pickAfter two months of chaos, finally having a chance to catch up on posting.
This book won‘t be for everyone with its frank discussion of the author‘s partner‘s terminal illness and death. She describes the uncomfortable experiences and feelings, including her attraction to another man during this period. Orstavik is confident in going to places many memoirs would not.
pickI finished Part 3 with unabashed tears streaming down my face and my husband sitting next to me giving me The Look I get when I'm being a little ridiculous. I managed to choke out, "It's futile but beautiful!" and really, I can't give a better encapsulation than that. It ended as it must, as I knew it would, and the novel's great world went on spinning - characters moving forward and a new snow falling. But I'll stay thinking about it for years.
It‘s women in translation month so I‘m picking this one up. It‘s translated from Norwegian to English.
pickBook 2 in this trilogy brings us inside Kristin and Erland‘s home life in the 14th century. Childbirth (so many children!), the death of Kristin‘s parents and the management of their property are all wearing Kristin down. And Erland isn‘t much help. In fact, he becomes involved in a political scheme that nearly does him in. Simon rises in every instance to help Kristin. Undset writes a great story. #KLBR @BarbaraJean
so-soI still love Undset's storytelling and the vivid, historic world she's conjured, but man, life gets real for Kristin FAST in this installment. Political intrigue and deep religious exploration abound, as well as the daily strife of having and raising children (the toll of her many pregnancies is heartbreaking and sobering), parental aging and loss, and the realities of a troubled marriage with an unworthy man. I.E. Erlend is THE WORST, the end.
A giant in Norwegian literature has just passed away, Ingvar Ambjørnsen, at 69 years
He wrote for everyone, the rich, the poor, the young and the old.
Growing up, I read his “Pelle og Proffen” series.
Later on he wrote the books about Elling, where the second book in the series was turned into a movie. The movie was on the shortlist for Oscar for Best Foreign Movie.
