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katie_chandler's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings. I’m impressed that this story could be so timeless for when it was written and the plot timeframe, but it was way too dramatic for me to enjoy the characters or storyline. Ereland is a douche. Can I say that? *insert big eyes emoji* The ending of this first piece of the trilogy is bizarre and all over, in focus. Not interested in reading more. Poor Kristin.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/review-1495-1920club-the-bridal-wreath/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/review-1495-1920club-the-bridal-wreath/
mjsteimle's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kristinvdt's review against another edition
Denne må leses på ny, jeg var for ung da jeg leste den.
arnoldad1's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
memusings's review against another edition
3.5
I think I might have liked this book better if the reading hadn’t been dragged out so long!
ines2914's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Kolejne owocne spotkanie ze skandynawską literaturą piękną, tym razem opisującą średniowieczne realia Skandynawii i proste, pobożne życie ludzi próbujących przetrwać w tym nieprzyjaznym dla nich klimacie. Ciężko nie zgadzać się z wyborami głównej bohaterki, która choć młoda i naiwna, kieruje się przede wszystkim głosem serca, starając się przy tym nie zawieść własnych rodziców i nie naruszyć zasad kościoła. Bardzo podobały mi się opisy przyrody a także motyw wiary i modlitwy, który wprowadził mistyczna aurę z pogranicza pogaństwa i chrześcijaństwa. Po raz kolejny utwierdzam się w przekonaniu, że skandynawscy pisarze mają niesamowity kunszt.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I found the book to be very well written and easy to read even tough it's a classic from 1920's. It's a compelling story set in 1300 and it's was quite enjoyable.
horacelamb's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit that a trilogy about a woman's life in 14th century Norway wasn't on my bingo card for 2023 reading. But a couple of authors I respect had it on their recommended reading list and I thought I'd give it a try. I liked it so much that I'm now on the second novel in the trilogy.
Kristin is uneducated (in a formal, academic sense) but she comes from a well-regarded family and she's beautiful. Her marriage is arranged but she doesn't really care for her fiancé. She wants to like him but just can't bring herself to marry him. Along the way she has various temptations and doesn't always make the best decisions. The novel is about her family and their friends and others in this small 14th century town in Norway. Although that may not sound very exciting, there's much more drama here than I expected. The characters are well-drawn and there's an appreciation for the complexity of each.
As one reviewer said: "For me the key measure of a work of historical fiction is how well does it inhabit its age. Its characters should be more than contemporary people in period dress-up, and very few historical works I've ever read puts you into the mindset and immerses you into the surroundings of another age better than the The Wreath."
Although Kristin is the star, the other characters may win you over. It will be interesting to see how Kristin matures in the next two books of the trilogy.
Kristin is uneducated (in a formal, academic sense) but she comes from a well-regarded family and she's beautiful. Her marriage is arranged but she doesn't really care for her fiancé. She wants to like him but just can't bring herself to marry him. Along the way she has various temptations and doesn't always make the best decisions. The novel is about her family and their friends and others in this small 14th century town in Norway. Although that may not sound very exciting, there's much more drama here than I expected. The characters are well-drawn and there's an appreciation for the complexity of each.
As one reviewer said: "For me the key measure of a work of historical fiction is how well does it inhabit its age. Its characters should be more than contemporary people in period dress-up, and very few historical works I've ever read puts you into the mindset and immerses you into the surroundings of another age better than the The Wreath."
Although Kristin is the star, the other characters may win you over. It will be interesting to see how Kristin matures in the next two books of the trilogy.
ichabodcrane's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book if you wanna a breathy historical fiction that gets into the details of medieval Norway while touching on themes of desire, guilt, and love. I’m sure you can do a critical reading of it concerning hierarchies and even queerness but I didn’t bc I was just trying to slog thru it.