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Kristin Lavransdatter read-along | 2025

365 replies

TimeforaGandT · 04/07/2025 13:44

Following on from The Count of Monte Cristo read-along in the first half of 2025, we are reading Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset for the second half of 2025.

The medieval epic tells the story of a passionate and headstrong woman from childhood in three books : The Wreath, The Wife and The Cross.

It’s a majestic 1124 pages in the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition which has been translated by Tiina Nunnally and this is the edition I am using for page number references. Kudos to anyone who is reading it in the original Norwegian.

There are 67 chapters in total (if I have counted correctly) and the consensus is to read three chapters a week / one every two days with Sundays off. I have ignored the Introduction as part of the read-along as, in my experience, there are often contain spoilers.

Starting on Monday, 7 July our first week looks like this:

The Wreath – Part 1 (Jørundgaard)

Monday / Tuesday – Chapter 1 (pages 5 to 21)
Wednesday / Thursday – Chapter 2 (pages 22 to 37)
Friday / Saturday – Chapter 3 (pages 38 – 47)
Sunday – day off

I will try and tag all those who have previously expressed interest.

Kristin Lavransdatter read-along | 2025
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FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 09/07/2025 20:29

That's annoying, Agua!

CornishLizard · 09/07/2025 20:02

I don’t own a kindle, but would say this book would be as good a contender as anything for an e-book. The paperback is heavy and has ragged edges - I’m finding it tricky to flick back a page when I want to. The first of the 3 books is the shortest but I’ve been wondering about trying to get hold of one or both of the later ones as single volumes if it’s not easier to handle the paperback when further through.

AgualusasLover · 09/07/2025 19:14

Or I take it back for a £30 refund and get the Kindle £12 copy.

AgualusasLover · 09/07/2025 19:13

After all of my faffing about my copy doesn’t say who the translator is and, in fact, on comparing it to the Kindle version of the one we’ve mostly been looking at, I clearly have a different translation. I compared the first page and I think I can live worth it. Sigh.

AgualusasLover · 09/07/2025 15:04

Absolutely perfect.

TimeforaGandT · 08/07/2025 23:07

Good to see you @AgualusasLover. We started yesterday and are doing one chapter every two days with Sundays off. If (and it’s a big if) I have calculated correctly we will finish early December,

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TimeforaGandT · 08/07/2025 23:01

Welcome @helphelpimbeingrepressed. Good timing as we have only read Chapter 1.

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AgualusasLover · 08/07/2025 19:48

Found you all, my copy arrived at the bookshop yesterday.

Apologies for my absolute tardiness, new job has indeed taken a lot, after 5 weeks of training in various capacities I am finally ready to start properly. Thank you @TimeforaGandT for moving it all forward.

Will go back and read what you’ve all decided and very happy to be a participant this time.

helphelpimbeingrepressed · 08/07/2025 19:11

Can I join please? I have a copy

TonTonMacoute · 08/07/2025 19:09

The relationship of the parents is intriguing - handsome and popular father with an older, plainer and introverted wife.

There’s a whole potential mumsnet thread right there!

Benvenuto · 08/07/2025 17:26

I thought the translation was easy to read - certainly when I got past the introduction of the characters. I wanted to mention that specifically, as it’s quite a skill & the translator deserves credit for it.

The pace really picked up at the elf maiden part, which I wasn’t expecting as it was quite a change from the character section. The relationship of the parents is intriguing - handsome and popular father with an older, plainer and introverted wife.

TonTonMacoute · 08/07/2025 16:34

My heart did sink a bit at the first page or so - all those Scandinavian names! However, that soon passed and the rest of the chapter was lovely. Wonderful description of the landscape and the way of life of the people. Plus some peril - possibly mythological- then everyone getting pissed, including the kids, and finally a panicky dad making everyone promise that on no account will anyone tell his wife what happened!

Looking forward to this

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 08/07/2025 09:35

I liked the description of the relationship between father and daughter. It's very tender.

TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 23:18

Ignoring the confusing opening paragraphs (people and places), I found this very easy reading. The descriptions of the scenery were excellent at painting a picture of the setting. Interested to see where it goes with the elf maiden. I was surprised that they all went to sleep without anyone keeping watch for either predatory animals or hostile humans.

It was mentioned that Lavrans was married at a young age and was 28 when he arrived at Sil. It's not entirely clear how old he was when he married but given that this is set in medieval times, it would surely have been normal to have been married at a young age and not unusual at all to have a 7 year old child by the age of 28.

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CutFlowers · 07/07/2025 22:49

Enjoyed it too. Great characters.

Benvenuto · 07/07/2025 20:49

I’ve finished it & enjoyed it too.

CornishLizard · 07/07/2025 20:42

I’ve made a start! There was something of a fairytale quality to the chapter. The semi serious belief in trolls, goblins and elves reminded me of Sarah Moss’ memoir of Iceland.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 07/07/2025 09:38

Chapter one done! I enjoyed it.

TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 09:17

Read-along starts today - all welcome.

Sadly, I haven't been able to find a free study/guide to accompany the read as shmoop has not done KL. Supersummary has a guide (but it's not free).

Fortunately, Chapter 1 is easy to follow once you get past the opening paragraphs which are a confusion of people and places. Look forward to chatting once everyone has read Chapter 1.

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TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 08:59

Welcome cornflakegirl

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cornflakegirl · 07/07/2025 06:51

I'd like to join please. Just ordered my copy so I'll catch up with you by the end of the week.

Buttalapasta · 07/07/2025 06:41

Benvenuta Benvenuto!

TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 06:39

Welcome Benvenuto

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Benvenuto · 06/07/2025 22:57

I would like to join (& have my copy).

CornishLizard · 06/07/2025 17:53

Thank you Time, I’m looking forward to this. I have the edition in your photo with the jagged edges.

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