This fictional novel, consisting of three long volumes, is the masterpiece of the well-known Norwegian author, with which she won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. She takes great care in every detail. It is set in the Norwegian 14th century. It shows the literary quality of Undset who is characterized by her accuracy in the reconstruction of medieval Norway, by a deep knowledge of the female world, the psychology of women and by her passionate love of freedom. She portrays the social situation of the time. It represents a time of excesses, sins, pain and love.
The author converted to Catholicism after the publication of this novel, attracted mainly by its humanity. After this work, she was considered a feared adversary of the radical feminism of her time.
The story narrates the life of Christina, from her birth, childhood, adolescence, marriage, birth of her children, maturity... It shows: love, passion, jealousy, envy, loyalty, betrayal, adultery, crimes, penitence, superciliousness, pride, repentance, vileness, nobility, wounds, generosity. It ends with a transformation brought about by charity. Cristina has an indisputable moral greatness.
It is an enjoyable novel, but it is not easy to read because of the amount of information it provides, and the amount of details it narrates. It is a great book of Christian literature.