We follow Kristin from early childhood as she embarks on a trek with her beloved father into the Norwegian mountains to their summer pastures, through her romance and marriage to Erlend, a nobleman who pursues his own will no matter what. Undset is unparalleled in her knowledge of this time and place, and the depth of description, from landscapes to historical customs, is such that one puts this book down truly enriched by the experience. This is the tale of Kristin, the daughter of Lavrans, and is set in 14th century Norway, a place of uncommon wonder.
The book is titled “Kristin Lavransdatter,” and is considered by most critics to be Undset’s finest literary achievement, which is saying something, because she wrote a number of outstanding novels. There is a newer translation by Tiina Nunnally, which I would recommend, and which the library has in its collection. No, it wasn’t in Norwegian I couldn’t manage that, but in a passable translation, if a bit archaic. The past few weeks, when I had the time, sandwiched between my day job as director of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, and my “what’s left over time” felling and limbing up spruce trees in my backyard, making runs to the transfer station, repairing hinges on garden gates, and whatever else needs doing around the house, I read an extraordinary novel by Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset.
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