Kristin Lavransdaughter delves into the politics of the Nordic middle ages in terms of society and religion. This is vividly depicted through the daily life of different people living in different circumstances in the fourteenth century. The story however is much more than a journey back in time. It is for instance deemed to be on of the best portrayals of women in the literature of the western world.

It is about the girl who confronts that which is expected of her. The girl who follows her own will rather than conforming to tradition. It is a story about a girl who has been born to a wealthy farm but when love is concerned follows her heart rather then her wits - and about what the consequences of this turns out to be.

She is portrayed in all the conflicts which will inevitably follow. On another level this is all set into a larger context of major politics and struggles of power and of the fight between paganism and Christianity during the time when the Black Death swept over Europe.