Allison Hurd's Reviews > Kristin Lavransdatter
Kristin Lavransdatter
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An impressive undertaking. I can't believe this hasn't yet been turned into a TV series--it's like three seasons of a period piece with so much content, drama, and simple truth, already all written.
CONTENT WARNING (a list of topics) :(view spoiler)
Things that were wondrous:
-The scope. This is the full life of a woman as a character study. In that study, all the lives she touches are also examined. She is not a woman who was any sort of firebrand but a normal woman in 14th century Norway, but her thoughts, concerns, joys and sorrows, what makes her unique are all very clearly written. You can feel exactly what it's like to have been this person.
-The secret life. This book was written in the 1920s about women who had sex for pleasure, about resenting being a wife and mother, unrequited love and all sorts of very delicate subjects that we struggle to discuss today. There's even a man who is meant to be gay! I was very impressed with the honesty of well-rounded characters.
-The style. I would not have assumed this was written 100 years ago. It all still felt like what I think many authors wish they could accomplish now.
Things that I didn't care for:
-Kristin. Unfortunately, I didn't like the person whose life we followed! Girlfriend is a drama queen. When everything is going well, she's abusive, cruel, and whiny. But the second her man knocks someone out for her or has his head in a noose, she's all "oh, baby, you know I love you, I'll die without you!" Ugh. The difference between high literature and a season of Maury seems to be time period it is about and written during, and long dresses.
-The contemplation. Oh my word we really linger on a lot of things, and one of those things is religion and sin. You'll hear about the first quarter of this book for the entirety of it. I was sort of surprised to see this much detail about these subjects, given how long it took to write a book at the time. You'd think there might be a bit of paraphrasing, but nope. The author was really committed to the bit.
I can see why it has received so many accolades. A really staggering undertaking with extremely nuanced discussions. But it's also a hefty series with enough melodrama for even the most voracious. If you liked Vikings or Downton Abbey, you need this book. If you don't care for shows like that, move along.
CONTENT WARNING (a list of topics) :(view spoiler)
Things that were wondrous:
-The scope. This is the full life of a woman as a character study. In that study, all the lives she touches are also examined. She is not a woman who was any sort of firebrand but a normal woman in 14th century Norway, but her thoughts, concerns, joys and sorrows, what makes her unique are all very clearly written. You can feel exactly what it's like to have been this person.
-The secret life. This book was written in the 1920s about women who had sex for pleasure, about resenting being a wife and mother, unrequited love and all sorts of very delicate subjects that we struggle to discuss today. There's even a man who is meant to be gay! I was very impressed with the honesty of well-rounded characters.
-The style. I would not have assumed this was written 100 years ago. It all still felt like what I think many authors wish they could accomplish now.
Things that I didn't care for:
-Kristin. Unfortunately, I didn't like the person whose life we followed! Girlfriend is a drama queen. When everything is going well, she's abusive, cruel, and whiny. But the second her man knocks someone out for her or has his head in a noose, she's all "oh, baby, you know I love you, I'll die without you!" Ugh. The difference between high literature and a season of Maury seems to be time period it is about and written during, and long dresses.
-The contemplation. Oh my word we really linger on a lot of things, and one of those things is religion and sin. You'll hear about the first quarter of this book for the entirety of it. I was sort of surprised to see this much detail about these subjects, given how long it took to write a book at the time. You'd think there might be a bit of paraphrasing, but nope. The author was really committed to the bit.
I can see why it has received so many accolades. A really staggering undertaking with extremely nuanced discussions. But it's also a hefty series with enough melodrama for even the most voracious. If you liked Vikings or Downton Abbey, you need this book. If you don't care for shows like that, move along.
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Reading Progress
January 24, 2019
– Shelved
January 24, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
February 6, 2020
–
Started Reading
February 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
fem-author
February 9, 2020
–
3.0%
"It's beautiful, but I'm waiting for the plot or the central theme to present itself. Only 3 chapters in, so plenty of time to find it."
February 9, 2020
–
11.0%
"It's pretty and feels akin to period dramas I've seen and read. But my goodness, apparently any time a woman is without a man in shouting distance she's in imminent threat of rape."
February 10, 2020
–
15.0%
"Oh my. Kristen is an idiot. Getting Anna Karenina vibes but younger and dumber."
February 11, 2020
–
28.0%
February 13, 2020
–
44.0%
February 15, 2020
–
60.0%
"I'm impressed with the writing, the story arcs, the character choices and how like Downton Abbey this reads, though it was written 100 years ago.
But, confession...I am not much a fan of Downton Abbey and other epic historical dramas.
A stellar book, objectively."
But, confession...I am not much a fan of Downton Abbey and other epic historical dramas.
A stellar book, objectively."
February 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
classics
February 17, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Feb 08, 2020 08:34PM
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