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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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TimeforaGandT · 04/07/2025 13:50

Tagging all who have expressed interest in this read-along. Apologies if I have missed anyone.

@AgualusasLover, @Buttalapasta @cassandre @CornishLizard @CutFlowers @FuzzyCaoraDhubh @lifeturnsonadime @MotherOfCatBoy @NormaMajors1992coat @TonTonMacoute

Not sure @JaninaDuszejko whether you plan to re-read or not.

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FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 04/07/2025 14:26

Thank you @TimeforaGandT!
I'm looking forward to this. It will be different.

JaninaDuszejko · 04/07/2025 15:05

I'm probably not going to reread since it's just 18 months since I finished the trilogy. I will however drop in and out to see what you all think of it. See if you all want to visit Norway after reading it!

cassandre · 04/07/2025 15:54

Thanks so much @TimeforaGandT, I'm grateful to you for launching us off!

I'm also impressed by your use of the Norwegian Ø; I don't even know what that's called 😁

CutFlowers · 04/07/2025 16:42

Thanks so much @TimeforaGandT .

lifeturnsonadime · 04/07/2025 16:59

Great! Got my copy looking forward to it.

TonTonMacoute · 04/07/2025 18:03

Excellent thank you!

Will definitely not be reading it in Norwegian - reading the COMC in French was showing off enough 😀

MotherOfCatBoy · 04/07/2025 19:07

Thank you @TimeforaGandT - looking forward to this! Have just visited Copenhagen and am feeling all Scandi…

NormaMajors1992coat · 04/07/2025 21:06

Thanks @TimeforaGandT
Really looking forward to this

Scatterbugg · 05/07/2025 08:41

Checking in!
Is there a recommended version or does it not really matter?
My chapters were different to others sometimes with The Count

Thanks for the thread

Buttalapasta · 05/07/2025 08:45

Brilliant! Thank you. I haven't got my copy yet so I may have to catch up.

TimeforaGandT · 05/07/2025 09:40

scatterbug - I have bought the Tiina Nunnally translation (Penguin deluxe version in photo) as have some others. I think JaninaDuszejko recommended that translation over some others.

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Scatterbugg · 05/07/2025 10:22

TimeforaGandT · 05/07/2025 09:40

scatterbug - I have bought the Tiina Nunnally translation (Penguin deluxe version in photo) as have some others. I think JaninaDuszejko recommended that translation over some others.

Thank you very much - ordered and hopefully here soon (I'll catch up if needed)

JaninaDuszejko · 05/07/2025 11:24

Yeah, there are two translations. The Tiina Nunnally one is a modern translation and is complete. The older translation (1920s) is by Archer and Scott, is written in archaic language and has several excisions.

TimeforaGandT · 05/07/2025 11:30

Thanks Janina - was sure that was why I bought my version as you had previously mentioned this.

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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.

Benvenuto · 06/07/2025 22:57

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

TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 06:39

Welcome Benvenuto

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Buttalapasta · 07/07/2025 06:41

Benvenuta Benvenuto!

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.

TimeforaGandT · 07/07/2025 08:59

Welcome cornflakegirl

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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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FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 07/07/2025 09:38

Chapter one done! I enjoyed it.

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.

Benvenuto · 07/07/2025 20:49

I’ve finished it & enjoyed it too.