Kristin Lavransdatter read-along | 2025

Am all caught up with the thread. Alas, not with the book, I’m still in part II but hoping to catch up over the few days.

I have to say I am still finding this a struggle, but all the discussion and commentary is really helpful and I’m determined to make it through the trilogy.

It's not so much that I'm impressed more that I feel he can't really act any other way. I don't feel there is any malice in his decisions, even the bad ones.

Astonished that others are impressed by Erlend! He's completely destroyed his son's futures and lost everything from thoughtless actions! He's living off Kristin now, and is swanning around letting her and Simon do all the hard work.

Kristin has gone off him big time, and I don't blame her.

I think Ramborg is trouble

I do think Erlend has worked out better than expected. I also thought his comments to Simon were quite ungrateful given how Simon had looked after Kristin and the family. Simon’s behaviour towards his oldest daughter is also quite a contrast to how Erlend treated Margret.

I think the situation with Simon and Kristin living as neighbours is not a healthy one as there is an unflattering contrast between how capable they each are compared to the other’s spouse. Simon is so much better at managing land than Erlend, whereas Kristin is so much better at managing her household than Ramborg is.

I also think that the way Simon still treats Ramborg as a child has the potential for trouble - although it was nice to read about Simon being so delighted to have a son.

Erlend is growing on me. He has his (many) faults but he is true to himself and has a great deal of courage.

Finished this week’s chapters this morning. I was greatly surprised that Erlend made it through, and that he wasn’t exiled. He certainly suffered though, and did so bravely and without giving away who conspired with him. He’s a funny set of contradictions. In many ways a man’s man: brave, reckless, willing to fight, successful with women, but no long term thought for how his actions will affect his family (particularly his sons) or Kristin. Still, he never complained.

Painful to watch Simon’s feelings for Kristin come to the surface.

I wasn't expecting anything that happened this week! Not sure if I missed any clues about the plot taking place - I was a bit distracted by the affair. Things not looking good for Erlend. I think the final book may be Kristin alone.

Also caught up. Hmm, things are looking dark for Erlend. Have to admit he is sort of likeable a lot of the time but has a gift for overestimating himself and not being very astute about others’ motives. It might all end very badly for him because he has bad judgement. Poor Kristin.

Finally caught up - not only the book but the very interesting observations on this thread!

I cannot really get my head around Kristin's obsession with her sin. It is described as like a pernicious weed, that you can keep pulling up but the white root is still twisted inside her (as someone who has an ongoing battle with bindweed in my garden I can relate to this analogy).

I guess part of it is because she feels helpless and unable to protect Margret, but confiding in Lavrans, and passing on that pain, towards the end of his life seems pointless and self-indulgent. What's the point of all that religion and confession/pilgrimage if you cannot draw a line and move on. Which is exactly what Erlend wonders to himself, and for this one point I tend to agree with him.

As for Erlend, as a PP said, he just hasn't grown up at all. He can't be bothered with anything grown up, avoids his parental duties and blames K when it goes sideways. He just likes going off on adventures with his mates, now he is benefiting from his lands prospering. He's not even that into his sexual adventure with Sunniva, and would probably rather be off fighting Russians, knowing that Kristin is keeping everything running smoothly at home.

I

I’m behind as we’ve been away. Just finished the chapters for last week, I need to catch up on this week. So I’m up to Margret’s marriage.

Erlend is appearing increasingly narcissistic- not taking responsibility, only concerned with his own reputation, always covered in the bling of the day. He has men swearing loyalty to him and thinks he knows how to run the country. Hmmm. He’s not improving with age. Whilst Simon, whilst still unattractive and now older, continues to be sensible and responsible.

It’s sweet the way Kristin now sees her parents. It’s interesting that she now sanctifies her mother a bit and berates herself for her own ongoing “sin,” but we know that Rangfrid’s inner life was equally tortured and Kristin would have known nothing of that. She’s doing herself a disservice really.

I should say that those comments were all about last week's chapters as I haven't got started on this week's yet...

Thanks @TimeforaGandT !

It's fortunate that Simon is not physically attractive as otherwise Kristin would definitely be regretting her choice. Ha ha, very true.

I was glad that Ragnfrid found peace at the end of her life - though she died young by modern standards, as I believe she and Lavrans were only in their 50s?

It's not pleasant to read about women being accused of sorcery. Though Erlend telling the archbishop that he passed the magic love talisman onto someone who continued to have no luck with the ladies was comical!

Kristin realising that her parents were actually people, and not just parents, was a powerful moment I think. It's true that when you become an adult and a parent yourself, it gives you a different perspective on your parents.

And every time my feelings toward Erlend soften a little, he does something else outrageous that makes me hate him again. It's not just the fact that he attacks and maims Margret's lover that is so awful, it's the fact that he is furious at another man for doing the same thing he did himself! Which Kristin points out to him. The hypocrisy is mind-boggling. And as you say TimeforaGandT, he then has the temerity to blame Kristin.

The text says of the Margret episode that nothing had ever humiliated him so deeply. What he cares for first and foremost is his own reputation. Yet realistically, no one has done as much to damage his reputation as he himself has!

I agree that Kristin's life isn't looking rosy. Her parents are gone, and she's the responsible adult now (as the title The Wife makes explicit).

I am also trailing as it was too heavy to take on holiday. I am catching up - and I am enjoying it!

I'm sorry I've fallen by the wayside.
I'm trailing along!

Sad chapter this week with Lavrans death.

I agree @TimeforaGandT that it would have been kinder on Kristin's part not to have told her father so much. They were reconciled by the end, however. He does love her unconditionally; he's a model parent in that regard.

@Benvenuto I agree that Kristin has a spiteful or non-angelic side, but maybe that just makes her more human.

neither Erlend nor Simon quite match up to Lavrans - as each has one aspect of Lavrans (Erlend the good looks and Simon the competence and status)
That's a very good point.

About marriage, I like the fact that this saga goes into such depth portraying different marriages. Medieval love stories in contrast usually stop once a couple is married; here we get to see the aftermath. It's another aspect of the novel's realism, I suppose.