"Are you so arrogant that you think yourself capable of sinning so badly that God’s mercy is not great enough?"


Book 2 deals with Kristin's marriage, and as I suspected, there is trouble in paradise. Kristin is haunted by her sins, and this guilt consumes her. Even when the priests, including her brother-in-law, Gunnulf, advise her not to focus on her sins so much, but to live her life doing good. Still, Kristin struggles with trusting in God's mercy. It's heartbreaking because I'd like to see her experience the peace thatvtge Catholic Church is offering her, but she just can't get over her guilt. She makes a pilgrimage and gives her bridal wreath as penance, and after this she is able to move on for a time. She and Erland experience many struggles in their marriage. Kristin is consumed with guilt. Erland doesn't understand this. He doesn't take his sins very seriously. Kristin is a good steward of of their household and properties. Erland is wasteful and let's his properties fall to ruin. Kristin is obsessed with her seven sons. Erland doesn't want much to do with them. These and many other differences between them cause serious rifts in their marriage as neither of them is very good at communication and compromise. Kristin's guilt festers into a hatred of Erland. She takes everything out on him, and even her father and her brother-in-law, Simon, rebuke her over this. Erland resents Kristin for her "holiness". Despite her resentment of him, he sees so much goodness in her that it pricks his conscience, and makes him feel worse about his own sinfulness. This harkens back to the first book, where Brother Edvin points out that once people sin, they have a tendency to delight in others sins, because it makes them feel better about themselves. Erland cheats on Kristin, and this exposes his plot against the king. He is convicted of treason, and sentenced to death. Only then does Kristin let go of her hatred for Erland. Simon helps them, and gets the king to pardon Erland. At the end of the book it is revealed that Simon still loves Kristin, his sister-in-law and ex-fiance. This book is more political than the first and it's a bit difficult to keep track of all the political history of Norway at that time, so it was a slower read for me than the first book, but it was still very good and worth the read. Oddly enough, I sympathized with Simon the most, and I'd like to see more of him in Book 3.


CAWPILE Rating:

C- 9

A- 8

W- 8

P- 6

I- 7

L- 8

E- 6

Avg= 7.5= ⭐⭐⭐⭐

#backtotheclassics (classic in translation)
#mmdchallenge (three books by the same author) ( )

The second installment in the Kristin Lavransdatter series by Sigrid Undset is a marvelous continuation of this story of medieval life in Norway that began with [b:The Bridal Wreath|273565|The Bridal Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1)|Sigrid Undset|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388529677l/273565._SY75_.jpg|25477]. Whatever sense of unfinished business I had at the end of The Wreath was satisfied in this book.

After her precarious start to marriage with Erlend Nikulausson, we find Kirstin both paying the price and reaping the rewards of her decision. She has to settle into life with a less than responsible husband and seven children, all boys, but she has also established her worth as both a mother and a wife. To my surprise, there is much to admire about Erlend, and just as he earned the respect of Kristin’s father, Lavrans, by the end of this book, he had earned mine as well. Undset writes him with a kind of charm that pulls you in and helps you to understand exactly why a woman like Kristin would find him irresistible. I kept picturing Errol Flynn, but I’m sure more modern bad boy charmers would fit the bill. His fatal flaw is that he is reckless and thoughtless; his saving grace is that he is intelligent and brave and loves.

Speaking of Lavrans, Kirstin's father, I love this character so much! The relationship he shares with Kristin is so special and there is a sweetness and wisdom about him that breaks my heart. We also find Simon Andresson again, and his is another character that I admire completely and ache for. There is much of tragedy building here that I fear cannot have a happy ending. Not everyone is admirable of course, and there are plenty of moments when even the admirable ones show to less than perfection. Perhaps the greatest strength in Undset’s writing is how real and multidimensional all her characters are. Even the monks have flaws.

Sigrid Undset is a remarkable writer. She draws striking pictures of these medieval houses, customs and occupants. The political and religious systems that operate during this time are vastly different than those we see today, and again, Undset provides such a thorough and accurate portrait that you cannot fail to understand the important roles they play and the effect that they have on the people and the times.

There are pictures of motherhood, husbandry, political intrigue, unrequited love, unappreciated valor and sacrifice that would rival any book ever written. When I closed on the last page, I knew I would not let very many days elapse before beginning the third and final volume. I begin to see why Undset received the Nobel prize and why she is so respected by the generations that have read her works.


( )

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1987: "Story of a strong-willed, well-born maiden of 14th century Norway. Provides wonderful insights into dress, housing, customs, reilgion, etc. of the time. And, interesting physchological studies of relationships and personal handlings of sin. Most memorable character, other than Kristen herself: the mendicant Brother Edvin - "But see you not that 'tis not well with you (Kristen) now, since you would rather hear such tales of other folks' frailities than of the life and deeds of good men, who might serve you as a pattern . . . ?" Still remember loving reading this trilogy and appreciate the author that Sigrid Undset was. (Same review for full trilogy). ( )

[fourth reading in February, 2018—revised rating to 5 stars]

[third reading in October, 2015]

[read for the second time in March/April, 2014]

[May 21, 2011] Well, when I finished The Wreath, I wasn't at all sure I cared to continue with the trilogy...but as the weeks went on, guess what I couldn't stop thinking about? Kristin Lavransdatter. So I gave the second book a try, and what a difference a translation can make! Tiina Nunnally's recent version is far superior to the one I'd read before. As well, I think Kristin's character as an adult wife and mother is just a lot more interesting than the lovelorn teenager. I loved this book's beautiful descriptions of Norway, the un-romanticized medieval setting, the honest and believable highs and lows of married life and Christian faith. The political intrigue was the only part I had a hard time getting into. On the whole, so good. ( )

This second book in the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy sees Kristin mature from a young bride into a capable wife and mother. First, she needs to come to terms with rash decisions made in her youth: not only did she insist on choosing her own husband, but she gave in to desire and became pregnant before marriage. After becoming a parent, Kristin begins to appreciate the emotional and social impact of her impetuous behavior on her parents, who nevertheless love her unconditionally. Second, Kristin realizes her husband Erlend may be a fine lover, but he is ineffective at managing his property and not very attentive as a father.

With her father as role model, Kristin steps up to managing the estate. Erlend’s work takes him to the furthest reaches of the country, and he becomes involved in some controversial political activity. Eventually he does something stupid that threatens the family at its core. Kristin’s former fiancé, Simon, proves himself to be the all-around good guy by intervening on their behalf and salvaging as much of the situation as he can. And with that, I know it won’t be long before I read the final volume in this trilogy. ( )