42 pages • 1 hour read
The Wreath: Kristin Lavransdatter #1
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
305
Novel • Fiction
Norway • Middle Ages
1920
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Wreath by Sigrid Undset, the story follows Kristin Lavransdatter from her youth to her marriage at age 17 to Erlend Nikulausson, a disgraced aristocrat. She struggles with family expectations, societal pressures, and her own rebellious nature while experiencing love, betrayal, and loss. The setting is meticulously researched to authentically represent 14th-century Norway. The book references sexual assault and death by suicide.
Melancholic
Emotional
Romantic
Challenging
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
8,860 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sigrid Undset's The Wreath captivates readers with its rich historical detail and compelling protagonist. Undset's portrayal of medieval Norway is vivid and immersive, though some critics find the pacing slow. The depth of character development and exploration of moral complexities are praised, making it a rewarding read for historical fiction enthusiasts.
Who Should Read The Wreath?
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, nuanced characters and rich descriptions of medieval settings will appreciate The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. Fans of Kristin Lavransdatter and readers of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall or Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth will find this novel compelling.
8,860 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
305
Novel • Fiction
Norway • Middle Ages
1920
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.