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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
The Wreath is a work of historical fiction that was published in 1920. This is the first book in a trilogy. The book is set in 14th century Norway and follows the story of Kristin Lavransdatter, the daughter of a rural nobleman. The book starts when Kristin is very young, close to toddler age, and follows her up until she is a young woman. We clearly see the loving relationship Kristin has with her parents and younger sister. In her mid-teens, Kristin is betrothed to young wealthy farmer named Simon...but discovers of the coming years that her heart leads her in another direction.
The book is set at a time when the Catholic Church was becoming prominent in Norway. We see a lot of interactions with priests, nuns, and monks and hear a lot of dialogue about morality according to the church.
I will admit that I went into this thinking it might be a struggle to read but I was quickly pulled into the story. The author does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of the story and the character is engaging. Kristin does make some poor choices but you can't help feel for her trying to find her own way in the world.
My final read for the 2019 Reading Women Challenge. This book counts towards challenge task #14: A translated book published before 1945
The book is set at a time when the Catholic Church was becoming prominent in Norway. We see a lot of interactions with priests, nuns, and monks and hear a lot of dialogue about morality according to the church.
I will admit that I went into this thinking it might be a struggle to read but I was quickly pulled into the story. The author does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of the story and the character is engaging. Kristin does make some poor choices but you can't help feel for her trying to find her own way in the world.
My final read for the 2019 Reading Women Challenge. This book counts towards challenge task #14: A translated book published before 1945
andyspancreas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mmelberg's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
3.5
anadajovic's review against another edition
Realised I wasn't in the mood for such a long book
Kind of in a weird reading slump/phase
Kind of in a weird reading slump/phase
vendea's review against another edition
3.0
I'm genuinely unsure about how to rate or otherwise evaluate this book. On the one hand it was pretty well written and kept me reading. It's the first time where I grew to despise the main character but didn't really hate the book on her account. The ending was quite abrupt, and just as some expected character development was happening. So, in sum, it seems to be a technically well-written book, with a reasonably interesting story. Unfortunately I don't think it ever really made me feel anything.
I do have to say that as a parable about sin disguised as a romance, it's pretty great. It really is like watching a shoddily built house collapse as Kristin and Erlend just like...fall over the waterfall of whatever it is they're doing.
I do have to say that as a parable about sin disguised as a romance, it's pretty great. It really is like watching a shoddily built house collapse as Kristin and Erlend just like...fall over the waterfall of whatever it is they're doing.
kcoleet's review against another edition
3.0
Actually, I read all 3 volumes of "Kristin", and it was a clear demonstration of how much the translation can affect one's experience of a book. The 1st 2 volumes - "The Wreath" and "The Wife" were older translations. Very archaic, stiff pseudo-medieval language. The third volume - "The Cross" - was a more recent translation. Much more natural and easier to read, without being jarringly inappropriate to the medieval time-period of the book. Someday I'll re-read the 1st 2 volumes in this new translation, and no doubt I'll like them better.
lahowitt's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Soap opera stuff. Fun to read and then see the author’s home while visiting Lillehammer. But not my type of novel overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape