Kristin Lavransdatter read-along | 2025

I have finished The Wife. I’ve been following the thread which is way more insightful than anything I have to offer.

Main thoughts without particular insight are:

• I continue to love Lavrans
• I like Erlend a lot more than Kristin
• I have really enjoyed the tone and pronunciation with the audio, although it was quite nice to finish up reading the chapters myself
• Awwwwww Simon
• 7 friggin boys!!!!

Will get started on book 3 tomorrow.

I have caught up with last week but not read this week's chapters yet. I am not sure if I am imagining it - but chapters seem to be getting longer. I agree it was interesting to hear more about the boys personalities.

Just finished this week's chapters. I am longing to discuss but will wait to avoid massive spoiler!!

Re opportunities for Erlend - I found the evolving politics later on interesting - it seems other noblemen have come to the same conclusion as him about the King, but as he says, won’t actually do anything about it. He was brave to lead the rebellion before (though an idiot to let slip the plans). I keep being torn between, maybe something will change and Erlend will regain his former status, or maybe he’ll just have a “stupid death” (like in Horrible Histories) because that would be just like him.

I'm also still behind. I'm on chapter 2 of the last part of book 2. I will get there, but I am still finding it less compelling than others - and am keeping up with the thread as overall, it isn't a hugely spoiler based tale.

I did really enjoy the dialogue during the illness and death of Lavrans, everything from his chats with Rangfrid to Kristin. I will miss Lavrans.

Perpetual nonchalance - it's exactly the phrase that leapt out at me. It's clearly driving Kristin to distraction, and now she has lost Simon's steady support and advice.

Erlend just lives in the moment, and makes no plans for the future at all. We have a friend just like that but amazing opportunities just keep falling into his lap, so maybe this will happen to Erlend too.

Morning kinswomen! I finished last week’s chapters this morning. I am also tend to read them all in one go as to be honest I find it hard to put down once I get going. I am still really enjoying it.

Poor Simon, for such a grown up responsible man, he often lacks real self awareness, or has been repressing his feelings so hard that as someone said, it’s a dam burst when they come out. He resembles the late Lavrans quite a lot in that he doesn’t really understand the easy sexual relationship that has been the real bond between Kristin and Erlend. Or perhaps he does a little - when he was observing Erlend at the property negotiation he almost seemed to find him attractive, and resented it badly.

Confession time - despite Erlend’s “perpetual nonchalance,” I liked that phrase from Kristin, it’s her way of thinking about his eternal uselessness - I did find him pretty hot during the fight scene! 😳 And before that, when he solves the problem with the land dispute with his knowledge of law and contracts etc. It’s competence porn - he was v capable at both! Shame he can’t be as capable in other areas if his life!

Agree it’s fascinating to see the boys grow up. Who thinks Naavke got that girl pregnant and she made up the rape story? Perhaps? Hard to tell. But it’s interesting how hard Kristin pushes her away given the parallels with her own youth.

I'm a bit behind as well, just starting book three. I'll contribute to the discussion again when I'm up to date. Thanks for keeping the thread going!

Apologies kinswomen, I just haven’t been able to keep up with this one. Not the book’s fault as I’m enjoying it but my reading time has plunged recently. I am still reading (actually listening) when I can, and really enjoying reading the thread, but have only just finished book 2.

Is everyone still on track? I am finding it quite hard to not fall behind or get too far ahead. I think with three chapters a week it is quite hard to work out when to post. Will try to do better!

I've just finished this week's chapters - lots to think about but I really loved the last few pages with Kristin realising how her children have grown, how she has aged and wanting to claw back a few precious moments with her youngest child before he too is grown up and gone from her sphere of influence. Really touching.

Anyone else think trouble is brewing between Simon and Ramborg?

Just to add to my previous post, I also noticed how the opening of this book parallels that of the Wreath. Just as Lavrans moved to this estate, so does Kristin. She goes to the high pastures - again just like Lavrans. Andres’s illness parallels what happens after Ulvhild’s accident with Kristin in the role of Fru Aashild.

I should also say that I really enjoyed the opening of the book.

Thinking a bit more about Erlend, I think that for much of the book he has been better than expected (although admittedly my expectations for him were very low). He has managed to work & gain some respect and I took Lavrans’ warmer feelings towards him as a barometer of how well he was doing. As said, he is also brave (important in a medieval man) and more faithful than expected.

However, that has to be set against failing to provide for his family and losing the family estate really is a failure. Even before that, there were references to him frittering away part of his inheritance despite Kristin’s efforts to build it up. Then, when they move to Kristin’s estate, he makes no attempt to improve it through farming or to train his sons to make the most of their new rank - he just takes them hunting instead. At the same time, Kristin is aware that while her sons will have to share in her estate, Erlend’s illegitimate son will be much richer.

I agree that with the comparison between Ramborg and Erlend and it is noticeable that Kristin thinks that Ramborg hasn’t really grown up and Simon makes a comparable observation about Erlend reflecting that he will soon be old.

It’s also telling that Kristin is now thinking that Simon is the man who hasn’t let her down and she is willing to make the churchyard ritual for him due to that - and that she can now see why Lavrans liked him so much.

I agree with you totally @TonTonMacoute - but he also reminds me very much of a dear family member - very charismatic but also pretty bad at making good decisions. I think his stoicism and loyalty when faced with torture made me sympathise with him a little more as I feel it makes up (in a very limited way!) for his utter fecklessness.

No, he's not bad in that way and certainly not malicious but he is feckless and reckless! He is one of those men who through sheer thoughtlessness brings huge troubles on those who are under his protection. Kristin has entrusted everything to him and he's messed up big time. He rushed headlong into a stupid and dangerous plot, and no one had any idea until he was arrested!
Again, in contrast with Lavrans who has made sure that Kristin will always be provided for. This is the only reason the family has somewhere to live.

Contrast also with Simon, who moved heaven and earth to save Erlend's sorry arse. He is clearly appealing and charismatic person, but he never learns and lets down those around him time and again - which to me is very unappealing

I'm up to date now having gone massively behind then racing ahead a little when on holiday.

I find the title of the second book 'the wife' so apt. Kristin has assumed the role of the wife completely, the reality of being a wife rather than a lover is portrayed really well. The kids come along and she has to get on with the chores and the disappointment whilst dealing with aging parents and bereavement. I suspect this is something that many female readers can identity with to varying degrees.