So well written and thought provoking, but the plot and the subtlety of the writing make it difficult to follow. Kristin drives me nuts with her illogical attitude and choices. I can see how it’s a classic but as of now it isn’t one that I love.

The second of a trilogy, the writing continues to be amazing! Descriptions are so vivid, of the surroundings, of the people and their thoughts, and of relationships. Following Kristin through the time of raising her children and dealing with Erlend’s absence from Husaby, but also having admiration for his bravery and leadership.

Kristin has to consider the consequences of the choices she has made as they affect her and her children, but also dealings with properties and finally with her relationship with Simon Darre after he marries her sister.

This novel was a grand continuation of the story of Kristin Lavransdatter’s life and it is rich, complex, and beautiful!

Highly recommended!

I enjoyed it. I think I loved the first book better. I got a little lost at times in all the names and kings and countries, etc.
But I've hear the 3rd is great...so I will press on!

The progression of Kristin’s daily life as Erlend’s wife and the mistress of Husaby was fascinating to me. I think this second book in the series did a good job of recounting her childhood as the foundation of her current life, while also giving a realistic picture of the choices she made in her adolescence that are still affecting her day-to-day (i.e. her choice of husband, her denial of Lavrans will for her, etc.) The scene where Lavrans speaks with Ragnifrid before his passing was so precious. This book has one of the best literary examples of godly parents that I’ve seen.

I have to admit that this saga is just not doing it for me. I like plenty of books that have multiple strands of things going on. But Kristin's faith journey still seems unconvincing to me (perhaps I can't fully appreciate it because I'm a Protestant?). She's supposedly all about being a mother, but other than extended nursing, I don't see her actually mothering, and her sons are brats, so I find that aspect of the story uncompelling. Erland's weak morality is just as reprehensible as in book 1. Her loyalty to him when he's been imprisoned because his mistress reported his treason is inexplicable to me. The political machinations are unfamiliar to me because I don't know medieval Norwegian history, but I have read plenty of medieval-feeling fantasy and can follow a treasonous plot when it's well-written, even without any prior historical knowledge, so I think I just find that whole aspect of the story disappointing. Simon is the only person whose feelings I care about at this point, and I don't think there's any way for things to go better for him. Maybe book 3 will tie it all together for me, but 696 pages into this story, I'm still totally at a loss that many friends with whom I share a common taste in books so adore this one.

Sigrid Undset's trilogy of Kristin Lavransdatter is one of the best reads in my shelves. Unfortunately I have read only two books, the second and the third. At the time when I was reading the third book, I had difficulties understanding the English and the names of the figures portrayed. However, there is one name that will never depart from my memory and that is Erlend Nikulausson, the husband of Kristin Lavransdatter. He is a man emotionally detached from the people around him. He is also very high handed. He is desctibed as a man who should never be judged by what he says but by what he does. True, he hates his first son for causing his mother a lot of pain during child birth. He kills the boy who is in love with her daughter Margret, a relationship he highly dissaproves.

The only balance in Erlend's life is Kristin, who is the opposite of what he is. She is kind and patient. She is also very sensitive and difficult to forgive. This is a wonderful novel.

Book 2 - “The Wife” - the second part of the 3 book series “Kristin Lavransdatter”

Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off. Kristin just married Erland (the flawed character she was passionately in love with, much to the dismay of her parents who had previously betrothed her to the honorable Simon Anderson) and is traveling by boat back to Erland’s estate at Husaby.

As the story begins, Kristin is concealing the fact that she is already pregnant with their first child. She arrives at the estate to find it in total disarray. Erland had been living the bachelor life for a long time and while the estate is grand and sprawling, it has not been kept up with. Kristin sees she will have her work cut out for her in fixing up Husaby.

Erland is beyond happy with his new wife until he realizes that she has been keeping a secret from him for several months. He is then full of embarrassment when he realizes their first child will ge born “6 months too soon.” Their first child is a boy. Both she and Erland seek confession and penance for the great sin they have committed.

As part of Kristin’s penance, she must make a long arduous journey alone (with the newborn) to confess her sin to an archbishop. On her journey she runs into Simon, the man she was originally supposed to marry. In a brief but friendly exchange she learns that Simon’s sister was guilty of the same sin. Nevertheless, Kristin continues her journey to the archbishop seeking reconciliation.

The story moves forward and back at Husaby, Kristin and Erland have more children, all boys, including a set of twins. In all, they have seven sons.

Because Kristin and Erland live further from her family in Jørenguard, it takes much time to send news from one place to the other. At one point, they receive news that Kristin’s youngest sister will be getting married. Kristin and her family make the journey back to Jørenguard to spend an extended amount of time with her parents and family for the wedding.

As the book progresses, there are times when the story turns to the point of view of Kristin’s father, Lavrans and his wife Rangfreid. While Lavrans struggles with the betrayal of his favorite daughter (Kristin) as everyone realizes she was pregnant before her wedding, he examines his own conscience and finds a way to forgive the transgressions of Kristin and her husband and eventually he even has a genuine liking for Erland.

Lavrans becomes older and knows he will die soon. There is some beautiful dialogue between him and his wife as they recall their 34 years of marriage and the life they had together. He has a long period of time to prepare Kristin for his death and he has a very heartwarming meeting with both of his sons-in-law about how he would like to see things with his family after his own death.

Around the time Lavrans is dying, Kristin gives birth to her 6th son. She and Erland name him after Lavrans. Kristin’s younger sister, Ramborg, and her husband live near Jørenguard so they continue to look after the estate after Lavrans dies. Kristin and her family travel back to Husaby, where life goes on.

Erland spends much time traveling and attending to business while Kristin manages the estate and the children. Throughout the story Kristin is struck with grief at the loss of her father, her mother, and her stepson. She struggles as a stepmother in trying to offer advice to her husband regarding his oldest daughter.

The book is full of broken characters who do broken things. Kristin is especially stubborn and not quick to forgive. She and Erland gave typical marital arguments, but some conflict is deeper than you’d expect. After having time for thought though, they always find their way to forgiveness.

Towards the end of the book, Erland is accused of treason and locked up for over a year. Kristin is distraught with the thought that her husband may be killed. It is only then that she accepts some of the blame for the quarrels they have had over the years and she fully forgives Erland for everything. Kristin’s brother in law comes to help during the time Erland is locked up. He and some other men work diligently to convince the king to release Erland.

I haven’t kept count, but there are now at least 100 characters intertwined in this great story. I feel as though I am watching a complete life story unfold and rather than just seeing the highlights of the story, I get to see everything - the deep sorrows, the arrogance and stubbornness, the blatant disrespect and the little mistakes these people make, as well as their joys, passion, and love. The story is so real, which is why it is so appealing. The map at the front of the book has been very helpful to understand the journeys the characters make and where they live in relation to each other. The notes at the end of the book are abundant, and explain the traditions, the history, and the “jargon” that is used throughout the story. I never gave any thought to what Norway must have been like in the 1300’s but after reading the first 2 books of this series I am already convinced that I “missed out” by not being a part of this place and time. I am very much looking forward to reading the third and final book, but I’m also sad knowing that the story will be ending.

“There is no worthier work for the person who has been graced with the ability to see even a small part of God's mercy than to serve Him and to keep vigil and to pray for those people whose sight is still clouded by the shadow of worldly matters.” p 248

Kristin said quietly, "It seems to me that it would be easier to watch over and pray for those who are asleep out in the world than to struggle with one's own sins."
"That may be," said the priest sharply. "But you mustn't believe, Kristin, that there has ever been a priest who has not had to guard himself against the Fiend at the same time as he tried to protect the lambs from the wolf." p 151-2

I simply can’t stand Kristen

The second of a three-book series. This one is similar to the first. Mostly discusses the Catholic church and its hold on the people, as well as bringing political issues into play. I am less and less enamored with the protagonist, Kristen Lavransdatter, as the series progresses. I understand that Undset is trying to write believeable characters that have good and bad qualities, but Kristen doesn't come across as believable to me. She jumps from being unrealistically smitten with her husband to hating him. This back and forth, back and forth behavior is annoying. She come across as unstable.

Her husband is static. No matter what happens to him he never learns anything from it. He's either the most shallow person ever to draw breath or he's mentally challenged. Either way it goes, he's not one I'm interested in.

Part 2 in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, finds Kristin and Erlend finally married and settling into the previously neglected Husaby estate. The marriage has a rocky start when it is clearly evident that Kristin and Erlend have sinned against the church and shamed themselves by conceiving before their wedding night. While Erlend takes the matter to heart, making amends to the church and vowing to stay faithful to Kristin, it does takes its toll on the couple and especially the extremely pious Kristin. Kristin does starts to put everything in order, has 7 sons and manages the estate while Erlend begins to repair his reputation in the community being named sheriff and sent to guard the northern lands by sea. He looks out for the community from attacks from foreign intruders and each other but also takes it further in an attempt to protect from the current leaders causing problems.

The writing is beautiful. The history is so well researched and detailed on the everyday life of that time in the home and the effects of politics and religion. Sadly, the book was a bit of a slog for me as I found Kristin so miserable. Her wallowing in the way their relationship started and punishment of Erlend for it goes beyond reasonable so much that even her father and the priests try to intervene. I appreciate the understanding of how important social norms and the church laws were at that time but it was hard to read over and over.

These are remarkable books. I had slightly mixed feelings about this second part of the trilogy, a frustration with Kristin and Erlend and with some of the religiosity of the story, although that is in keeping with the period setting.