with others.

I am also waiting for book 1. Should get it in about 2 weeks.

Glad to hear you're joining in as well Lorraine. Welcome!

How do you guys go about these trilogy books - do you find each single novel and put them as to read, or just the gathered trilogy? In case of the latter, you only get one book registered towards your reading goal, but in principle you'll have read three 👀

I hope my question makes sense!

Generally, when reading trilogies, I shelve books individually, and not one book containing all. I prefer that way because I'd like to review them individually.

Anne wrote: "How do you guys go about these trilogy books - do you find each single novel and put them as to read, or just the gathered trilogy? In case of the latter, you only get one book registered towards y..."

Same as Piyangie. I shelves them individually.

I shelve them individually as well.

Welcome, Jade! From your enthusiasm, I assume you've greatly enjoyed the first two books. :)

Has anyone begun reading?

Not yet for me, although I have now received my copy of volume 1.

I also received book 1 yesterday. I hope to start this weekend. Need to finish another book first.

I'm up to the second book: "The Wife" Part One - The Fruit of Sin.
Very interesting look at medieval times in the country of Norway. It's more so because I'm also reading :The Tale of Genji which is a totally different culture taking place around the same time period halfway around the world.

Jade wrote: "I did:):)! The author had wanted to be a painter at one point and decided to pick being a writer, so her writing style is very picturesque and characters clearly expressed like you know them."

I did not know that Jade! Very interesting how she turned her desire to be a visual artist into words!

I'm starting the third book in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Gets more interesting as I read further into her life story.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the trilogy, Gilbert.

Finished Kristin Lavransdatter.Enjoyed 14th century Norway and its look at life.
Also finished, but not part of the read, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu.
Will be starting tomorrow my JUne - JUly JUmbo: Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson (1,646 pages).

Gilbert wrote: "Finished Kristin Lavransdatter.Enjoyed 14th century Norway and its look at life.
Also finished, but not part of the read, The Tale of Genji..."

Well done, Gilbert!

Gilbert wrote: "Finished Kristin Lavransdatter.Enjoyed 14th century Norway and its look at life.
Also finished, but not part of the read, The Tale of Genji..."

Good for you! I have only read book 1 for now. How did you find the Tale of the Genji? It is on my list for August…

Genji was very interesting in terms of the detail of life in 11th century Japan. The detail of color, clothing, poetry, music, and relationships is captivating. The titles given to people are, at least to me, I found somewhat humourous.
I will say, be prepared for your hands and forearms to get stronger because this isn't a physically small volume. If you may have read Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady, you'll get the idea.

I listened to the 45 hour! recording of the Tiina Nunnally translation back in 2019 and I have to say that I had trouble with both Erin Bennett's reading and Tiina Nunnally's translation in the beginning, but a few hours in, I got used to both. Someday, if there is enough time left in my life to read it again, I would like to pick up the Archer translation and see if I like the more archaic translation better. But for now, I feel like I can award myself a gold star for spending 45 hours of my life with Kristin. And trust me, she can be a very frustrating person to spend time with!

Kristin Lavransdatter is a beautiful book and kudos to Sigrid Undset for educating and thoroughly enveloping me in the Norway of medieval times.

Karen wrote: "I listened to the 45 hour! recording of the Tiina Nunnally translation back in 2019 and I have to say that I had trouble with both Erin Bennett's reading and Tiina Nunnally's translation in the beg..."

I'm not fond of these books, so abstained since I can't imagine rereading this when there are so many other books out there :)

Karen wrote: "I listened to the 45 hour! recording of the Tiina Nunnally translation back in 2019 and I have to say that I had trouble with both Erin Bennett's reading and Tiina Nunnally's translation in the beg..."

Wow, what a feat, Karen! I wouldn't have the patience to go through a 45 hour listen.

Almost done with the first book - this is taking longer than I thought - but I blame not reading as much as I used to in general, as well as always having been a slow reader 😅

Seems sad she was so self blaming in the Arne/Bentein incident, and then afterwards gives herself away so easily, almost without thinking about her own position in society 🤔 but I guess medieval teenagers could be headless too 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think it's a good read and a good story, I can definitely see the picturesque language you guys were talking about!

Take it slow, Anne. What's important is that you're enjoying it. The thread will be kept open and you're welcome to share your thoughts as you progress through the story.

We're reading the works of Sigrid Undset in our Authors from Around the World folder during July and August.

Please feel free to post any comments there as well as here!

Just finished Volume 1, The Wreath - what an ending! So many themes going on in this book, not just the obvious history-factual ones.

I do understand why Karen would choose "frustrating" as it's the perfect word to describe Kristin's character. I think it stems from both her parents 🫣

Finished the second book. Being from Denmark, it's interesting to see the ties to Scandinavian/Danish history about royalty and political intrigue at the time. I look forward to see what happens in the third book.

And can I just add, how grateful I am to have been born in the 1980's as opposed to the 1300's 😳 the view on and status of women in those times, holy smokes. And the limitations of the religious beliefs, how they add to people's suffering rather than be a respite. Unimaginable.

I read this years ago and I definitely would like to re-read it sometime.It took me into a other time and place a me really feel Kristin!