I’m reading the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy (written by Sigrid Undset; translated by Tiina Nunnally) with several others.   The co-hosts Emily at Evening all Afternoon and  Richard at Caravana de Recuerdos have their thoughts (click on the links above), along with lists of other participants’ posts as they go up. 

I’m sorry to say that I didn’t like “Part II: The Wife” as much as “Part I: The Wreath” (my thoughts on Part I here).  I think this is based on a few things.

One is that perhaps trying to read a trilogy over three months is that it may be too much like having a nice, but sometimes annoying,  friend coming to visit for several long periods of time in a relatively short time frame.  The first time is kind of fun;  but then after that, each visit gets more and more annoying.  Kristin Lavransdatter is kind of like that. 

Secondly, I really was not in the mood (and probably usually not) to keep reading about Kristin constantly agonizing over her sins.  You see, she and her husband Erlend had conceived their first child before marrying.  I honestly think that this was a common fact of life –and relatively acceptable–  back in those days.  I don’t know too much about the history of the Catholic church; perhaps in Kristin’s era this is when the church started really frowning on pre-marital sex and laying the guilt on those who had it. 

Also, I continue to think that this trilogy is male-centric.  After all, Kristin and Erlend have seven sons by the end of Part II!  I can understand why there were so many children one right after the other (because of a lack of birth control)….but why did the author chose to have them all boys?  Perhaps in Part III, I will find out.  I was unable to keep track of them all; it felt like I was perusing an IKEA catalog sometimes!

There is much in the book about Erlend wheeling and dealing with other men; and not too much about Kristin other than her guilt and birthing sons.

Because Kristin can’t stop thinking of her sins (I wonder if she wouldn’t have felt as guilty if she hadn’t been pregnant already when she married), she asks for advice several times.  Here is a passage that is typical of her thoughts and actions:

“Tonight it seemed to her that there was no help to be found anywhere.  Back home Sira Eiliv admonished her because she brooded so much over her everyday sins — he said that this was the temptation of pride.  She should simply be diligent with her prayers and good deeds, and then she wouldn’t have time to dwell on such matters.  ‘The Devil is no fool; he’ll realize that he will lose your soul in the end, and he won’t feel like tempting you as much.’  “

The writing/translation of Kristin Lavransdatter isn’t all that bad.  I just wasn’t really into Kristin and her problems this time around.  I hope Part III improves for me.

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