Customer Reviews

The Bridal Wreath: Kristin Lavransdatter, Vol.1

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My father and sister have been after me for years to read this trilogy and I am so glad I finally did. I have been an avid reader all my life and have read many different types of books, but I have always wondered how I would answer the question "what is your all-time favorite book?" Now I know. You care about all the characters, you feel their emotions and I for one am grateful to be living in the 20th century, not 14th century Norway after the incredibly vivid descriptions bring the period to life in an unforgettable way. So much more than a love story, it is the saga of the age old struggle to survive, emotionally and physically. A wonderful book.

I think the three volumes that make up Kristin Lavransdatter rank with the world's greatest novels--including Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. The depth of the characterizations, the completeness with which the author captures life in medieval Norway, and the universal emotions and spiritual and temporal struggles which drive Kristin and those around her are unmatched. I have read these three volumes three times (at about decade long intervals) and each time have found new reasons to love and appreciate them. This is a book against which one can mark one's own life.

This translation is difficult--difficult to read without gagging, that is. It's extremely stilted and affected. Every sentence reads something like this:

"When the child Kristin was seven years old, it so fell out that she got leave to go with her father..."

I don't have a problem with archaic language per se, but the translators of this version have no ear for language of any kind, in my opinion, and so this archaic prose never achieves any kind of naturalness.

Part of the problem may be that the translators never met an archaism they didn't like. In nearly EVERY line of the book Kristin "must needs" do this or would "nowise that" or so-and-so "was always for making merry."

It was so overdone--and so badly done--that I had trouble focusing on the story instead of on the irritating prose.

If you're interested in style and prose quality as well as plot, don't even think about buying this version.... get the Penguin translation instead.

Kristin's story is universal and timeless. This incredibly rich saga is relevant to twentieth century society and touches on so many of the life experiences we all go through. I read this book when I was sixteen and never forgot it- my oldest daughter is named Kristin.

The story of Kristin & Erlend are what all romances are made of, but more than that, this book tells you about family & community life in Medieval Scandanavia, it makes you long to know more about it. The writing in this book is so good and the story so well told you never wonder why it won the Nobel prize. Do not miss any of these books. Kristin & her Erlend are a couple you must know!

Dittos to the praise bestowed on the monumental work, but for a complete understanding order "Kristin: A Reading" by the great novelist/critic, Andrew Lytle (I bought mine from Amazon)

Volume one of a trilogy about the title character, Kristin Lavransdatter who grew up in the early 14th century. This book stands on it own as a fine novel. Orginally written in the 1920's the author received a Noble Prize for Literature in the 1930's and at that time this had been her only novel, she had several short stories before this three volume gem. If you ever go to Norway, all of the places and most of the churches, castles, cities and country side sight seeing locations are still there to see.

I discovered this book while looking for Norway-related fiction--in preparation for a summer trip there. Although I found the language a bit difficult, I enjoyed the book and found it strangely restful. I cannot say why, but I got an overall sense of peace reading several sections of the book. I understand there may be more 'modern' translations and perhaps that would work better for me. This story of a young couple who are determined to marry despite many objections, does seem timeless and relevant. And, the historical notes are well done and help give a sense of life in Norway during the 13-1400's? (I believe that is the correct timeframe.) If you are interested in a good 'story', with what appears to be a sound historical perspective, try this one.

Before you read this, you must know that Kristin Lavransdatter is my all time favorite piece of literature, so my opinions may be a bit biased. I first began this trilogy when I was in high school. I made it as far as Kristin's wedding and then I lost interest.I did not understand many of the emotions that Undset's characters were experiencing.Later on, five years later, when I was married and pregnant with my first child, I restarted and could not put the book down. Undset had such deep and clear insights into sin,love, marriage, family, children,spirituality, and the the human heart in general, that I was truly riveted by the story. Her characters are so incredibly real and the historical facts so painstakingly researched, that I still have trouble believing Kristin is a figment of her imagination. The plot line has so many twists and turns that you will not be bored for a moment. The historical facts are very detailed, but I have never found them tedious. Everything I have ever read on Undset describes her as unerring in the historical realm. She gave me a fascination for the middle ages, a time I have always found difficult to imagine since their mindset and customs were so different from today's. I will not give away any of the story since that is the joy of a novel, but I will say it reads like a real life story rather than a fairy tale or romance. There are tears, joy, anger, and disappointment in this woman's life. This trilogy is a must read, especially if you are at all interested in Norwegian or medieval history or in Catholicism which dominates the whole tone of the story. I believe women will enjoy the story more than men because of the drama and emotions,especially in family life - but there are many men who love these books too. I've read the books four times and I'm on my fifth run. I find a different nuance or aspect of the story each time I reread it.

As the trilogy has come so highly recommended by so many whose opinions I respect, I finally got around to reading the first volume and I found it unputtdownable. This tale of a young maiden coming of age, who is first bethrothed and is then seduced by a man she passionately falls for is beautifully told - one smells and breathes in the landscape and the times. And the rich backdrop of catholic norway with its saints and feast days makes one long again for a europe united under catholicism.