Undset, Sigrid

Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928

One of the greatest writers Norway has fostered, Sigrid Undset (1882-1949) made her breakthrough in 1911 with the novel Jenny . Her name will, however, always be most strongly associated with the trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter , which has been sold worldwide for decades. Her historical novels won her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928.

Sigrid Undset was born in Denmark, the eldest daughter of a Norwegian father and a Danish mother, and moved with her family to Oslo two years later.

Her first manuscript, a historical novel, was returned from a publisher around 1905 with the following words: "Never try a historical novel again. You're not capable of this kind of writing.You might try and write something modern. You never know!". In 1907 she made her debut with the novel Mrs. Marta Oulie, but the break trough came with Jenny (1911).

In 1920 Undset published the first volume of Kristin Lavransdatter, the medieval triolgy that would become her most famous work. Set in 14th century Norway, it depicts the conflict between freedom of the individual and his or her duties towards the family, the Church and society at large. Beginning in 1925 she wrote two books on Olav Audunssøn, also set in the Middle Ages.

Her contemporary novels are noted for frankness and depth. She was also a prolific essaysist on subjects ranging from Scandinavian history and literature to the Catholic church (to which she became a convert in 1924) and politics. During the Nazi occupation of Norway (1940-45) , Undset lived as refugee in New York City. She returned home in 1945 and lived in Lillehammer until her death in 1949.

To celebrate the fact that in 2007 100 years have passed since she made her debut, Aschehoug is proud to publish Sigrid Undset's Complete Works in 24 volumes. Five volumes of her fiction and one collection of her essays were published in 2004. In 2005 her famous trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter was added to the Complete Works, in 2006 the two books on Olav Audunssøn followed. The whole project is scheduled to be finished in 2007. Many of her essays and articles are now published in volume form for the first time.