Kristin Lavransdatter read-along | 2025

[TimeforaGandT]

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.

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

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.

For once, I am on track. Some interesting chapters this week.

The marriage hits its lowest point with Kristin unable to get over her resentment. I have some sympathy as I think she is hung up on the sin element because Erlend has never really acknowledged it (notwithstanding everyone at Husaby knowing about it) but is then irate when his daughter is treated the same way. However, I think Kristin would have got over it/moved on if she was happy in her marriage but Erlend is either away or useless when he is there and complaining about her always being pregnant and having small children - presumably he knows how and why that happens! It's interesting that although Erlend cheats, he doesn't enjoy it. It really is a childish knee-jerk reaction.

Ironically, we then seem to hit the high point of their marriage and it was touching to see that when it matters, Kristin is unquestionably there for Erlend and chooses him over the children. Whilst Erlend has shown questionable judgment, he is honourable in protecting others involved in the conspiracy. He is eternally optimistic in his outlook even when things look bleak.

Simon is as reliable as ever!

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.

With an uncertain future ahead for Kristin (and Erlend), we are reading the following chapters this week:

Chapter 6 ( pages 654 - 671)
Chapter 7 (pages 672 - 697)

Part 3
Chapter 1 (pages 703 - 713)

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.

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

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.

I think Ramborg is trouble

Lots of undercurrents and revelations in last week's chapters. I agree that Erlend has shown courage and stoicism whilst Simon has persevered in pursuing Erlend's cause.

It's sad though that, yet again, Erlend is putting pleasure before duty in taking his sons hunting rather than estate management.

I was very surprised to see Erlend released as I thought exile was his best outcome and was fully prepared for him to be executed (or die in captivity) and Kristin to turn to religion.

And this week we are reading:

Part 3
Chapter 2 (pages 714 - 737)
Chapter 3 (pages 738 - 751)
Chapter 4 (pages 752 - 768)

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.

Not impressed by Erlend but acknowledging that he he has borne his imprisonment and torture with fortitude. It doesn't make him any less reckless or irresponsible!

Beginning to think that Ramborg is the female equivalent of Erlend - it's all about the finer things in life for her and avoiding any responsibility.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Anyone else think trouble is brewing between Simon and Ramborg?

This week's chapters are:

Chapter 5 (pages 769 - 788)
Chapter 6 (pages 789 - 818)
Part II
Chapter 1 (pages 821 - 844)

I am lagging behind again having been away but aim to catch up today.

Back on track!

Kristin and Simon are spending lots of time together or thinking about one another and how things might have been. I feel trouble ahead.

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.

Emotions are running high. Are there going to be regrets about what has been said? It feels like a dam has burst for Simon. Haven't finished this week's chapters yet but interested to see how it unfolds.