at the end of the eve ~

[lookingland]

finished Gunnar's Daughter ~ hell of a story, exceptionally-told.

if you like historical/medieval fiction (this is medieval Norway), sigrid undset isn't foolin' around. i love the very subtle Christian undertones in this: a pagan people struggling with this "new" faith and you can see how they embrace it on a superficial level and fail to undertake the actual practice. i mean, i guess the book raises the question: if the characters had been able to embrace a Christian reconciliation, would their lives not have been such an incredible misery? this is a wonderfully cinematic book. someone needs to make a movie of it!

this is also a harrowing book on a lot of levels. the depth of the outrage and vengeance is frightening and Vigdis is one skeery woman (hell hath no fury indeed!). some of the images in this book are just incredible ~ and the final exit line of one of the characters ~ holy cow what a line! (no spoilers, man ~ READ THIS BOOK). i'm actually emboldened to maybe try her Nobel prize-winning Kristin Lavransdatter ~ maybe ~ hahahahaha

: D

Comments

[lastremnant.livejournal.com]

I have always wanted to read one of her books. Isn't Kristin Lavransdatter realllllllllllllllllllllllllllly long? :)

[lookingland.livejournal.com]

it is, but it's a trilogy, so you can read each of the three books separately. the first one is called The Bridal Wreath i think. they even sell the books in three parts (though you can take on the whole fatty if you want) ~

: D

[daregale.livejournal.com]

I must read it now! Kristin is my favorite novel.

The Christian-pagan dynamic is wonderful and complex in the trilogy. The characters revert back to older values at moments of crisis and you see how long the conversion of a culture really takes. And the priests are so alone in their deeper education and grasp of the mysteries. It's magnificent.

[lookingland.livejournal.com]

cool ~ i think i will check Kristin out after i take a little break after i read doctorow's March. it's excitnig to find something new and different to get happy about!

: D

[geckobird.livejournal.com]

I think I'll check her out sometime; she sounds like a great author! Hopefully, my library will have some copies of her books. ^_^

[lookingland.livejournal.com]

they oughta ~ ! and do check her out ~ i think you would dig her stuff.

: D