It would be presumptuous of me to say that this is the greatest novel of the twentieth century. But I am not prepared to say that it isn't.

Someday I hope to come back and say why. In the meantime, here is a note that may help other readers to understand it: Norse law in the Middle Ages distinguished between two kinds of killing. Killing someone might be wrong, or it might be a case of a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. But the killer was under an obligation to announce publicly what he had done at the earliest opportunity. Killing someone and keeping it secret, on the other hand, was murder and execrated by everyone. For one thing, it deprived the dead person's kin of the opportunity to seek revenge or compensation; thus it was a form of theft, theft being universally regarded with horror.

(Others on the internet have noted that the parents of the heroine of Undset's other great historical novel, Kristin Lavransdatter, make a cameo appearance in this one. So does the saintly English monk Edvin Richardsson.)

A saga of a Norwegian family through three generations. If you have Norwegian blood in your veins you should read this book. ( )

This is not a Viking Raid. There's no lightning slash of blades with our heroes quickly away congratulating themselves on their initiative. This is Thomas Hardy's country, a slow mind-numbing grind-out of tragic destinies. Well done, and I suggest that there's gratitude due to the English translator, Arthur Chater. It seems to me that many Sagas from Iceland, that a visiting Norseman starts trouble, and here in Norway, it's that Icelander....'Just Sayin...' ( )

2414 The Master of Hestviken: The Axe The Snake Pit In the Wilderness The Son Avenger, by Sigrid Undset (read 10 Oct 1991) For years my response to the question"What is the best book you have ever read?" was "Kristin Lavransdatter," which I read as a freshman in college. So why had I never read anything else by Undset? I decided I should. During the reading at times I thought this a great book, but on balance I cannot award it any special palm. It is laid in Norway from about 1280 to 1350, and tells the story of Olaf Audunson, who is betrothed as a child to Ingun. There is murder, a stricken conscience, and much else in the story, which at times is engrossing but at times seems excessively contrived. ( )

Unlike Kristen Lavransdatter, this is a novel of weakness, in which the only hope of salvation is in turning to Christ. I admired Olav, and disliked the narrative twists with which Undset breaks his spirit. ( )