I read the first two of three books in this incredibly long epic Norwegian story. I liked it, except when I didn't. I may never go finish it, because I am not sure I care what happens to characters who continue making such horrible life mistakes. ( )

This is very long, there is a big focus on religion and I spent a good part of the book wanting to tell Kristin to snap out of it. But even so, you don't read books set in medieval Norway every day, the relationships were complex and I was invested in knowing how lives would play out. Good for a long winter read. ( )

If you think what you want will make you happy, you're wrong... it won't. This is the basic premise of the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Overall, I really liked it. I thought it was very realistic in portraying the characters' emotional lives, and some of their actions that spilled over from these.

Though it follows Kristin and Erlend's relationship, it is not a love story, which I really loved. Since the premise of this book is that Kristin sleeps with Erlend before they're married and is then filled with guilt, yet still goes on to fight for what she wants (Erlend), there is a certain amount of sexual references/content, though nothing is very graphic.

The name of Jesus is used in vain several times throughout.

I'm giving it 4 stars overall, but have briefly reviewed the individual books below.

Book One, The Wreath - 3 Stars

The first book in the series was not very interesting. The pace was slow, not much happens, and I didn't love the characters. What I liked the most about this first book was some of what the monks said about God and their faith.

Throughout most of this book, I was so disengaged that I wasn't even planning on continuing the series, but at the very end, the book left off at a place that finally piqued my interest.

A favorite quote from The Wreath:

"'God help you, Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter,' said Sira Eirik, shaking his head. 'You want nothing more from all your prayers and fasting than to force your will on God. Does it surprise you, then, that it has accomplished so little good?'" (p 44)

Book Two, The Wife - 5 Stars

I really liked this book, as this is when Undset begins really showing that Kristin isn't satisfied with all the choices she's made, yet now she has to deal with the consequences, like it or not. Undset also begins showing some situations from the point of view of Simon, the man Kristin was betrothed to before she married Erlend. Their lives never go as planned and they're bittersweet.

A few favorite quotes from The Wife:

"Every man forgets the sinful pleasure he has enjoyed when he has to pay for it." (p 306)

"Are you so arrogant that you think yourself capable of sinning so badly that God's mercy is not great enough?..." (p 361)

"She had chosen to follow the other man, whom she knew traveled on dangerous paths. Monks and priests had pointed out remorse and repentance as the road home to peace, but she had chosen strife rather than give up her precious sin." (p 630)

Book Three, The Cross - 4.5 Stars

This was a good continuation of The Wife, but toward the end it began to drag, and some of the characters I'd become comfortable with were switched out for others whom I had no attachment to, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much.

Favorite quote from The Cross:

"It seems to me that you should have seen so much by now that you would put more trust in God the Almighty. Haven't you realized yet that He will hold up each soul as long as that soul clings to Him?... Haven't you realized yet, sister, that God has helped you each time you prayed, even when you prayed with half a heart or with little faith, and He gave you much more than you asked for. You loved God the way you loved your father: not as much as you loved your own will, but still enough that you always grieved when you had to part from him. And then you were blessed with having good grow from the bad which you had to reap from the seed of your stubborn will." (p 1094-1095) ( )

I started this book a couple of times as an audio book… but stopped after the having a hard time recognizing places and names. But then I had an AHA moment!!! I embraced this 44 hour 59 minute exquisite listen... and fell in love. (the book version is 1168 pages!) This well researched, and well written description of a young medieval Norwegian girls life, from girlhood to death is enthralling and fascinating. It is humanity at its best. One must love, live, procreate, feel guilt, grieve, love some more and then carry on. It is the story of the human condition that has not changed in probably thousands of years. This novel has EVERYTHING.

I must admit that I did have to tune out the severe religiosity in the story at times, but hey, that’s what it was like during these times. I can let that go. I loved the authors description of the physical details of the Nordic scenery, just beautiful. I can breathe the cold, fresh air from her vivid descriptions and see the glorious colors of the Nordic landscape, not to mention the Aurora Borealis. I would like to mention that the narrator did a fantastic job. She made every character stand out as an important individual, and I never got lost - there are many characters to be sure after such a momentous life as Kristin’s.

I’m amazed what this writer has created in her relatively short life, (age 67). Imagine what she could have created if she’d lived longer. I recommend this book for fans of Historical Fiction, human drama and the human experience. Very highly recommended, and please, to those of you who might feel impatient for a quick story, stick with it. It’s long but worth it. ( )

Written by a (remarkable) woman about (mostly) a woman, this will appeal more to women than to men. Four stars for male readers. ( )