The Master of Hestviken

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The Master of Hestviken is a tetralogy about medieval Norway written by Sigrid Undset, a Nobel prize-winning author. It was originally published in Norwegian as two volumes Olav Audunssøn i Hestviken and Olav Audunssøn og Hans Børn, from 1925 to 1927.

Contents

[edit] The Series

The Master of Hestviken series is of four volumes, which are listed in order below. Depending on the publication, each volume may be published separately or with one other volume. The latter tend to be the earlier printings.

[edit] List of characters

Main article: List of characters in The Master of Hestviken

[edit] Relationship to "Kristin Lavransdatter"

Sigrid Undset's arguably most famous novel is "Kristin Lavransdatter". Kristin's parents make a brief appearance in The Master of Hestviken, near the end of The Snake Pit. They are shown as young married people, playing with their baby son. They are a happy and prosperous couple at their first home in Skog, before Kristin's birth. Kristin's father Lavrans Björgulfson helps Olav Audunsson journey home when Ingunn is on her deathbed. Olav's unfortunate life stands in stark contrast to the happiness and good fortune of the young couple. Of course, anyone who has read "Kristin Lavransdatter" knows that Kristin's parents eventually lose all their sons in infancy, and suffer many other misfortunes and sorrows in their life.

[edit] Other Facts

  • Hestviken is a fictional mediaevel farm on the East side of the Oslo fjord. Its inspired by a summer cottages located in Hvitsten, near Drobak. In the 1920s, Sigrid Undset resided there for a brief period.

[edit] References

1. "The Master of Hestviken: The axe.--The snake pit.--In the wilderness.--The son avenger" by Undset, Sigrid, 1882-1949; [Translated from the Norwegian by Arthur G. Chater] New York A.A. Knopf, 1958. 994 pages ISBN: 0452260345