Reading the Chunksters discussion

KL has won the poll! This is a HUGE book (set of books, actually), and I will try to set up a leisurely reading schedule soon. Has anyone read this before? Any (non-spoiler) comments to share?

who will be joining?

Sorry, can't help with words of wisdom as I've never read this book before, but I'm excited to join in!

Andrea wrote: "Sorry, can't help with words of wisdom as I've never read this book before, but I'm excited to join in!"

I have heard about this book being amazing for YEARS. But the size always intimidated me. I am glad I will be joining you all to read it!

I have had this book since 2013 and am looking forward to reading.

Wow 1168 pages ! Had never heard of it and now that I've read the good read blurbs - it sounds interesting - I don't mind long books as long as they're engaging (having recently tackled on my own Moby Dick and Anna Karenina. With AK - I learned that the right translation makes a big difference

Dianne wrote: "KL has won the poll! This is a HUGE book (set of books, actually), and I will try to set up a leisurely reading schedule soon. Has anyone read this before? Any (non-spoiler) comments to share?

who..."

Any advice on translations will be greatly appreciated. I can get ebook editions from my library of either of the two translations mentioned by Wikipedia in this passage:

Kristin Lavransdatter was originally translated into English by Charles Archer and J.S. Scott in the 1920s. The choice of archaic and stilted English phrasing ("thee", "I trow", "methinks" etc.), intended to reflect the 14th-century setting of the novel is considered by critics today to cloud Undset's clear prose, rendering it unnecessarily formal and clumsy. In some instances, Archer's choices are deliberate reflections on the original language (for example 'I trow' adopted from the Norwegian 'tror' meaning "to believe"). With this in mind, some may find the translation genuine, rather than needlessly archaic. It was also criticized for expurgations, as some scenes, particularly sexually explicit ones, had been omitted or edited. The quality and difficulty of the translation therefore impeded the adoption of Kristin Lavransdatter into standard literature of the English-speaking world.[2][3]

A new and complete translation by Tiina Nunnally was released by Penguin Classics in 2005, and is considered by many critics to be the superior of the two, particularly for its clarity, reflective of Undset's "straightforward, almost plain style."[4] For her translation of the third book, Korset (The Cross), Nunnally was awarded the PEN Translation Prize in 2001

Dianne wrote: "KL has won the poll! This is a HUGE book (set of books, actually), and I will try to set up a leisurely reading schedule soon.."

What are you planning? One year? Or maybe two years would be better? [g]

Audible recently released it as one audiobook, whopping 45 hours. This is my go-to option with mammoth books like that!

I have the First Vintage Books edition of all three volumes. I have read them before but am looking forward to reading them with the group. There are sexual scenes in the book but rather than find them invasive and unnecessary as in many books, the addition in these seems true to the story and time.

I have my 3 books ready and waiting!

Each volume has 3 parts although volume 2 is bigger by 100 pages than the 1st and the last volume is approx 30 pages longer still.

I think a break at the end of each part would work. Maybe 1 part per week?

Since I nominated this I will try to participate as much as possible and am looking forward to it. Thank you Dianne for leading.

Everyman wrote: "Any advice on translations will be greatly appreciated"

I can't get hold of the Nunnally translation so am going with the Archer - I've dipped into it before and there are some jarring moments where the archaisms sound stilted and vaguely biblical. And I'll be relying on the group to fill me in on the sexual content which has been expurgated from my translation!

Everyman, why not take both if they're available?

I've just ordered the Tiina Nunnally translation in one volume ... at least I hope that's what will arrive! It has to come from the States to England but it should be here in a couple of weeks. Very excited to start! :)

Everyman wrote: "Any advice on translations will be greatly appreciated.

I read the The Bridal Wreath to start off which was what my library had in their electronic selections and it was fine. But the new Nunnally translation has been very well received so I recommended they buy them and they have. I'm about to start the next volume Kristin Lavransdatter, II: The Wife so I'll be able to compare.

Everyman wrote: "Dianne wrote: "KL has won the poll! This is a HUGE book (set of books, actually), and I will try to set up a leisurely reading schedule soon.."

What are you planning? One year? Or maybe two years ..."

Ha! I'd love to get everyone's opinion on this. I felt like with Dr. Z if people got behind a week they just abandoned ship, although that may have been lack of interest in the book. I'd like to keep a core group going throughout the entire book, and thought it might be helpful to have the reading schedule be slow enough that if someone is super busy one week and doesn't have time to read then they could catch up pretty easily the following week.

What do you all think? How many pages should we aim for a week? Depending on your answers, this could be going on for many months, which I am totally fine with!

Hmmm, I tend to read in spurts. I'd leave the book alone for two weeks or so, then sit down and read 300 pages in one day. So usually I do a lot of catching up, but without the stress. 70 pages a week would work fine for me.

As far as "The Wreath," it is in three parts of approximately 100 pp. each, so maybe one part per week?

I'm going to go with the nunnally translation

Oh, man. I really, really wish my reading load was a little lighter, and that I had a copy, because I'd definitely join you all!!

Happy reading.:)

Dustin wrote: "Oh, man. I really, really wish my reading load was a little lighter, and that I had a copy, because I'd definitely join you all!!

Happy reading.:)"

Dustin, get a copy and join late! we keep the threads open indefinitely :)

Dianne wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Dianne wrote: "KL has won the poll! This is a HUGE book (set of books, actually), and I will try to set up a leisurely reading schedule soon.."

What are you planning? One year? Or..."

Im probably going to be too far ahead to join in, but i find faster reads better so long as the book is good. I'm starting to discipline myself better but if a book read is too slow i can have read two or three other books between each section and it's easy to lose the thread and then my interest.

The first book for example was very enjoyable and i think i read it all on the same day.

Roman Clodia wrote: "Everyman, why not take both if they're available? ."

I'm going to have a hard enough time keeping up with the reading in just one edition!

Christopher wrote: "As far as "The Wreath," it is in three parts of approximately 100 pp. each, so maybe one part per week?"

Given the number of books I try to keep up with (plus I will be leading a discussion of Crime and Punishment overlapping with this book) and my vision limitations from multiple eye surgeries, that would be fairly aggressive for me. But that's just me; my limitations shouldn't dictate the reading schedule for everybody. Mine is just one response to toss into the hopper.

I've read it twice...once years ago and then again last year? It's not a hard read. Just long. It didn't reasonate with me, just meh.

Paula wrote: "I've read it twice...once years ago and then again last year? It's not a hard read. Just long. It didn't reasonate with me, just meh."

And yet you read it a second time?

I read it first when I was in my 20's. I often find that books I read at that age that I didn't like were books I loved as I matured and gained more life experience. So, I thought I might have felt differently 30+ years later. I still disliked the book, but my reasons were more developed.

And it's not like it's a hard read, so it goes pretty fast.

Paula wrote: "I read it first when I was in my 20's. I often find that books I read at that age that I didn't like were books I loved as I matured and gained more life experience. So, I thought I might have felt..."

Quite true, I've found that many times. I've also found that many books I've enjoyed when I was younger aren't very well written and are also sometimes full of unpleasant prejudices and outright bigotry which I was completely oblivious to when I first read them!

I am named (my middle name) after this book. Get the Tina Nunnally translation. Can't wait!! And there's an audiobook now???? Going to Audible to see!!!

I read this 40 years ago and it made a huge impression on me. I have often thought of rereading it; I hope it doesn't turn out to be one of those books I loved when I was younger that loses its luster when read as a more mature adult.

I'm going to get the 2005 Nunnelly translation on my Kindle. The older translation interests me (I'm very fond of archaic language) but the thought of sections being expurgated is unappealing.

Hey All.. first timer here.. I generally do not read such huge and difficult books but it was time I gave it a go!
So excited for this!!

Excellent so glad we have a good group!

Checked out the Nuunally ebook version from our library! So excited to get started... sounds like a fantastic read!

My book arrived today! I'll get started at the weekend I expect.

So Kristin get introduced as a young girl in the first pages. I can't imagine how the author an write another thousand-plus pages basically about one character! Or perhaps the title is misleading.

I haven't read this before but Everyman your comment made me flip to the back. Still Kristin. Don't do what I did though! I won't tell you why.

I ordered the newer translation so should be able to start next week. I thought I had a copy of the earlier translation but now that I think about it, I borrowed it from my mom and it probably was discarded when they moved out of their house. I hope I'm not sorry I chose this translation; this could end up being like the Pevear and Volokhonsky controversy in Russian lit.

I've continued reading and got a way ahead. I'll stop at the end of The Wife and wait for the scheduled start time for the last book.

I have to say without a full schedule it's harder to jot down notes to join the discussion in the future. I'll try to remember to post if threads appear, but can't be sure I won't say something out of place.

Are others still reading?

Hi rosemary! I'll try to post more of the schedule, I didn't think
People were caught up yet!

I got sidetracked but I'll take it up again this weekend.

Great drew! Me too. Who else is out there?

Me, but I've gotten behind.

I'm in but I got tired of waiting for the new topic,so I have moved ahead like Rosemary.

I'm still reading, just haven't had much to say. I finished Part One of The Wife and am not far into Part Two. It would be helpful to know the schedule so I can pace myself.

I am just starting part 2 of the wife. I waited back since I hadn't seen the thread for the second part. I could finish all the book by the end of September and start book 3 for October. Would this work for others?

That will be my plan too.

I am holding off on starting the third book so I can at least join in on the final part of the discussion.

Just so long as I get to read it before December as it's part of my three month reading plan for the Seasonal Challenge Group!

Book 3 in October would work for me, or November - but it looks longer than the others, so an October start would suit me better. Like Nicola, I need to finish by the end of November for a challenge.

Sounds like a plan! Book 2 to be read by end of September and book 3 for October.

Tracey wrote: "Sounds like a plan! Book 2 to be read by end of September and book 3 for October."

Perfect! I meant to start book 2 over the weekend but there wasn't much reading time. Next weekend, though, I will be taking a trip that involves air travel so should be able to read the entire book.

Tracey wrote: "Sounds like a plan! Book 2 to be read by end of September and book 3 for October."

I just posted the full schedule and built on a couple extra weeks, hope that is ok!