The Wreath

Originally published in Norwegian in 1920, this first 1923 English translation was by C. Archer and J. S. Scott, now public domain. Kristin Lavransdatter is the daughter of Lavrans, a charismatic, respected nobleman in a rural area of Norway, and his wife Ragnfrid, who suffers from depression after the loss of three infant sons and the crippling of her younger daughter Ulvhild in an accident. Raised in a loving and devoutly religious family, Kristin develops a sensitive but wilful character, defying her family in small and large ways. At an early age, she is exposed to various tragedies. After an attempted rape raises questions about her reputation, she is sent to Nonneseter Abbey, Oslo, a Benedictine nunnery, which proves to be a turning point in her life.
Despite being betrothed to a neighboring landowner's son, Simon Darre, Kristin falls in love with someone else, but how will this dangerous romance develop?