Kristin Lavransdatter is the story story of a warm and determined woman. I cannot stop to think that what is The Lord of the Rings for boys is this book for girls. Unfortunately the resemblance stops here, as this novel is not so much known today, and the movie set on the book was far from Peter Jackson's masterpiece.
Undset’s writing is fluid and beautifully, and reveals the wild countryside of Norway in the 14th century, with a carefully depicted immersion in the day-to-day life, social, political and religious of conventions the period.
Kristin is a powerful character, and a compelling portrait of a unique individual in her historical and social context — that thinks and lives in the future of its own historical period, still being able to survive in that context. It is the story of one woman from childhood to death, through betrothal and an illicit affair, marriage and motherhood. It is a beautiful story.

These three books are exquisite. I don't know what to do now, for these characters have been my companions since February. I'm emotionally hung over and will be thinking about this story for a long time to come. I'd like to re-read it this winter knowing what I know now.

I have so many thoughts about Kristin. At times I had such compassion towards her. At times I was frustrated with her. She is SO raw and real as are all the characters.

I LOVED learning about Norway in the Middle Ages.

Sigrid Undset is an amazing writer and I will be reading more of her books.

I feel this review is very inadequate.

I just bought this book with money and later I am going to read it with my eyes and brain.

Wow. I will be mourning over finishing this book, for a very long time I think. Giving it a 5 star rating seems so inadequate.

This book has shot straight to the top of my list of all time favorite novels. I have so many thoughts about this masterpiece. I don't have the time right now to put my thoughts in an orderly fashion - so here they are VERY randomly and I know that it won't do this novel justice, but here they are nevertheless:

* The single most exquisite work on the topic of motherhood that I have EVER read. The author captures the heroines thoughts and feelings regarding motherhood MOST perfectly. This book is worth reading for this theme alone. It brought tears to my eyes so many times. For me, it was the central theme.

* I know that not everyone will agree with me on this, but I feel strongly that Kristin's life was portrayed as a woman's/ mother's Pilgrim's Progress. The novel depicts the lifelong struggle of the Christian life... ending with a sacrifice of love.
Her progress was so real and authentic and relate-able. I would not have enjoyed it as much, has Kristin been a more perfect Christian throughout her entire life. It was the upward journey that captivated me.

* The theme of restraint was woven throughout. I felt that this was such a virtue of Kristin as a mother - she often had the restraint to let things left unsaid to her children and husband. Not always though - she showed a lack of restraint many times but the author always showed the consequence for this lack of restraint.

* Romans 8:28 kept ringing through my head throughout the novel. Instead of marrying the sensible and wise young man that her father chose for her, Kristin marries a man who has more pride than wisdom (and whom she dearly loved) and in many ways, she pays dearly for that choice. But "all things work together for good". This actually would be a wonderful novel for young women to read.

* A powerful theme of loyalty, friendship and kinship was present. Friendship and loyalty so strong and fierce that it made me catch my breath at times.

* I loved learning about 14th century Norway!!! The historical aspect of this novel was very well done. Apparently Sigrid Undset was very well educated in Norse culture and medieval literature.

* Likewise, I also loved learning about 14th century burgeoning Christianity.... complete with lingering superstitions...

I wish every woman could read this jewel. So lovely. This audio book kept me company on my commutes to and from work for the last 5 months. I will miss these characters deeply.

An impressive undertaking. I can't believe this hasn't yet been turned into a TV series--it's like three seasons of a period piece with so much content, drama, and simple truth, already all written.

CONTENT WARNING (a list of topics) : sexual assault, rape, loss of a child, long illness, loss of loved ones, adultery, domestic violence.

Things that were wondrous:

-The scope. This is the full life of a woman as a character study. In that study, all the lives she touches are also examined. She is not a woman who was any sort of firebrand but a normal woman in 14th century Norway, but her thoughts, concerns, joys and sorrows, what makes her unique are all very clearly written. You can feel exactly what it's like to have been this person.

-The secret life. This book was written in the 1920s about women who had sex for pleasure, about resenting being a wife and mother, unrequited love and all sorts of very delicate subjects that we struggle to discuss today. There's even a man who is meant to be gay! I was very impressed with the honesty of well-rounded characters.

-The style. I would not have assumed this was written 100 years ago. It all still felt like what I think many authors wish they could accomplish now.

Things that I didn't care for:

-Kristin. Unfortunately, I didn't like the person whose life we followed! Girlfriend is a drama queen. When everything is going well, she's abusive, cruel, and whiny. But the second her man knocks someone out for her or has his head in a noose, she's all "oh, baby, you know I love you, I'll die without you!" Ugh. The difference between high literature and a season of Maury seems to be time period it is about and written during, and long dresses.

-The contemplation. Oh my word we really linger on a lot of things, and one of those things is religion and sin. You'll hear about the first quarter of this book for the entirety of it. I was sort of surprised to see this much detail about these subjects, given how long it took to write a book at the time. You'd think there might be a bit of paraphrasing, but nope. The author was really committed to the bit.

I can see why it has received so many accolades. A really staggering undertaking with extremely nuanced discussions. But it's also a hefty series with enough melodrama for even the most voracious. If you liked Vikings or Downton Abbey, you need this book. If you don't care for shows like that, move along.

This book is hard to review because it is heart wrenching and frustrating but yet beautifully written. I am conflicted with how the storyline went and the last chapter of the trilogy redeemed it.

Just wonderful. Listened to the 45 hour Audible version and pretty much loved every bit it. Such a deep character study in a historical setting that was so true to life and human nature. Amazing.

A slog of a book with brilliant landscape and historical descriptions, but frustratingly tiresome with paragraph after paragraph of catholic guilt and marital dissatisfaction. Too many unnecessary characters and little to no development. I kept hoping at some point it would all be worth it, but the ending felt like the author was just as tired of the whole endeavor as I was. In short, reading this felt like walking for miles in deep snow. The landscapes were lovely but the destination was not worth the effort.

La Corona Vol.1

Este primer volumen de la trilogía de Cristina, Hija de Lavrans que se podría traducir como "La Corona" o "La Corona Nupcial" comienza cuando Cristina tiene siete años y la seguimos durante su infancia y adolescencia hasta su matrimonio con Erlend. En este aspecto es una novela que me ha recordado mucho otra, Barro y cenizas de Zoé Oldenbourg, en el sentido de que recrea históricamente toda una época medieval a través de la vida de una mujer. Cristina crece rodeada del amor de su padre , Lavrans, de quién siempre se ha sentido muy cerca, al contrario de su madre, Ragnfrid, por la que sabremos al final del volumen de dónde le viene ese carácter tan agrio y esa distancia con su hija.

"Comprendía que era una gran incorrección que su madre echara de la granja a su hermano. Y por primera vez sospechaba que había en su madre algo que no era como debía...algo que la hacia distinta a las demás".

Es una novela que puede engañar en un principio porque aunque parece una especie de culebrón sobre la vida de Cristina donde no escasea precisamente el aburrimiento: hay algún asesinato, amorios prohibidos, conventos y celos, en ningún momento se la puede tachar de una obra superficial, todo lo contrario. La novela que aquí escribe Sigrid Undset es muy compleja en muchos sentidos, sobre todo en el encorsetamiento de la mujer medieval en una sociedad profundamente religiosa, católica concretamente, y la autora narra de maravilla como Cristina se intenta rebelar del papel que se espera de ella, porque en un principio se niega a casarse con el hombre que sus padres eligen para ella, y la autora en ningún momento idealiza ni romantiza su vida.

“ -¿No comprendes que ahora tiene autorida absoluta sobre ella, él, que jamás ha sabido gobernarse? ¿Y no ves que a ella le será dificil hallar el valor suficiente para oponerse a nada de lo que quiere su marido…?”

En todo momento tanto la autora a través de su personaje cuestiona el mundo en el que vive, sobre todo el relacionado con la mujer como cero a la izquierda y por supuesto hace ver que al igual que el hombre, la mujer tenía también necesidades sexuales, aunque se quisiera hacer ver lo contrario. Y así y todo, Cristina se las va arreglando para tomar sus decisiones aunque sean erróneas.

“ Yo no me rebajaré a quejarme a Erlend, haga lo que haga después. Yo misma elegí un camino salvaje y ni gemiré ni me lamentaré si ello me hace caer en el precipicio".

Sigrid Undset que ganó el premio Nobel en 1928, y que escribió esta obra en 1927, es una autora a la que no conocía pero me ha sorprendido mucho esa forma de contarnos la vida de Cristina, casi como si fuera una chica de ahora. Si que la novela es todo un viaje a través de la Noruega medieval, que en aquella época era todavía católica, pero era un catolicismo que se mezclaba con supersticiones y paganismos, así que continuamente vemos en los personajes una especie de obsesión por redimirse de lo que ellos consideraban “pecados”, porque había un eterno conflicto entre el los deseos y la vida “terrenal”, y las obligaciones “religiosas”, especialmente en lo que se esperaba de las mujeres.

En fin, es una novela que he disfrutado muchísimo y si una televisión la conviertiera en serie, aquí habría material más que suficiente para varias temporadas. Atacaré el segundo volumen de la trilogia ya...

“ -¡Qué rara estás, Cristina! -murmuró Erlend mientras bailaban – Me das miedo, Cristina…; ¿es que no eres feliz?”

https://kansasbooks.blogspot.com/2020...

La Mujer Vol. 2

Segundo volumen de la trilogia en torno a Cristina, Hija de Lavrans. Como ya comenté en el primer volumen transcurre en el siglo XIV en una Noruega, sumergida en una ola de cambios sociales y económicos dónde la religión, en este caso la católica, jugaba un papel primordial.

Cristina es un personaje que ya aquí en esta segunda parte, casada con Erlend, se convierte en la señora de Husaby, y casi sin respiro comienza a traer hijos al mundo, lo que resulta agotador para el lector, porque llegado un punto, se pierde entre tanto nacimiento. Erlend, el marido de Cristina, de quién se vaticinaba que no podría ser el marido ideal a juzgar por varios momentos en la primera parte, no resulta tan malo como se esperaba pero sin embargo, tampoco resulta un matrimonio perfecto porque la mayoria de las responsabilidades descansan sobre los hombros de Cristina. Ademas, el personaje de Cristina, la gran protagonista, es a veces contradictorio y ambiguo; ella que tiene mucha personalidad y fortaleza depende emocionalmente completamente de Erlend y casi nunca llega a tomar decisiones por si misma, aunque si que tiene momentos de rebelión personal, pero le duran poco. Debido a la enorme influencia de la religión en sus vidas, Cristina vive obsesionada por sus pecados (pecados que ahora nos parecerían irrisorios) y por redimirse; quizás sea uno de los puntos más débiles para mi de estas novelas, demasiado análisis en torno a la religión y la fe, pero claro que históricamente es esencial para entender la época, ya que todo giraba en torno a ella.

"-¿Habeís creido todo lo que los sacerdotes os dijeron sobre el pecado cuando erais soltera?"

Aunque este segundo volumen me ha gustado, el primero en torno a Cristina de niña y adolescente me gustó más porque continuamente estaban ocurriendo cosas; en este segundo volumen a veces el personaje de Erlend parece un lastre que no deja avanzar a Cristina, a la que como dije antes, a veces no entiendo por lo contradictorio de sus arranques y por esa obsesión insalvable relacionada con sus pecados de juventud en lo referido al sexo. Es cierto que la novela tiene un ritmo más pausado también porque el personaje de Cristina está entrando en la vida adulta con lo cual Sigrid Undset pone el ritmo de la novela a disposición de la vida que lleva Cristina en esta etapa de su vida.

Donde esta autora brilla más es en sus descripciones de la vida en la Noruega de la época y sobre todo en las descripciones de la naturaleza contrapuesta a los estados de ánimo de sus personajes.

"Varias horas después de que se hiciera de noche, cuando entraron a caballo en el patio de Formo, el viento silbaba en las esquinas de la casa, el rio tronaba, y de la montaña llegaba un ruido fuerte y confuso. El patio parecía un marjal esponjoso que ahogaba el ruido de los cascos de los caballos. Aquel sábado por la noche, víspera de fiesta, no se veía signo de vida en la enorma granja; ni gente, ni perros, no parecían haber oído su llegada".

En resumidas cuentas, una segunda parte de la trilogia que ahonda en la vida de Cristina, pero que también me ha dejado algo agotada ;-).

https://kansasbooks.blogspot.com/2020...

La Cruz Vol.3

Tercera y última entrega de la trilogia de Cristina Lavransdatter donde somos testigos de los últimos años de Cristina, una madurez muy distinta a su vida anterior y aquí la autora vuelve a adaptar el tono de su estilo a ese ocaso de una vida; Cristina hasta ahora luminosa, activa y entregada viviendo la vida en toda su amplitud y ya con sus hijos mayores, alejados con nietos que ni siquiera conoce por la distancia, se encuentra más sola que nunca.

Es un último volumen donde te sientes más cerca que nunca de ella porque ya la conoces íntimamente con sus virtudes y defectos y sabes que la recompensa a toda una vida de entrega, no es la justa, pero incluso habiéndome gustado muchísimo esta obra mastodóntica, he seguido perdiéndome entre sus siete hijos, a veces tenía la impresión de que no controlaba sus idas y venidas. Hay un poso de tristeza, de amarga distancia entre sus hijos y ella ya mayores y esa injusta soledad en el final de su vida es quizás lo que más me ha impresionado y lo que más me demuestra la universalidad de lo que cuenta aquí Sigrid Undset: la vejez en soledad.

Me ha parecido una obra magnífica donde se cuenta la vida de una mujer de bandera en todas sus etapas y a medida que avanzas, (Kristin, un personaje luminoso pero también con sus sombras), vas conociendo cada vez mejor su interior y su alma de mujer atormentada por ciertos hechos del pasado. El final es abrumador en cierta forma, lo que hace grande y universal esta trilogía.

"- Cristina, mi señora, ¿aún no sabes que pueden ocurrir cosas que tú no has pedido ni ordenado? Ya veo que no te das cuenta, ni siquiera después de tantas ocasiones como has tenido, de que no tienes derecho a lleva sola el peso con el que cargas a tus espaldas".

El bosque de pinos murmura sobre sus cabezas, el estruendo del agua en la costa se acercaba y alejaba según el capricho del viento. Era noche cerrada en el sendero.

Al poco tiempo Ulf dijo:

-No es la primera ez qu te sigo, Cristina, cuando sales de noche, ¿No es natural que te acompañe esta vez también?

(...)

-Creo, amigo, que siempre me has juzgado con más indulgencia de la que merecía, con lo que tú sabías de mi vida".

https://kansasbooks.blogspot.com/2020...

Most of the way through the first book of this trilogy I found myself second-guessing my commitment to 1,144 pages. As I stuck with the characters, it seemed like their interior lives and dialogs deepened as the characters matured. I wasn't sure if this due to the development of the author's writing skills or if this was a conscious choice of the author. I was glad I stuck with the book. I enjoyed the window into medieval life in Scandinavia. One theme I especially noticed in this first reading was the exploration of guilt as a motivating factor in the shaping of lives and relationships.

This 1144 pg chunker is FINISHED!

TLDR: 3.75 rounded to 4 stars

This may not be the most comprehensive review, but this huge book needs to broken down into the trilogy that it is in order to arrive at some semblance of a rating. OVERALL, Beautiful writing and descriptions, sometimes a bit too much when there are a few flashbacks/memories explained.

I knew going into this book(s) that it would be ABOUT Kristin Lavransdatter. I try not to read too much going into books because I hate spoilers and it seems publishers tell a whole lot more about the plot than they used to when there was no internet when I was growing up. :D When I added this book to my TBR list, I had read a small blurb, saw I was interested and added it. Then I read no more about it. When a few online friends wanted to join me in a readalong this summer, we started in June with 1 chapter a day Mon-Fri with the weekend used to catch up if needed.

Book 1 was a RIDE! I knew that this whole story was Nordic but I didn't realize how medieval it would feel. I LOVED every minute of it! KL has the feel of Follett's Pillars of the Earth series (but without the explicit content (which I skipped a paragraph here and there to get through in Pillars)). We start KL's life as a little girl and watch as she grows into a young teen of marriage age. She has an overwhelming love for her father and we are let into details of her parents' marriage and how that effects KL's thoughts and feelings as well as we learn of their religious beliefs mixed with quite a bit of paganism. The the end of this book, you were trying to catch your breath! Almost every chapter felt like a cliffhanger and kept me wanting more. Rating this book: 4.5 stars.

Book 2 was totally different! The pacing of this book slows Waaaayyyyyyyy down. You almost feel whiplash from the way the "brakes" are applied. We see KL and the next part of her life as it unfolds. There was a section that had me a bit bored because of some political type incident happening and was explained far more than I cared to read, but there were also SO many times where I was so nervous for KL as she is giving birth or finding out she is expecting; or if the baby would live; if some disease would pop up to kill people in their area, etc, etc. There were frustrating sections because you would want to shake a few characters to their senses now and then. Rating this book: 4 stars.

Book 3 was similar to Book 2 in pacing and we move on to the next part of KL's life with grown children. This was my least favorite book of the three. Being a mother of grown children, I was able to relate to KL in wanting the best for her children, yet also wanting to hold on to them so tightly and keep them from the mistakes you made as you grew to adulthood. We see KL make a major life decision which brings her some redemption from mistakes she has made. As a reader and a Christian, it was sad but also KL was relatable in how we give our sins over to God yet continue to "take them back" and feel guilty all over again when the Lord has forgiven and because of the blood of Jesus doesn't see those sins any more. Rating for this book: 3.5 stars

Averaging my scores of 4.5, 4 and 3.5 would average to 4 stars. My 4star rating usually means "YOU NEED TO READ THIS! HIGHLY recommend" but with this book I can't give a general 4 star, so 3.75 rounded is where I land. I think the reasons some may not like this book are: 1. the length is offputting for some; 2. the time period this book is set in may not be to everyone's taste and 3. The characters can be SO frustrating in their decision-making that it will turn some readers off.

Hopefully, I've given you some reasons to give this book a try if it is your cup of tea. I don't think I will read this book again in the future, but I'm glad I did have the experience of reading this and I'll be looking for more books in this time period/setting.

This is considered a great work of literature, and Ms. Undset received the Nobel prize. Despite these indisputable facts, this just did not work for me--I don't know why. I was very caught up in the story at the beginning and on the edge of my seat wondering if Kristen would get caught with Erland or if she would marry him before her condition became obvious. Reading about her grappling with life as a new wife and mother is also interesting. As the story progresses, though, my interest waned. There are long passages with no action.

It's almost like reading a diary written by a narrator--the story seems to have no purpose. We follow Kristen throughout her life, its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its moments of drama and its day-to-day monotony. We feel her fears, worries, dreams, and ambitions. Her love for her family and her religious faith are the only overarching threads. I guess I couldn't fit this comfortably onto a plot graph--what is the main conflict? Her moments of doubt in her faith?

Ultimately, I felt like I was reading the biography of someone who hadn't really accomplished anything of moment. I know that I have read this wrong and have completely missed the point, but this is just how I feel at the end of this massive book. I'm giving it three stars because I did like quite a lot of it, but I was just so ready for it to be over by the end.