Rating: 
Summary: Sweeping, beautiful, moving
Review: This is probably the greatest book I have ever read. It's over 1,000 pages long, but it's gripping throughout. It's ok to forget specific events, because the book is more about who the characters are than what they do. It's the life-story of Kristin Lavransdatter, a noblewoman in 14th century Norway. I really came to feel for her and for all the many characters in the book.The language is very medieval, which I found beautiful, and only occasionally hard to understand. Also, the Catholic Church and Faith are not represented cynically, but, instead, quite matter-of-factly (which was rather refreshing). After reading this book, I feel like I view life differently. My whole outlook towards the everyday (which was what this book was about) is changed. I now see, more than ever, the beauty and joy of such things as family and faith. I am very glad to have read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Life of a Medieval Woman
Review: This marvelous trilogy relates the story of a 14th century woman, Kristen Lavransdatter, from childhood to deathbed. What a journey it is. Kristen starts off raised by an adoring father and a distant mother. Her father betrothes her to the son of a neighbor. She quickly comes to like Simon, a kind, reliable young man who even adores children. She is quite happy until she meets the handsome, mysterious Erlend, who has a reputation for trouble after having children with a woman who was married at the time. Kristen falls deeply in love with Erlend, and they begin a torrid affair. Eventually, Simon finds out; and Kristen demands he take the blame for ending the engagement, now too far along to end without scandal - in the selfishness of young love thinking only of Erlend's reputation. Simon agrees, in part because he's too nice - and wise - to force her to marry him now, and in part to protect Kristen's father, who he likes, from being forced into a duel with Erlend. Kirsten gets her Erlend just in time, as she is already pregnant. The years go by. Kristen makes peace with her parents before they die and starts to raise a family. Simon, not cut out for either celibacy or childlessness, marries twice - the second time to Kristen's sister - but ends up grievously wronging both wives because they're just substitutes for Kristen. As they enter middle age, Kristen has come to realise that the traits that made Erlend such an exciting lover also make him a less than admirable husband and father - and that it's Simon who has always been there in her darkest hours. But it's now too late, and she must live with the choices she made in her youth. She devotes her life to God and her children, who give her the same joy and pain she gave her own parents - and the circle of life completes itself. Beautifully written, this series turns one life into an epic.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful saga
Review: This trilogy tells the story of a young girl, Kristin, whose father has arranged for her to marry a man she doesn't know. She is sent to a convent to learn the ways of housewives, and falls in love with another man who has an awful reputation towards women. He leads her astray, but not by force, and she is ashamed and happy at the same time. She couldn't bear for her dear father to find out, for she fears that he will be dishonored, so she wears her garland of maidenhood for longer than is right. She marries her love, after she becomes pregnant with his child, and the story tells about what happens to them. Undset did a marvelous job with descriptions and the characterization of the people. I felt that I was sharing Kristin's pain as she struggled to find the righteous path. It is a long book, but it is well worth the time. You should definitely give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful saga
Review: This trilogy tells the story of a young girl, Kristin, whose father has arranged for her to marry a man she doesn't know. She is sent to a convent to learn the ways of housewives, and falls in love with another man who has an awful reputation towards women. He leads her astray, but not by force, and she is ashamed and happy at the same time. She couldn't bear for her dear father to find out, for she fears that he will be dishonored, so she wears her garland of maidenhood for longer than is right. She marries her love, after she becomes pregnant with his child, and the story tells about what happens to them. Undset did a marvelous job with descriptions and the characterization of the people. I felt that I was sharing Kristin's pain as she struggled to find the righteous path. It is a long book, but it is well worth the time. You should definitely give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: This work is truth.
Review: Unequivocally five stars. Undset ranks with Dostoyevsky and Woolf in her ability to see into the human heart. This book is truth.
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