Marta Oulie

In Marta Oulie, a young woman confronts the constraints of marriage and seeks true passion, navigating the complexities of her inner life in early twentieth-century Norway.

Written in diary form, Marta Oulie offers an intimate glimpse into the inner life of a young woman grappling with the constraints of marriage and yearning for genuine passion. Set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Kristiania (now Oslo), this novel serves as a profound psychological exploration of a woman's fate, shaped by the evolving societal norms of her time. As the protagonist navigates her disappointments and desires, she finds herself on a path toward a darker reckoning, revealing the complexities of her emotional landscape.

The opening line of Marta Oulie—I have been unfaithful to my husband—created a stir among Norwegian readers when it was first published in 1907. Sigrid Undset's ability to portray modern women with both empathy and unflinching honesty earned her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928, making her one of the youngest recipients and only the third woman to receive this honor. Her candid depiction of a young woman's romantic struggles, which she described as the immoral kind, resonated deeply with readers and contributed to the novel's immediate success in Norway.

Despite the acclaim of Undset's later works, Marta Oulie has remained untranslated into English until now. Tiina Nunnally's award-winning translation captures the poignant essence of Undset's original Norwegian prose, allowing contemporary readers to experience the stark emotional truths of Marta's journey. This novel is not just a reflection of one woman's life; it is a commentary on the societal expectations placed upon women in a rapidly changing world.