None Ofyourbusiness's Reviews > The Cross

Kristin's children mature and her circumstances alter significantly. She endures many losses as she grapples with her fall from grace. Her reckless husband, Erlend, narrowly escapes death after his treasonous acts against the king, owing his survival to the intervention of Simon, Kristin’s former betrothed. To appease the king, Erland and Kristin lose their estate and prestige, forced to return to inferior land with their seven sons.

As Kristin ages, she experiences the deaths of many loved ones, including some very close to her. She contends with Erlend until the end, left with a sense of regret for not appreciating him more. As her world shrinks, she becomes an old lady whose values are deemed outdated. She retreats to a smaller world and focuses on her relationship with God. The novel's threads converge, culminating in a powerful and harrowing final chapter.

The historical Norwegians confront religious guilt, exile, death, sickness, insanity, imprisonment, and obsession. The novel subtly touches on the intricacies of religious practice and the impact of Christianity on 14th-century Norway. It serves as a fitting conclusion to a remarkable trilogy, unveiling the complexities of maternal love and the conflicts that arise as children forge their own identities. It also explores the influence of Christianity on a world still emerging from paganism and the significance of the Church's teachings during the Black Plague.