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A review by mariegrim
Kransen by Sigrid Undset
4.0
Some historical novels feel like its characters are modern people set in a historical setting, while others feel like the characters are stiff, cold and without any feelings. Undset has managed to not fall into any of those traps. Her characters are filled with emotions fitting for the society they live in. As a modern reader I would get a bit annoyed with some of the shame Kristin felt, but considering the time period I could also to some extent understand her feelings.
I can easily dislike a book if the love interest is an idiot. In too many romances the love interest is an ass hole that no one in real life should need to fall in love with or share their life with, and these idiotic characters are glorified to be the dream guy (Mr. Grey anyone?). I really disliked Kristin's love interest, Erlend. However this is not a romance, and while Kristin isn't fully able to see that this guy is not someone one should choose to share life with, many of the characters around her do see it. Love is blind, and maybe particularly so when you are an unexperienced teenager. I'm interested to see how these relationships develop in the next book. Erlend was not a bad guy, but he was immature and careless.
After reading this book I also found out that some of what I learned about the plot in Norwegian class in school was actually wrong. Shame on you Norwegian education system.
I can easily dislike a book if the love interest is an idiot. In too many romances the love interest is an ass hole that no one in real life should need to fall in love with or share their life with, and these idiotic characters are glorified to be the dream guy (Mr. Grey anyone?). I really disliked Kristin's love interest, Erlend. However this is not a romance, and while Kristin isn't fully able to see that this guy is not someone one should choose to share life with, many of the characters around her do see it. Love is blind, and maybe particularly so when you are an unexperienced teenager. I'm interested to see how these relationships develop in the next book. Erlend was not a bad guy, but he was immature and careless.
After reading this book I also found out that some of what I learned about the plot in Norwegian class in school was actually wrong. Shame on you Norwegian education system.