Has anyone here read this book?

I'd never heard of it, but it was recommended to me recently.

I'll have to wait until I finish it to give my 2 cents, but it's very good so far.

Tele, you especially would either love it or hate it.

Set in medieval, Catholic Norway, the marriages by and large are arranged by the fathers.
The protagonist--a young maiden--rejects the betrothed her father has chosen for her in favor of a man 10+ years older than herself.  :wink:

Finished this book last night, so here's my review for those interested in such things...

First, this is a much larger book than I'm accustomed to reading--1125 pages. It’s technically 3 books in 1, but I can’t imagine anyone enjoying the first without moving right along to 2 and 3. With the exception of redefining a few things at the beginning of books 2 and 3, it’s really just one story published in 3 parts. Despite its heftiness, the book is an easy read and I seemed to move through it rather quickly.

Although I’m not especially familiar with the historical setting of the story, according to the book’s introduction, the author, Sigrid Undset, is very skilled at giving an accurate depiction of the time and place, namely medieval Norway. So, I can only presume that the political and cultural atmosphere given in the story is realistic. This is important because it’s the Catholic culture in which the characters live which plays a large part in driving the story. It’s not a messed-up world such as we live in now where sin is exalted and virtue is looked down upon, but rather sinful actions are seen as quite damaging to one’s reputation if not outright against the law.

The story is about Kristin, her life from childhood until death, and the other individuals who shape her life. Kristin isn’t anyone especially remarkable; in fact, I’d say the entire story is all very “normal.” No surprising twists and turns in the plot. What makes the story a good read is the author’s surprising understanding of human nature, particularly with regard to the differences between men and women and the relationships between them.

Undset also has a strong enough understanding of the struggles Catholics face between sin and virtue to bring into the story many a thought-provoking moment. Her characters vary greatly between sinners and saints and yet each of them, in their clearest moments, recognize that their lives have been, at different moments and to different degrees, offensive to God. When the characters feel remorse and turn back toward God, they find their burdens to be lighter and their general disposition toward life improves. They recognize that they must fight to keep on the path of virtue. Some, of course, failing more often than not. All of this is to say that her characters are very real.

Undset is rather vague at times in the book. Her characters, as can be expected, don’t usually just blurt out everything that’s on their minds. Unfortunately, though, I was left a bit confused about a couple of situations that I presumed I’d come to understand before the book’s end. I was also disappointed at one point near the end of the book where a grave misdeed is treated very lightly by a number of individuals – no one took the offender to task and told him they wouldn’t tolerate such behavior, primarily, I gather, because the chief person among those present had done similar follies in her own youth. (Is this how society spirals downward?)

My final criticism is that the book will probably cause most anyone to suffer a bit from character overload. Undset introduces each character equally and you never really know if you should be committing the details to mind as the character will later play an important part in the story, or if you can simply pass by the reference as merely that which gives the story its fullness. The one situation which left me the most puzzled probably had to do with my failure to remember the details of a seemingly insignificant character.

It should also be noted that Undset is a Nobel laureate. While it's not what impresses me most about the book, she does write very powerfully, truely capturing the times, places, and emotions of the story. Her descriptive ability alone makes the book worth reading.

I’ll leave you with one of the thought-provoking passages which are littered throughout the book. Opening to a random section... Kristin, at this point, is feeling particularly sorrowful for her past sins and her inability to find peace and holiness in her present life situation. Her brother-in-law, a monk, tells her this...

And yet many a woman has pulled herself up from a life of sin with such strength that we dare pray for her intercession. But this happened more often in the past, when she was threatened with torture and fire and glowing tongs if she called herself a Christian. I have often thought, Kristin, that back then it was easier to tear oneself away from the bonds of sin, when it could be done forcefully and all at once.

yes i too enjoyed the review! i tried reading that one time but i have add.

A different scenario

Hot off the press.

Have you read it?

Love this: "The year is 907, in the turmoil of the Dark Ages. "... sooooooo dark!