Comments on: Kristin Lavransdatter, The Wreath

By: Lu

Lu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:39:04 +0000

I agree with you completely! Excellent review. I think that there really are some super frustrating things in this section, but I don't know if it's a product of the times or Undset's doing! All I do know is that I'm looking forward to reading more. .-= Lu´s last blog ..Review – The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters =-.

By: claire

claire — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:47:28 +0000

Lol! I love lowing cows too. I agree, the setting was inculcated so subtly that it was so naturally "there." This was what I loved most about it. Just finished the first part and have to say that I was indifferent to most of the book until the ending, which at least sets us up for a (hopefully) more substantial second part. I actually want to read more about the religious and political aspects. Though I do not like politics at all, I'm actually wanting for this book to touch on them more so that I don't feel like I'm reading a bodice-ripper, haha. .-= claire´s last blog ..Kristin Lavransdatter: The Wreath =-.

By: gavin

gavin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:44:42 +0000

Loverly! You just make me laugh, and I understand your love of lowing coes. Billy must like them too.

Right now I’m not too fond of Kristin or Erlend but I’m hoping that things will change in The Wife. I do love Undset’s writing, her historical depth and the conflicts between paganism and the Catholic church. Ah, guilt and sin.

Indoor plumbing, oh, and I’m fond of electric lights (even though candle light is soo romantic, it is hard to read by).
.-= gavin´s last blog ..Kristin Lavransdatter – The Wreath – by Sigrid Undset =-.

By: Hazra

Hazra — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:01:01 +0000

Ah, I hate mopey characters too. I wanted to scream at Bella in New Moon for that very reason!
This book sounds very interesting, though. And by a Nobel-winning author, no less!
.-= Hazra´s last blog ..New Award….and a New Design =-.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:10:43 +0000

One reason why I liked Part I is because the emotions of the characters were beleiveable to me. We all remember what we felt experiencing teenage love (no matter how long ago it was), and that’s how I see Kristin –she’s still a teenager by the end of the book. Even though people grew up faster back then–marrying younger, dying sooner, etc.

Yet, it is understandable to feel frustrated towards them — for example, I sure did when Kristin and Erlend have to deal with Erlend’s ex!! Their reactions to that episode seemed immature to me.
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..R.I.P. IV Challenge: Finished =-.

By: EL Fay

EL Fay — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:08:31 +0000

I'm actually glad there was a lot of stuff about Christianity and sin. It made the book more believable as a depiction of medieval Norway than to make everyone all modern and tolerant and non-judgmental. But it looks so far like most of us had mixed feelings toward it. (Unlike our last selection, Roberto Bolano's 2666, which we mostly enjoyed.) I wouldn't compare it to Twilight, though. No self-respecting book deserves that horror. .-= EL Fay´s last blog ..Kristin Lavransdatter and the Anachronistic Feminist =-.

By: Alyce

Alyce — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:41:33 +0000

Yeah, any time I read about how women have been treated throughout history I'm glad to have been born when and where I was. .-= Alyce´s last blog ..Happy Halloween! =-.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:18:26 +0000

I am like Stephanie on this one – not sure if I should read it or not. Having being raised a catholic and now a firm atheist I’m not sure if I could handle all the mass going!! It does sound like an amazing book in so many ways though. Decisions, decisions!!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..The Bradshaw Variations – Rachel Cusk =-.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:59:00 +0000

I'm with you on the flawed characters are good, teenage angst is bad part! I also would have liked more airtime for Ragnfrid (and Ulvhild). I actually hope the book gets more into the heavy-duty religious stuff as things progress because a soap opera without sin is just a soap opera! In other words, the spirituality angle didn't do much for me either. Hmm. P.S. You live in Morro Bay? My parents live less than an hour from you! .-= Richard´s last blog ..Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath =-.

By: lena

lena — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:44:32 +0000

I’m also not terribly in love with Kristin. I loved her at the beginning, she was such a sweet child who loved her family, etc, blah blah blah. And then it went very very quickly to “I”m in love forever, promise.” I don’t know that I’ve ever fallen in love – real or fake – that quickly.

I’m hoping she redeems herself and grows up a little in the next one.
.-= lena´s last blog ..Clown Girl by Monica Drake =-.