Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Kathy and Lesserknowngems, do the two of you still want to read this? Anyone else like to join?

This book Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset is published as one giant chunkster, but also published as three separate novels that are approximately over 300 pgs. These titles are:

1) The Wreath

2) The Mistress of Husaby

3) The Cross

I will probably need longer than one month to read these--and I have the three individual titles in dead tree edition, so this will slow my reading.

This book works for bingo too: 1) Nobel Prize 2) Cassic of Europe 3) New to me author.

Yes, but I am going to nominate it for the 2nd Quarter Long Reads -- if it wins there I'll start in April. If it doesn't win I will probably start reading in March. I'm thinking at least one month per book -- so three months for me.

March: Book 1 The Wreath
April: Book 2 The Wife
May: Book 3 The Cross

Although I have all three books in one cover: Kristin Lavransdatter

I committed to read The Wreath for my Bingo challenge this year, but if we do it as a buddy read or a long read choice I may get further...
I'm in either way...the fact that the end is in sight for me reading Middlemarch has me optimistic!

Yes, I am going to read this. Yeah, we finally have some interest in it. I will be voting on it for the 2nd Quarter Long Read and if it doesn't win that I will start it in March. And I am definitely planning on it being a 3 month read for me.

Maanav, once the BOTM polls go up, please don't forget to vote for whatever looks good to you, but "Kristin Lavransdatter" will be among the choices up for a vote for the 2nd quarter long read.

Looks like a buddy read will be the choice for us -- starting in March with me anyone?

Please use spoiler tags, as with a buddy read we like to keep everything in one thread. And let us know what book, The Wreath, The Wife, or The Cross that you are reading and what chapter also. That way we will know whether or not to open the spoiler.

Sigrid Undset



Sigrid Undset (20 May 1882 – 10 June 1949) was a Norwegian novelist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928.

Undset was born in Kalundborg, Denmark, but her family moved to Norway when she was two years old. In 1924, she converted to Roman Catholicism. She fled Norway for the United States in 1940 because of her opposition to Nazi Germany and the German invasion and occupation of Norway, but returned after World War II ended in 1945.

Her best-known work is Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy about life in Scandinavia in the Middle Ages, portrayed through the experiences of a woman from birth until death. Its three volumes were published between 1920 and 1922.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigrid_...

I would love to read this with you all.

I did my part to vote for this for April, which is a better month for me to start this. Considering that I'm still not done with Middlemarch, it may take me a while to get through this but as of now, I will be trying. Even if I lag behind or can't start til late, I will come back to this thread to read comments.

This looks like a great read that I am so thrilled you've introduced me to!

Kathy wrote: "Looks like a buddy read will be the choice for us -- starting in March with me anyone?

Please use spoiler tags, as with a buddy read we like to keep everything in one thread. And let us know what ..."

Yes, it does appear that way. I will do my best to start as soon as I can. I am really looking forward to it. :)

Kathy wrote: "Sigrid Undset



Sigrid Undset (20 May 1882 – 10 June 1949) was a Norwegian novelist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928.

Undset was born in Kalundborg, Denmark, but her family ..."

Thanks Kathy, that was quite informative. It makes me excited about reading her other book, The Master of Hestviken, as well. All in due time, all in due time. ;-)

I have it on my shelf to read so I'm in either way, March or April

Katrina wrote: "I have it on my shelf to read so I'm in either way, March or April"

I'm sure we will be reading for a few months -- so join us anytime.

March in 3 days. :)

The first book in the trilogy is The Wreath is set at a time of transition in Norway: Christianity, which had been introduced in the late tenth century, was spreading, but the older pagan forms of worship and belief lingered.

A question, but don't open it until you are past Chapter 2 or so depending on your book. (Question from the publisher)

How does Undset’s description of Kristin’s encounter (view spoiler)[with the elf maiden [p. 19]—and Lavrans’ reaction to it—epitomize the collision of the old and new belief systems?

What other examples are there of the family’s inability to abandon age-old traditions and superstitions despite their devout Christianity?

For instance, what is the significance of Fru Aashild’s attempt to cure Ulvhild when the prayers of the parish priest fail to work the miracle Rangfrid longs for (hide spoiler)]?

I have the three books in my desk at work.

I wish I had bk 1 home with me yesterday (Friday) as I am CNFing two books this weekend that I thought would keep me busy.

I can't start this weekend.

I'll be joining in, but probably not starting for a week or so...

Great Susie!

I'll be starting this week.

Glad to have you on board Susie!

Looks like we will have a great group of readers for this buddy read.

Hi, I won't be reading this with you, as I cannot currently get hold of a copy in Norwegian. At least not easily and affordably. Otherwise it would have been a great opportunity for me to try to actually get through it. I could have used it as a "classic from school". We had to read excerpts and I remember seeing the filmatisation at the movie theatre with my class. It was 3h long and I was so thoroughly bored. I just wasn't ready for Undset when I was 17.

But I have some links for you. First, the movie:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113576/?...

And secondly, Sigrid Undset is currently on the Norwegian 500kr bill, which is the second denomination bill currently in use in Norway. Click the link for image and description.

http://www.norges-bank.no/en/notes-an...

That's such a pretty bill. We don't have pretty money in the US. And we don't yet have a woman on any of our paper currency. For that we have to wait until 2020. And we don't know who it will be yet either. I bet it won't be an author.

Thanks for the links...I will definitely check them out...
Yes...even the Kindle version is not cheap, and I would usually get audio with these big reads, but no audio either...

Laurie wrote: "That's such a pretty bill. We don't have pretty money in the US. And we don't yet have a woman on any of our paper currency. For that we have to wait until 2020. And we don't know who it will be ye..."

We have another woman on the 100 bill. She was an opera singer though (and the first head of the opera), not a writer. The first woman on a Norwegian bill, however, was also a writer: Camilla Collett. That was in 1979. We do tend to put writers and other artists on our money. (Sorry, digression over.)

Thank you for the links Leni.

That bill is beautiful.

Money in the US is so unattractive and confusing for foreign visitors, I think.

Hi Everyone,

I started reading the intro last night. It is really exciting to finally get going on it. Happy reading all!!!

Even though I have a stack of books two feet tall--just the ones from the library--I couldn't resist checking this out today.

I plan to finish Middlemarch in the next week, and then I'll start this. It looks really good!

Maanav wrote: "I bring good tidings. The book started off very well. I've read chapter one. I'll read chapter 2 tomorrow. Waiting for more posts to discuss."

I am in the same place -- Chapter 2 for tomorrow.

I plan on reading it over the easter holiday :-)

Julie wrote: "I plan on reading it over the easter holiday :-)"

Sounds like the perfect time.

I have just finished Chapter 2 and really like it so far. I am very much enjoying the way Undset writes; it feels effortless and has a nice, smooth pacing. This is not really what I expected - not sure what I di expected - but am glad about it.

Kathleen, I am so happy you have joined our excursion! ;-)

I am currently buried under a giant pile of TBRs, but am sorely tempted to let Kristin queue-jump!

Has there been any discussion as to which translation everyone is reading - there seems to be a long-standing one but also a more recent one...?

Darren,

I'll be reading KL as three different books--Vols I-III.

I think the translators are Charles Archer and JS Scott.

I don't know about the quality of this translation, but it's what the library has available.

I have this edition:

I will be reading it in danish (which is quite close to the norwegian that Sigrid Undset writes in).

I have the same version as Andrea, also from the library, and mine are quite worn. Good for putting me in the mood for reading about ancient times!

I'm going to be reading with my mother in mind, who was born the year Undset got the Nobel Prize, and whose grandmother was born in Norway. I don't know if she ever read this, but do know she would have loved it!

Kathy wrote: "I have this edition: "

I am reading this edition as well.

I've just completed ch 1.

I figured out what Lavransdatter means. :)

I can't figure out (despite googling) what a "saeter" is.

I was really impressed (view spoiler)[with the description of the parish priest, how he lives, and his grandson "Tomas" fills in for his grandfather when he (the priest) is out perforning a call to the sick. The "baptism" of the pig was just hilarious. I posted part of the passage in my first update. I didn't expect anything amusing to happen. Undset has a sense of humor. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "

I can't figure out (despite googling) what a "saeter" is."

I haven't read chapter 1 yet, but from my usual experience with norwegian saeter (sæter) is a 'field' in the mountains. You would take your livestock there to grass. They also have 'sæters' in the Alps, there the word is 'seisser' I think.

Thank you Julie. I think, based on how the word was used and context, you are right.

I'm so glad I saw this! I downloaded this a month ago but trying to finish up another book quickly so I can get started with this. I am guessing that Lavransdatter means "daughter of Lavrans" but that is just a guess. I heard this is a great epic to get swept up in.

Amy wrote: "I'm so glad I saw this! I downloaded this a month ago but trying to finish up another book quickly so I can get started with this. I am guessing that Lavransdatter means "daughter of Lavrans" but t..."

Hi Amy, glad you are joining this Buddy read. Yes, you are correct in guessing that Lavransdatter means daughter of Lavrans. I am at 9% now and really starting to get into it. I, too, tried to clear my slate a bit so that I can devote the majority of my reading time to this book. I am discovering that I am glad that I did because it seems that this novel is going to prove to be quite rich, rewarding and satisfying. I look forward to the journey - wherever it takes me. ;-)

I am finishing up a biography on Rosemary Kennedy (SO GOOD!) and the book Going Clear about Scientology that I am 65 percent done with. THEN I will focus on Kristin Lavransdatter. I'm so embarrassed. I consider myself pretty educated in classics (I love them!) but hadn't heard of this until I saw it on some list on Pinterest. Then I went straight to Amazon and looked it up and so many women said it was a great epic, and emotional. So, I instantly downloaded it. I am also going to try knocking off One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest on one of the other challenges. Its pretty short and straight forward.

Amy, don't feel too bad. I hadn't heard of Undset or "KL" until people here started talking about it.

Btw "Cuckoo's Nest" is really good.

I'm excited to read both of them. I've owned the book for about 10 years and never gotten around to it. I do a lot of "aspirtaional book buying." I also call my love of reading "extreme reading"- reading all those long, dense classics that nobody seems to want to read or talk about.. until I found these groups!

I like "aspirational book buying" phrase! I buy more books than I can read too!

I'll have to borrow "aspirational book buying" phrase, if you don't mind.

Please do! After spending a lot on books I tell myself NO MORE until you read every book you own in the house.

:)

I have a few things to get to before this, I was also planning on using Easter to get to this as I have 2 weeks off of work so plenty of time to tackle the beast.

I also have the same edition as Kathy

Yes this is a great group to find "new" classics. At least ones that are new on my radar. I just finished Part 1 of the Book 1. Loving the read so far and it is going much faster than I anticipated.

I thought I would be able to start this week, but life has intervened, so it looks like I will be putting it off for at least a month. I'd rather wait than get started just grabbing a few pages here and there...
I also have a couple road trips coming up and there is no audio, so that's a bummer...

Instead, I'm diving into Sons and Lovers, a reread from high school...so far, so good... :)