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Images in a Mirror
Images in a Mirror is the story of Fru Hjelde, an actress who abandons in a burst of passion her successful career and marries a man with whom she had little in common. After the passing of ten years, Uni—as Fru Hjelde is called—finds that her husband and five children have become, not an impetus, but rather an intractable obstacle to a life of fulfillment. Eager for diversion, Uni finds the opportunity to expand her world after a chance encounter with a charming acquaintance from her past. First appearing in English in 1938 as the last of Undset’s modern background novels, Images in a Mirror takes the emotional trappings of a prosaic life—nostalgia, ennui, discontent—and casts them in such light that they become visible for what they truly the signs and signals of the human heart seeking its ultimate desire.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1917
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About the author
Sigrid Undset
242 books851 followersSigrid Undset was a Norwegian novelist whose powerful, psychologically rich works made her one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. Best known for her medieval sagas Kristin Lavransdatter and The Master of Hestviken, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928 for her vivid portrayals of life in the Middle Ages, written with remarkable historical detail and emotional depth.
Born in Denmark to Norwegian parents, Undset spent most of her life in Norway. After her father's early death, she had to forgo formal education and worked as a secretary while writing in her spare time. Her debut novel Fru Marta Oulie (1907) shocked readers with its opening confession of adultery and established her bold, realist style. In early works like ,i>Jenny (1911), she explored modern women's struggles with love, freedom, and morality, often critiquing romantic idealism and social expectations.
Though she gained recognition for her contemporary novels, Undset felt increasingly drawn to historical fiction. This shift led to her masterwork Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy published from 1920 to 1922, which follows the life of a woman in 14th-century Norway as she navigates love, faith, motherhood, and spiritual growth. With its intricate character development and deep moral themes, the trilogy brought her international acclaim and remains a cornerstone of Scandinavian literature.
In 1924, Undset converted to Roman Catholicism, a profound personal decision that shaped her later writing. Her tetralogy,i>The Master of Hestviken (1925–1927) centers on a man burdened by unconfessed guilt, offering a deeply spiritual and psychological portrait of sin and redemption. Her Catholic faith and concern with ethical questions became central to her work and public life.
A vocal critic of both communism and fascism, Undset fled Norway after the Nazi invasion in 1940. Her books were banned by the occupying regime, and she lived in exile in the United States during the war, advocating for Norway and the Allied cause. The loss of her son in the war deeply affected her, and although she returned home after the war, she published little in her final years.
Undset’s legacy rests not only on her historical novels but also on her fearless exploration of conscience, duty, and the human condition. Her characters—especially her women—are fully realized, flawed, and emotionally complex. Her writing combines psychological insight with stylistic clarity and spiritual depth, making her work enduringly relevant and widely read.
Born in Denmark to Norwegian parents, Undset spent most of her life in Norway. After her father's early death, she had to forgo formal education and worked as a secretary while writing in her spare time. Her debut novel Fru Marta Oulie (1907) shocked readers with its opening confession of adultery and established her bold, realist style. In early works like ,i>Jenny (1911), she explored modern women's struggles with love, freedom, and morality, often critiquing romantic idealism and social expectations.
Though she gained recognition for her contemporary novels, Undset felt increasingly drawn to historical fiction. This shift led to her masterwork Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy published from 1920 to 1922, which follows the life of a woman in 14th-century Norway as she navigates love, faith, motherhood, and spiritual growth. With its intricate character development and deep moral themes, the trilogy brought her international acclaim and remains a cornerstone of Scandinavian literature.
In 1924, Undset converted to Roman Catholicism, a profound personal decision that shaped her later writing. Her tetralogy,i>The Master of Hestviken (1925–1927) centers on a man burdened by unconfessed guilt, offering a deeply spiritual and psychological portrait of sin and redemption. Her Catholic faith and concern with ethical questions became central to her work and public life.
A vocal critic of both communism and fascism, Undset fled Norway after the Nazi invasion in 1940. Her books were banned by the occupying regime, and she lived in exile in the United States during the war, advocating for Norway and the Allied cause. The loss of her son in the war deeply affected her, and although she returned home after the war, she published little in her final years.
Undset’s legacy rests not only on her historical novels but also on her fearless exploration of conscience, duty, and the human condition. Her characters—especially her women—are fully realized, flawed, and emotionally complex. Her writing combines psychological insight with stylistic clarity and spiritual depth, making her work enduringly relevant and widely read.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 31, 2024
“We sit here around us shadows of the things that might have been and that might have made life rich for us both and given it a fullness which we now know it can never have.”
This is a slow-paced, melancholy, introspective novel about a former actress who has just had her fourth child, and is feeling taken advantage of by her husband and family. She meets a man she knew in her childhood, and they strike up a friendship.
Having read all three of the Kristin Lavransdatter novels, I missed the richness of Undset’s descriptions of life in 14th century Norway. Switching to the 20th century is bound to feel bland in comparison, and this didn’t capture me at all the way Kristin’s story did.
In fact I wasn’t sure this was going anywhere for a good part of the short novel, but then found the ending very touching. Undest explores some universal truths about relationships, family, and how we feel about ourselves as we age and must give up many of our dreams. The writing is very subtle, and I didn’t realize its power until after I’d finished reading.
This is a slow-paced, melancholy, introspective novel about a former actress who has just had her fourth child, and is feeling taken advantage of by her husband and family. She meets a man she knew in her childhood, and they strike up a friendship.
Having read all three of the Kristin Lavransdatter novels, I missed the richness of Undset’s descriptions of life in 14th century Norway. Switching to the 20th century is bound to feel bland in comparison, and this didn’t capture me at all the way Kristin’s story did.
In fact I wasn’t sure this was going anywhere for a good part of the short novel, but then found the ending very touching. Undest explores some universal truths about relationships, family, and how we feel about ourselves as we age and must give up many of our dreams. The writing is very subtle, and I didn’t realize its power until after I’d finished reading.
November 26, 2021
Within her beautiful writing Sigrid Undset cuts right to the heart of a woman and mother. I found so much beauty and truth in Uni’s struggle between her domestic life and her silent angst over losing all the things she “could have been.” What makes a person who they are? When do we become who we are, and do we know the moment all our deepest desires are met? Because it doesn’t last forever. How can we cultivate gratitude in our daily lives? Deep down, don’t we all just want to be seen? I have so many thoughts to ponder after reading this!
February 16, 2024
If I could give it a 2.5, I would. It had some relatable themes about motherhood but overall I was very frustrated with most of the characters in the book. I don't think there was one single character that I liked. It is hard to relate completely to someone, even if she speaks "some" hard truths about motherhood, if they are unlikeable.
January 1, 2025
Undset's (for her time) contemporary novels deserve far more attention than they get. You could set this book in current year United States and you wouldn't even need to change that many details.
August 1, 2024
Undset has such an intense understanding of human nature and describes things in such a way that she makes even the most trivial of stories a front on the battlefield between what means the most in life and what can take that all away from you in an instant.
February 23, 2024
I think some of Uni’s discontent could be due to grief over her lost child and postpartum depression. I think some of it is too much ruminating on her circumstances and what could have been. Vegard is awful and self-consumed. My favorite line is from Fru Bakke when she says “It’s so queer that there are some things that don’t seem to be the same if one has shared them with more than one person in this world.”
May 25, 2014
ok but set and written in the time around the world wars so the style is different then books written today
October 12, 2023
Loved it. Every book I read of her’s just makes me appreciate her talent more and more. Definitely recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews