Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
--A spellbinding mediaeval Norwegian soap-opera, 5 April 1999
By A Customer
This three-volume novel translated from Norwegian (Vol I; The Garland; Vol II: The Mistress of Husaby; Vol III: The Cross) follows the fortunes and misfortunes a woman of 14th century Norway who in her youth marries in haste, a handsome and charming rascal; and spends the rest of her life repenting not at leisure, but in the endless and exhausing responsibilities enjoined upon her by her foolish choice--something, alas, too many women can relate to in any century. That said, the three volumes follow her from headstrong youth through responsible maturity, to wise old age. Forced to accept full responsibility for her early mistakes, Kristin struggles with the age-old moral challenges of an unhappily married wife who is also a devoted mother. She strives-- not always successfully--to measure up to a Christian ideal of moral worth, honour and courage. If there is sorrow in this woman's life, there is to temper that the awesome dignity and spiritual nobility attained by one who realized that the greatest work of anyone's existance is the life-long labour of developing a moral compass, a good character and being of service to one's fellow-man. The characters are complex and engaging, the Nobel-prize-winning author's understanding of human nature profound. Though the historical detail is breathtakingly vivid, and the images of Norwegian landscape and culture will haunt the reader ever ater, this work will be remembered less as a historical novel than as a testament to the timeless greatness of the human spirit seeking wisdom and goodness despite adverse circumstances.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book ever written?, 27 May 2008
I believe so. If you are passionate about books you have got to read this one. Simply read the reviews from others who have read it - they are all five star reviews. I own a bookshop, read prolifically, have a personal collection of about 3000 books but this is by far my favourite. It is unique. It covers the life of Kristin from childhood to her death. The richness of her life as a child, her relationships, especially with her father Lavrans, friends, her husband Erlend and her seven sons are woven within the beliefs, customs, superstitions and folk tales of the Norwegian landscape in the 14th century. The Picador version, which incorporates all three books of the trilogy is in my view the best translation and mine is so worn, being testament to the amount of times I have read the book or just picked it up to read a chapter or two. I am passionate about many books but the magical quality of the text in this saga is so rich it sets this book apart. It is not only a pleasure to read it is so inspiring.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent read, 27 Jul 1999
By A Customer
I have read this book for the first time 7 years ago, it was one of the first historical books I read. Since then I am a devoted fan of any well-written historical fiction and also re-read the book several times. If you are after a book full of vivid personages, splendid scenery, ever-living passion, joys and tragedies of human lives, the book is for you. This is the kind of historical fiction that proves that despite centuries between our times, despite religious beliefs, humans loved, breathed and suffered 500 and more years ago.
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