Reviews

Kristin Lavransdatter, I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset

ljm57's review against another edition

3.0

Was looking forward to this book, the first instalment of a trilogy set in Norway during the middle ages. But the writing didn't transport me to that era as much as I thought it would & Kristin Lavransdatter the central character, also failed to appeal to me. An okay historical saga but certainly nothing special. Maybe the second two books in the trilogy will add more depth.

kolson687's review against another edition

4.0

The Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy has been on my to read shelf since I was in high school. My mother loved the series so much that she named me Kristen after the books. I had attempted to read her books but the translation was difficult to follow. I was very happy to find this newer translation. This is a classic that was written in the 1920’s about medieval Norway. The descriptions of the countryside and the customs of the times were beautifully done. I’m glad I finally read the first one. Now onto the second.

betterthanitsseams's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

maviemerveilleuse's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Misogyny

Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual assault

bookhound's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this book- first in a trilogy about a young Norwegian girl coming of age. It won the Pulitzer in 1920 and is the start of an epic saga of her life, this part from childhood to young marriage. It's soapier than you might expect, but really interesting, and I look forward to seeing how the main character (and her family) develop. 

camillaale's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

minaminamina's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

alice_12's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

franco200's review against another edition

5.0

After getting hate comments on this site (@michael), I have succumbed to writing a review.

It's been a while since I speed through a book like this one. The strength of this book was its characters. Every character in this book felt emotionally and psychologically described in way that made them able to handle the mature themes, plot lines and insane twists that the author created. The writing was great. Themes were also great and well explored: sin, guilt, familial love and duty.

Excited for next one.

stormy_reading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0