Same old story

Halfway through Kristin Lavransdatter and the problem is no longer that it's boring, now it's that I'm starting to dislike the protagonist. I suppose I shouldn't blame her too much, since I think she's all of about 15 or 16 at this point so she's bound to make some boneheaded decisions. It's really Undset's fault for making the new love interest so unappealing. (I could also do without her reflexive hostility to fat people, but that's another conversation.) I want him to die in the war with Sweden before their romance progresses any further, but after bumping off her childhood sweetheart, that would seem gratuitous so she's not going to do it, dammit.

Also reading some Icelandic sagas and tales and loving them like always. Particularly Gísla saga Súrssonar, which I could easily have finished last night but I wanted to draw out a bit further. (I'll also need something to unwind with after finishing Bron/Broen, as is my plan.) It's got that tragicomic mix I love so much, though not as much entertaining taunting as in Vatnsdæla saga. Gísli himself is right up there with Egill Skallagrímsson for badassery. (I mean, nowhere near his equal, but close enough to put up a good fight if they ever tangled.)