Olav Audunssøn

September 28, 2020
This sweeping epic of 13th-century Norway by Nobel winner Undset (1882–1949), the first in a tetralogy, sets a love story against the country’s upheaval. The bonds of kinship supersede the laws of church and state in Undset’s story, which begins with the betrothal of two children, Olav Audunsson and Ingunn Steinfinssdatter, aged seven and six. After Olav’s father, Audun Ingolfssøn, dies from an illness, Olav is raised by Steinfinn Toressøn on the remote mountain estate of Frettastein, where Olav becomes Ingunn’s foster brother and is expected to marry Ingunn when the children come of age. As young adults, Olav and Ingunn fall in love, only to learn that the dying Steinfinn is no longer in a position to protect the agreement he made with Audun. When the new masters of Frettastein refuse Olav’s suit for Ingunn, the young couple escape to seek protection from a bishop, setting in motion a series of dramatic events. Modern readers may chafe at the characterization of Ingunn as weak and “in need of the protection and support of men,” but Undset brings the setting to life with rich descriptions of the natural world, well-captured in Nunnally’s stunning translation. Those interested in Norse history will appreciate this modern classic of Norwegian literature.

August 29, 2022
The engrossing third volume of Nobel Prize winner Undset’s tetralogy of medieval Norway concludes the story of Norwegian chieftain Olav Audunssøn. Undset opens with the arrival of two men who invite Olav to captain their boat to England. Olav is grieving the loss of his wife, Ingunn, and decides to leave his estate. Their oldest son, Eirik, is heartbroken when Olav leaves him left behind, and the two men become estranged. In England, Olav faces a spiritual crisis and considers abandoning his estate and family. When he ultimately returns to Norway, he resigns himself to a quiet life. But when war breaks out, Olav’s spirit is renewed by a restored sense of purpose as he helps raise the countryside’s people against invaders. Though the many scenes of bloody battles and intense Christian soul-searching might turn away some readers, Undset keeps up a steady supply of beautiful descriptions of the land and sea, which Nunnally crisply conveys: “Ice still glistened and glittered along the slope of the fields facing north”; “from the wharf rose the strong springtime smell of the sea and tar and fish and water-soaked wood.” Fans of well-researched historical epics ought to check this out. (Oct.)
Correction: An earlier version of this review incorrectly stated this book was the final entry in a tetralogy.