I've seen multiple people refer to Sigrid Undset as the "Norwegian Chesterton."I am not qualified to make such a claim. I have read just two of her books. Back in 2019 I read Stages on the Road, and I just finished Kristin Lavransdatter.
But having finished her epic novel, I can say it's a better book than any of Chesterton's novles.
Kristin Lavransdatter reminded me of the great 19th century novels that like. The leisurely pace, the multiple characters explored in depth - especially Kristin - the portraying of life as untidy and even the good characters as flawed; that all resonated with me.
A wonderful read.
I was amused to see that she was also apparently a fan of Chesterton. There is a story that before she. like Chesterton, became a convert she declared to a publisher that The Everlasting Man be translated into Norwegian, then did it herself. Her translation was published in 1931.
She had earlier lived in London for a year back in 1913, and I wonder is she ever ran into Chesterton somehow, perhaps even attending one of his lectures?
