“He was well, but had cast himself into a wild life, just as many young people, out of despair, had done. They said that whoever was afraid would be sure to die, and so they blunted their fear with carousing and drinking, playing cards, dancing, and carrying on with women.” – Kristin Lavransdatter, by Sigrid Undset
Historical fiction is what I’ve been immersed in lately, what with watching the Outlander series and reading the remarkable 14th century Norwegian trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter. I first read The Wreath, The Wife, and The Cross by Sigrid Undset when I was in my twenties, thanks to my college roommate, Kathy, (of Norwegian descent) who highly recommended it. I vowed to read it again someday from the perspective of a good portion of life lived. A few weeks ago I ordered it; the time was right, I thought, especially because the Black Plague has a part to play in Kristin’s story and we’re living through our own time’s pandemic.
The story centers around the life of Kristin from childhood to elderhood, and her sexual, emotional, familial and spiritual pilgrimage across the span of life. I see many similarities between Kristin and Claire Fraser, the protagonist of Outlander.
Published in 1920, 1921, and 1922, Kristin Lavransdatter was a worldwide literary sensation. Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928.
Here is something about Sigrid’s singular protagonist from the Introduction to the edition I’m reading:
“In the annals of literary ‘fallen women,’ Kristin Lavransdatter, the twentieth-century/fourteenth-century literary figure, occupies a curious and fascinating place. After they fell, a number of Kristin’s nineteenth-century counterparts were whisked offstage, often to meet a premature end. In the latter part of the twentieth century, many of Kristin’s successors were sexual adventuresses whose exploits were pure and liberated triumphs. Writing in the first quarter of the twentieth century, Undset chose a middle path for her heroine. Kristin never doubts that she has covertly sinned, and the pain of her deceptions remains a lifelong affliction. Even so, her unshakable guilt in no way paralyzes her and she carries on with her life. Throughout the trilogy, Kristin is an indomitable presence in every role she undertakes….”
At age seven Kristin gazes at the view from her home:
“There were forest-clad mountain slopes below her in all directions; her valley was no more than a hollow between the enormous mountains, and the neighboring valleys were even smaller hollows; there were many of them, and yet there were fewer valleys than there were mountains. On all sides gray domes, golden-flamed with lichen, loomed above the carpet of forest; and far off in the distance, toward the horizon, stood blue peaks with white glints of snow, seeming to merge with the grayish-blue and dazzling white summer clouds. But to the northeast, close by – just beyond the pasture woods – stood a cluster of magnificent stone-blue mountains with streaks of new snow on their slopes…
She knew that wolves and bears reigned in the forest, and under every rock lived trolls and goblins and elves, and she was suddenly afraid, for no one knew how many there were, but there were certainly many more of them than of Christian people.”
Kristian Lavransdatter seemed to fall out of favor for a time, but it is having something of a resurgence. My son and his girlfriend are waiting eagerly in line to read it once I’m finished. (My son lives in the heart of the US Covid outbreak in Brooklyn, and we were glad when he was able to stay temporarily near to us. Yesterday was a fine, warm day, and he and his girlfriend came for a socially distanced visit. They brought a blanket and sat on the grass while I picked weeds. We talked about the books we’re reading.)
This line in particular, which refers to the time of the Black Death, spoke to me as something that could be said about our current pandemic:
“Now it almost seemed as if all people were equally close and distant to each other at this time of great need.”
Kristin was skilled in herbal and healing remedies:
“They now had to do the milking and chores in the cowshed themselves; they cooked their own food, and they brought back juniper and fresh evergreen branches for the cleansing smoke. Everyone did whatever task needed doing. They nursed the sick as best they could and handed out healing remedies: their supplies of theriac and calamus root were gone, but they doled out ginger, pepper, saffron, and vinegar against the sickness, along with milk and food. When the bread ran out, they baked at night; when the spices were gone, people had to chew on juniper berries and pine needles against the sickness.”
My dear friend Kathy of Blueberry Hills Art first introduced me to Kristin Lavransdatter. Please follow the link and check out her gorgeous website, which just made its debut. She’s on Instagram, too. Here is one of her woodcut prints, which reminds me of the nature that infuses Kristin’s world:
Kristin Lavransdatter is wonderful reading, especially if you’re spending hours at home. Have you read it? What are you reading these days? I have some special books to share with you in my next post; they are making my pandemic days richer.
Books Can Save A Life 
You know, I can’t quite remember. When I read it the second time around, much, much later in life, I found it too long – but on the other hand the length makes it special in a way, a saga or life pilgrimage. i do think it does deal with her shame for having sex out of wedlock – so if that is a topic you don’t want them exposed to, then it wouldn’t be appropriate. However, she does heal and grow and the general tone of the book is that she regrets having done that and matures.
Loved this book and your review! Question: I want to give it to my girls to read for the summer. I remember one spicy scene in the barn, but I can’t remember if there are other detailed love scenes and want to spare them that. I read it a few years ago and would love to re-read it, but 1,000pp…
Loved that book when I read it back in college. We were studying phenomenology of architecture. The trilogy is shock full of references to genius loci, and I found myself nodding in agreement ever so often. Great book, for sure! I love your idea of re-reading it later in life. I should do that, too, now that you’ve planted the seed. 🙂
Hi, Anna. Yes, it’s been interesting and meaningful to re-read it now, and I’d always intended to; thought with the pandemic it was time. (And the pandemic really only takes up about 20 pages of an 1100 page story.) Second time around it gets a big draggy in places but I’m really enjoying it – I love her nature scenes and the descriptions of the farms and the everyday chores and tools and responsibilities; plus it’s a spiritual pilgrimage too that I think many women can identify with. If you read it again let me know what you think this time around. Good to hear from you!
I definitely will! Nice to hear from you too! ❤
I don’t read much historical fiction but I really enjoyed your review (as always). I’m so happy that you are able to see your son and his partner and that the weather is warm enough for gardening. It’s getting chilly here in Australia, winter is nearly here.
I am so glad it’s finally warm, it took forever here. It is so great having our son nearby, it’s been a long time since we’ve had that, and his partner is delightful. So we are grateful and enjoying it all despite the pandemic situation. I hope you and all your family are well, Margaret, it sounds to me as though Australia is handling this a whole lot better than the US!!
Oh that sounds wonderful Valorie, I just a good work of historical fiction and this sounds like it offers all that is rewarding in that genre and more, especially being from outside our own culture(s).
Can’t wait to hear more about what else you’ve been reading!
Claire I think you’d love this book!!
Oh, the word that was missing between “just” and “a”, you understood what I meant!
I loved this book!
I love it too!
Val, now I remember this book (or 3 to be exact)! That was quite a long time ago that I told you about them. I’m glad you enjoyed them so much to re-read them now. After reading your description I think will need to revisit this trilogy.
Historical fiction has always been a favorite genre. I’m currently reading Drums of Autumn (book 4 in the Outlander series). That series has certainly helped me get over my intimidation of lengthy books (still such a slow reader). But, when I can tear myself away from the 18th century I will immerse myself in the 14th!
Thank you so much for including a photo of my woodcut “Seeds of Hope” in your blog. I am so touched by your kind words. The structure of that print was actually inspired by the design of medieval illuminated manuscripts. The main image (the sparrow) is surrounded by a border of related imagery (the cleome seeds that sparrows devour in late summer). So, it seems appropriate for the time period of this book!
By the way, I’m thoroughly enjoying another book you had written about a few months ago. “ Late Migrations” is such a pleasure to read. Until later, happy reading!
Thanks, Kathy. You know I’ve always loved your work….it was fun to watch whatever you were creating back in our dorm room – I especially remember the calligraphy. I didn’t know about the seeds, I’ll take another look. And I didn’t know you liked historical fiction, even though you introduced me to this book. Good for you for reading Outlander….I haven’t, yet, read the series, but mostly like what they are doing with the tv episodes. As for reading slowly, that’s what fun, to luxuriate in the characters and the text. I think with KL, it is really good to take your time, because it is immersion in a totally different world.
Beautiful post, Val! Loved the quote you shared from the introduction. It made me smile 🙂 So glad you loved Kristin Lavransdatter! I got to know about it through my friend and I read the first part. I loved the story and Sigrid Undset’s prose. At that time I got distracted and couldn’t continue after the first part. I hope to get back to it one of these days. I have the same edition you have. This edition is so beautiful, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing your friend’s artwork! It is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Can’t wait for your next post!
Thanks Vishy. I love some of Undset’s descriptions and her style too.
What an excellent book to delve into during these strange times. I read Kristen Lavransdatter a few years ago and I still feel that very glow. It is an extraordinary book.
Glad you and yours are keeping well. Stay safe xxx
I’m so glad to know you feel the same way! It is a special story, isn’t it? Thank you for visiting and please stay healthy and safe!!