Kristin Lavransdatter
By Sigrid Undset, Tiina Nunnally & Brad Leithauser
- Release Date: 2005-09-27
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
“[Sigrid Undset] should be the next Elena Ferrante.” —Slate
The turbulent historical masterpiece of Norway’s literary master
In her great historical epic Kristin Lavransdatter, set in fourteenth-century Norway, Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset tells the life story of one passionate and headstrong woman. Painting a richly detailed backdrop, Undset immerses readers in the day-to-day life, social conventions, and political and religious undercurrents of the period. Now in one volume, Tiina Nunnally’s award-winning definitive translation brings this remarkable work to life with clarity and lyrical beauty.
As a young girl, Kristin is deeply devoted to her father, a kind and courageous man. But when as a student in a convent school she meets the charming and impetuous Erlend Nikulaussøn, she defies her parents in pursuit of her own desires. Her saga continues through her marriage to Erlend, their tumultuous life together raising seven sons as Erlend seeks to strengthen his political influence, and finally their estrangement as the world around them tumbles into uncertainty.
With its captivating heroine and emotional potency, Kristin Lavransdatter is the masterwork of Norway’s most beloved author—one of the twentieth century’s most prodigious and engaged literary minds—and, in Nunnally’s exquisite translation, a story that continues to enthrall.
This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition includes an introduction by Brad Leithauser and features French flaps and deckle-edged paper.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Reviews
Couldn’t finish
1By MetalmaJust couldn’t get into any of the characters, quit trying, didn’t finish.Could not appreciate the narrator
3By poiao liang moiI will be reading book instead. The narrator sounded like it was a generic computer generated voice American English. Might be my fault, in that I expected a Scandinavian accent or Brit English with some depth of humanness in it.Great historical story and writing
5By Ana LogI enjoyed the story and writing. The writing is fluid and flawless and helps keep the story moving. I also love the depictions of medieval life and times. Overall a great read and highly recommended.LOvethisbbook
5By LavransloverI read this book when I was in 8th grade. I have read it numerous times over the years. This is a truly remarkable book taking you to the roots of the Middle Ages. It is touching, heart-rending, romantic, compassionate, and relatable. It is one of the most masterfully written books I have ever read.