The Mistress of Husaby: Kristin Lavransdatter, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Sigrid Undset (Author), Charles Archer (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 1987

The acknowledged masterpiece of the Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset, Kristin Lavransdatter has never been out of print in this country since its first publication in 1927. Its story of a woman's life in fourteenth-century Norway has kept its hold on generations of readers, and the heroine, Kristin—beautiful, strong-willed, and passionate—stands with the world's great literary figures. Volume 11, The Mistress of Husaby, tells of Kristin's troubled and eventful married life on the great estate of Husaby, to which her husband has taken her.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Sigrid Undset's trilogy embodies more of life, seen understanding and seriously…than any novel since Dostoievsky's Brothers Karamazov.” —Commonweal“No other novelist has bodied forth the medieval world with such richness and fullness.” —New York Herald Tribune

Language Notes

Text: English, Norwegian (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st Vintage Books edition (May 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394752937
• ISBN-13: 978-0394752938
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #978,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will stay with me the rest of my life., September 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mistress of Husaby: Kristin Lavransdatter, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Please don't read this book without having read The Bridal Wreath first, you must have the foundation laid before you can appreciate Kristin and her family and her life. This book tugged at me so emotionally that to this day I still feel her feelings, I still get upset and her and Erlend. It is well written and not only does it explain life has it may have been at that time, it still has a ring of now, even though it was written in 1928. But above-all it captures and sends you to a world you will want to be a part of forever. DO NOT MISS THESE BOOKS!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I ever read, January 8, 2003

By 

Ingrid Spears (Highlands, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mistress of Husaby: Kristin Lavransdatter, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

I found an ancient copy of this book on my shelf that had been my father's. It actually fell apart by the time I finished reading it. The translation was very hard to read but it made me read everything thoroughly to understand what was going on. The prose made me feel as though I was acutally living during the 1300's. My emotions went all over the place and I could really identify with Kristen. Life at that time was so fragile and I found the characters amazingly positive and uplifting most of the time in spite of all the trials and tribulations that were experienced. Kristen's love for Erland was remarkable and seldom wavered in spite of the fact that he had glaring flaws that she could see. The tragedy is hard to match but I found I couldn't put the book down. Coming from a Nordic background helped me appreciate what my ancestors probably experienced in such a harsh world. I am looking forward to reading Sigrid Undset's other books.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening look at life in 14th century Norway..., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mistress of Husaby: Kristin Lavransdatter, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Though the political details and language slowed me down at times, I found it fascinating to learn what life was like for a woman in Norway in the 1300's. The social, economic, and political aspects of the time are interestingly and thoroughly presented. I would suggest that not too many years go by between reading the books in the trilogy because you will have a greater appreciation for what is going on if you remember details from the previous books.