A review by ana_ku
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Great understanding of human nature, deeply psychological. A very precise and lifelike portrayal of what it was like to live in the 14th century Norway, true to the epoch it describes. The historical background is immensely richt, but natural and doesn't come off as if the author was showing-off her research or trying to teach the reader with exposition dumps and weird inner monologues. High-quality writing.
The characters don't think and behave like modern people, but are products of their environment. At the same time, they still have universal human needs, desires and motivations. They are written with love, understanding and in the spirit of humanism, even though they are all deeply flawed, even unlikeable.
The book is steeped in Catholicism with some lingering traces of a pagan worldview, and to me it read as an indictment of the catholic psychology, which riddled the heroine with guilt and remorse throughout her whole life and repressed her strength and independence. However, seeing as Sigrid Undset is a converted Catholic, I'd be surpsied if it was what she intended. But she was also a feminist, so who knows. I was always afraid the book would turn to sermonising, and it's surprisng to me how it's full of priest-talk and catholics' torturous inner monologues, and yet it never felt to me like religious propaganda. It was more of a faithful description of what this worldview feels like, a glimpse into the souls of these people.
As the book progressed it sometimes felt heavy and depressing, but it was a worthwhile, insightful read.
The characters don't think and behave like modern people, but are products of their environment. At the same time, they still have universal human needs, desires and motivations. They are written with love, understanding and in the spirit of humanism, even though they are all deeply flawed, even unlikeable.
The book is steeped in Catholicism with some lingering traces of a pagan worldview, and to me it read as an indictment of the catholic psychology, which riddled the heroine with guilt and remorse throughout her whole life and repressed her strength and independence. However, seeing as Sigrid Undset is a converted Catholic, I'd be surpsied if it was what she intended. But she was also a feminist, so who knows. I was always afraid the book would turn to sermonising, and it's surprisng to me how it's full of priest-talk and catholics' torturous inner monologues, and yet it never felt to me like religious propaganda. It was more of a faithful description of what this worldview feels like, a glimpse into the souls of these people.
As the book progressed it sometimes felt heavy and depressing, but it was a worthwhile, insightful read.