Summary of Kristin LavransdatterÂ
“Kristin Lavransdatter” is a trilogy of historical novels set in medieval Norway, chronicling the life of the titular character, Kristin Lavransdatter, from childhood to old age. In the first book, “The Wreath” (“Kransen”), Kristin grows up on the Jørundgard farm of her father Lavran and her mother Ragnfrid, in Gudbrandsdalen. She later receives schooling at a convent in Oslo. When she falls in love with Erlend, her father disapproves of the relationship, but she defies him and chooses love over duty. The other two novels, “The Wife” (“Husfrue”) and “The Cross” (“Korset”), depict Kristin’s life as a married woman, the consequences of her choices, her moral dilemmas, and the tensions within her family.
Reasons to read Kristin Lavransdatter
“Kristin Lavransdatter” provides a vivid and historically relatively accurate portrayal of life in 14th-century Norway. At the time of their publication, these historical novels were considered controversial due to the ambiguous moral choices and the depictions of female sexuality. Despite being written over a hundred years ago, “Kristin Lavransdatter” remains a widely read classic of Norwegian literature. The novels greatly contributed to Sigrid Undset winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. She was the third woman to win this prize, and also the third Norwegian writer. Other notable works by Sigrid Undset include the four-volume “Olav Audunssøn” series, published in English as “The Master of Hestviken”, which is also set in medieval Norway, in the Oslofjord region.
Setting: Sel, Gudbrandsdalen (Norway)
The main setting of Kristin Lavransdatter is Sel (in the Gudbrand Valley – Gudbrandsdalen); other locations include Oslo (Nonneseter Abbey), Trøndelag, and Trondheim
Original title: Kristin Lavransdatter
Year of publication: 1920-1922
Nr of pages: 336
The entire trilogy counts 1161 pages.
