Translated from the Norweigian by Tiina Nunnally
Kristin Lavransdatter is a three part coming of age story in fourteenth century Norway. The introduction written by award-winning translator Tiina Nunnally spoke of Sigrid’s love for historical fiction. As a writer, it is what she wanted from the very beginning. Her first book was to be a historical fiction piece, until she was advised to move away from the genre, citing that it wasn’t her strong-suit. She is certainly vindicated then, for having written toward the end of her writing career and winning the Nobel Prize in Literature for it. The descriptions of Norway are heavenly and immerse you in the simple yet rewarding life of Kristin’s home town of Jørundgaard. Never before have I read anything taking place in or discussing Norway, everything was adequately explained without distracting from the storyline.
The story of the Wreath follows Kristin from childhood into young adulthood. It introduces the reader to Kristin’s tight-knit family. She is the daughter (datter) of Lavrans, a hardworking and respected man in his community and Ragnfrid, a woman depressed by the children she has lost and the sins that she hides. Kristin’s upbringing isn’t very strict but she is willing to learn and to listen.
She spending time with the monks, reinforcing the religious upbringing that her parents strive to teach. I was greatly intrigued by the religious convictions of the community. Though the Pagan ways still lingered in Norway, Kristin’s family relied on their new religious faith. However, when Kristin’s sister Ulvhild is in a terrible accident, barely leaving her alive, it is Pagan medicine that the family seeks out when the prayers of the monks seem to do little good. Undset captures this time of religious transition perfectly.
It is also during this time that Kristin’s betrothal is arranged to the son of a wealthy family, Simon Darre. Betrothals being common during this time, it isn’t odd to see that Kristin’s future has been arranged to the benefit of her family and her stature in society. The first part of the novel highlights her innocence but also her small moments of defiance toward the things she has been taught.
Kristin’s story changes when the boy she grew up with, Arne, is leaving the village to find work. Arne asks her to meet him on the road to say goodbye to her lifelong friend, in love with her. She sneaks away and watches him leave until he is out of sight. Then comes Bentein Prestesønn, drunk on his horse, who has seen Arne leaving and Kristin crying and assumes that she has come to say goodbye to her lover. It is in this moment that Kristin loses some of her naiveté; Bentein tries unsuccessfully to rape her.
After this night, her confusion about her innocence and guilt increases. However, both her parents and betrothed find out. When Kristin says she is unsure if she is a maiden after Bentein’s assult, her betrothed laughs and says that if she were not, she’d remember. But he is sympathetic to her, giving her no blame. I know that Kristin never loved Simon and it is truly a shame. I realize that it is hard to love someone you did not choose to marry but the effort he makes to win over her family, time spent with her father and respect he treats her with, endear him to me. Instead of endearment, Kristin seems to push him away.
After the attempted rape, it is decided that she spend a year living in a convent – learning obedience and love of god. Ironically, it is in a house of god that she goes astray, meeting Erlend Nikulaussøn and losing her maidenhood to him. Their romance seemed too hasty to me. I remember dearly the love that I thought I felt when I was Kristen’s age but it was never so quick to appear. Upon the second time that they meet, they swear to each other that they will have no other partner for as long as they live.
It is here that I begin to like Kristin less than in the first part of the novel. It makes sense for her to be this way but I would have been more invested in their relationship, perhaps even rooted for them, had Erlend not taken her maidenhood in their third or fourth meeting. His sordid history makes him an unreliable partner. It seems as if he is following in the path of his aunt Aaashild whose sexual affairs have unraveled her life. What is worse is that Simon still wanted to be with Kristin, knowing Erlend took her maidenhood, if she’d still have him.
When we reach the point where Erlend and Kristin fight with Eline, I am no longer sure about Kristin’s character. She admits that she wanted Eline to die, when she forced her to drink the poison. The innocent, religious girl whose mischief was barely worth noting has become a woman without morals, religious or otherwise.
After three years of fighting, she is allowed to marry Erlend. But by the time of the wedding, she has grown weary. Instead of radiating joy on her wedding day, Kristin can only think bitterly of the fact that she is already pregnant. However, nobody in her family knows and she is married with her hair loose and a bridal crown upon her head like any maiden would be.
I did not feel much sympathy toward Kristin’s predicament. Though she did struggle to legitimize her relationship with Erlend, it is at the cost of her bond with her family and their connection with the Darre family.
At the end, I wasn’t convinced that this love was worth everyone’s happiness. I wasn’t convinced that Kristin was truly happy with Erlend. But I am hopeful to see her character grow and to see motherhood change her. Maybe the love she felt for him will come back and be worth it in the end.
