Reviews

Kristin Lavransdatter, I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset

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anadajovic's review against another edition

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Realised I wasn't in the mood for such a long book
Kind of in a weird reading slump/phase

vendea's review against another edition

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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.

kangokaren's review against another edition

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4.0

It was worth the time it took me to finish.

kcoleet's review against another edition

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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.