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Summary: Maiden, Mother, Crone...
Review: I first read this at fourteen, sunk in fascination for King Arthur and Guinevere. It was with a great deal of confusion later that I discovered that, for a lot of people, this book had been a seminal moment in their lives, because, sadly, I barely remembered it.I recovered it (ahem) years later, to reread in preparation for the upcoming TNT miniseries, and discovered that the world from older eyes was much richer... even though there were basic flaws in the storytelling. The first half of the book is slow but enthralling, the fabric is full of threads of gold and silver and you walk slowly through it to enjoy the surroundings. But after a certain point, particularly when our main touchstone, Morgaine, is no longer in the center of Arthurian politics, the book begins an endless drag to the final end. But the storytelling is so fascinating and the characters so complex (with the exception of Bishop Patricius, of course; one of my main complaints) that you immerse yourself in the book more than read than it. Bradley managed to not only deal well with the cast of thousands Arthurian legend supplies us with, she even formed multiples of some stock figures because she needed more (Viviane, Niniane and Nimue are all forms of the same name, for instance). And why hadn't any other writer made the connection between The Lady of the Lake and Lancelot du Lac?
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Summary: Book Review for Mists of Avalon
Review: The novel The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley has an extremely complicated and confusing plot and/or story line. There are many ideas and situations in this novel that require your full attention, concentration and focus to understand. The main character of the story is Morgaine. She is the daughter if Igraine and the sister of Arthur. Vivian who is the lady of Avalon or the priestess takes Morgaine and Arthur to Avalon. There, Merlin takes Arthur and Vivian takes Morgaine to learn sorcery and other things. This novel is basically about the lives of Morgaine and Arthur and what they each go through.
I enjoyed this book very much because it gave a story line that reflected upon the era in which it existed. It was nice to learn the lifestyle of a person living in Avalon during that specific time period. I also liked this novel because it had twisted characteristics like Morgaine and Arthur sleeping together and Morgass mothering Mordrid, Morgaines child, for his royalty. It had people betraying each other and much cruelty along with love.
I think this is an excellent novel to read despite its length. I recommend this for girls especially because of the fact that it is mostly written in a woman's point of view. Girls in high school should read this because it has issues in which we can relate to. I do not recommend this novel to anyone younger than the age of 14. The Mists of Avalon taught me a lot about the possibilities of life in Avalon. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to whoever is looking for a good book to read.
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Summary: Wow! A New Perspective on an Old Legend.
Review: This is a book on the legend of King Arthur seen through the eyes of the females who lived during that time. Most of the story is told from the perspectives of Morgaine (morgan la fey), Gwenwhyfar (Guenivere, that's the welsh spelling), Viviane (the Lady of the Lake, and Igraine. There are others, like Morgause and stuff. But those are the most important. The story starts when Morgaine was young and her mother Igraine was still married to the Duke of Cornwall, and the story goes from there to her and Uther's afair, Morgaine being sent to train as a preistess in Avalon, the rise of King Arthur, the incestuous night with Arthur and Morgaine which brings about his only son...which leads to many problems. The love between Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar. Camelot and the round table. All of it is here. And the story breathes new life into a lot of these. Such as the proposal between Arthur, Lacelet, and Gwenhwyfar. There is also a lot about religion in this book. The constant battle between Christianity and the old pagan religion. And at times, I would get really mad at these christian priests in the book who acted like *they* were higher than god himself. I also enjoyed how the Druid Merlin was wiser about Chistianity than the priests and the prists would always resond with a "The real interpretaions must be left to the priests" and the like. IT's ridiculous, especially since I know people like that for real. Anyways, if you want an exceptionally well written book about a classic legend, shown from a new perspective...pick this up. This book now has a place in my number three spot of favourite books of all time. Yes!
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Summary: King Arthur Lives in The Mists of Avalon
Review: Desire, mystery, adventure and deception -- these are a few of the many virtues that this epic novel holds within its grasp. The Mists of Avalon is the tale of the Arthurian legends as you have never read them before, from the vantage point of the women. The story is told primarily by Morgaine of the Fairies, Arthur's sister. The glorious tale is of King Arthur coming to power and his life-long struggle between the two religions he is bound to, the old ways of the Goddess and the new Christianity. While reading this book, the reader witnesses first hand everything that the Arthurian legends have to offer, from the crowning of King Arthur to the knights of his round table.
On the cover of the book, The Mists of Avalon is advertised as "the magical saga of the women behind King Arthur's throne", that that claim really does not do the book justice. The story is the magical saga of everyone behind and amongst King Arthur's court. The author does such a magnificent job of describing the characters in her book that it would shortchange them all to mention just the women. The reader gets such a sense that what and whom he is reading about is real and true that one feels almost like he is sitting in Camelot's Great Hall while Arthur and his companions dine on the great feast of Pentacost. Every detail of every event teems with life. Another reason to recommend the book is the thick entwinement of the characters' relationships with each other. While reading this book, one feels such a connection with the main characters as to truly feel their emotions. To get involved with the characters' lives in The Mists of Avalon is truly a privilege that no one who loves to read should miss. The one reason that anyone might disagree with this heartfelt recommendation is that some might think that there is too much detail in the book, that it is too wordy. This thought slanders the very essence of the book and the reason for what makes it so great. The Mists of Avalon is a book to be savored, not devoured. The bottom line is that this book has everything for everyone. If one loves adventure, you will find yourself right along side Lancelot fighting the evil dragon that haunts King Pellinore's lake. If you are a feminist, you will delight in the retelling of a story that historically is a tale of masculine dominance into one that gives the perspective that women will always rule over men, in some way or another. If one loves romance, you will be enthralled by the clandestine love affair between Lancelot and the High Queen Gwenhwyfar. And finally, if you are a person that loves a climactic ending, well, you'll just have to read the book to find out what's in store for you!
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Summary: A worthy re-telling of an ancient legend
Review: Having read Mists of Avalon, I felt immediately compelled, before completing it, to recommend it to several friends. In hindsight, I can say that I still recognize it as a worthy book but one that still has flaws that prevent it from being great in my opinion. In the book's favor, the idea of telling the legend from the women's point of view is fresh and interesting... to a point. I got tired of reading about who was trying to have a baby and give a son to a noble. It helps to drive home the point of how limited the woman's role was in some Christian lands but it still grated. I wish Morgaine had spent more time away from the simpering ladies-in-waiting and instead worked her magic and pulled the strings. On that note, Guinevere was the worst of the lot with her narrow minded religious bigotry and got tiresome. Some state the novel is historically inaccurate. Perhaps but Bradley weaves a spell that makes it seem real and encompassing, a glamour as enchanting as any cast in the book. I do wonder if Christianity was unfairly portrayed in Mists but I didn't find it hard to believe the priests would be so, at least some. I do wish some had showed more compassion. Also, were there some dark elements of the druidic religion glossed over? Plot is a bit erratic but it is to be expected in the 50+ year span of the epic and it seems more organic and natural. Any possible flaws I feel were made up with excellent writing and strong characterization among the main characters though I feel some characters were overused and more interesting ones, like Mordred and Taeslin, were underused. But these characters have been used extensively in other re-tellings. Regardless, I cared for the characters, their trials and tribulations with the exception of the endless mooning of Morgaine and Guinever for Lancelet. Still, that is the power of love. Those looking for more traditional fantasy may wish to look elsewhere. Magic is scarce and little battle is scene, plotting behind the scenes replacing these mainstays instead. For the length, the books does get unwieldly at 870 pages and I felt many early pages contributed little or were redudant. The last book (Prisoner of the Oak tree) is astounding however and I felt it could have gone on longer and I never would have regretted that.
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Summary: A fresh perspective on a familiar tale
Review: I'm immensely amused by the readers who complained that this novel was "historically inaccurate" and "Arthurian Britain wasn't really like this." We don't know enough about the period, or the historical original of "Arthur," to make such claims (I have a Ph.D. in medieval literature and have researched the subject pretty thoroughly). Nor were Malory and his predecessors writing "history" in the sense we understand it; their versions are just as much a "fictionalization" of an earlier period as this is. Although the Arthurian myths (like other myths) reflect events and characters from an earlier time, they're primarily MYTHS, and every era (and every teller) has given them a different spin.
Bradley is a worthy addition to these ranks: she presents the familiar material from a fresh perspective, creates memorable characters and situations, and weaves an amazing amount of myth (as well as archeological and historical data) into a complex but generally well-thought-out and compelling story. One can find flaws in particular episodes or characters, but in general the book is an impressive achievement. And for those readers who complain that the characters are self-centered or have mixed motives -- well, isn't that the point, that although human beings' actions and perspectives may be deeply flawed, the Goddess sees that it all works out in the end? (I find Bradley's Lancelot considerably more credible than Tennyson's!)
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Summary: Women of Avalon
Review: I've always loved the King Arthur and Camelot books and movies. I loved that Marion Zimmer Bradley told the story from the womens perspectives. It put a twist on what I've read and seen in other books and movies. I felt for these characters, Morgan of the Fairies, Gwenhwyfar, Lancelot, Ingraine, Vivian, and of course Arthur. But at the end of the book I really disliked Gwenhwyfar, Lancelot, and Arthur and was hoping for Morgan to come out happy. With all of her power she was the one who struggled the most in her life.
I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend and it has become on of my favorite reads thus far. The book does build tension between the old Pagan religion and Christianity. Morgan and Arthur were both born to Ingraine, who was daughter to the Lady of the Lake (Pagan). Ingraine was married off young and sent to Cornwell (Christian) and had Morgan. Then when her husband died she married Uther (Arthur's father). That part of the book just in itself is very interesting reading. Morgan was sent to Avalon to study the old ways (Pagan religion) while Arthur married Gwenhwyfar and she persuaded him to be a Christian King. In my opinion that's where the major twists and turns of the book starts. The author details (more so than I've seen in other books) the Pagan religion and the ways of Avalon. This is a very lengthy read... but it grabs you and keeps you wanting more page-by-page.
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Summary: Phenomenal
Review: I received this book in the early 90's as a birthday present - and have loved it ever since. I've read it through at least 10 times, each time picking up a little bit more (which is easy to do given the length!) It puts a whole new spin on King Arthur's half sister, Moragaine, aka Morgan le Fey. I think the introuduction where Morgaine speaks really adds a lot to this story that is filled with love, deception, pride, loyalty, revenge and amazing strengths and weaknesses of character. I do believe Arthur could have been portrayed as a bit stronger - he was strongly influenced by so many people, I often wondered if he ever made any decisions on his own. Now that the prequels are out, I recommend reading them first. They set the tone and help you understand Vivaine's reasons behind actions that otherwise make your heart scream. I also recommend the reading the book before seeing the movie. There were many scenes cut out of the movie and much that needed explanation. This book was - by far - MZB's masterpiece!
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Summary: Good but tooooooo long
Review: When I started this 800+ page book, I loved it. It captured my imagination and gave me a new perspective of the females in the Arthurian legend. Learning more about Morgaine's childhood and what shaped her was interesting. Around page 750 or so, it became somewhat of a chore to continue reading though. While I had to know what became of the characters, it became harder and harder to care, which disappointed me, as I really wanted to LOVE this book. While I recommend this book as an interesting slant on Arthur, Lancelet, Gwenhwyfar et al...I do so with the caution that it's a long drawn out read.
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Summary: A Novel Take On A Classic Tale - Superb!!
Review: Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon" is one of my favorite versions of the Arthurian legend. I first read the novel in the early 1990s, right after its publication. I reread it recently and was surprised at how much I enjoyed this extraordinary novel the second time around. I turned the pages more slowly and took more time to savor Ms. Bradley's excellent narrative and fresh version of the legendary saga of the rise and fall of Camelot. Her take on the classic characters gives them new depth and dimension. She tells her tale from a feminine perspective, and while the King and knights of Camelot dwell on war, battles and keeping their golden city and realm safe, along with focusing on chivalric honor, the women have different priorities and concerns.
The tale is told from the points of view of the much maligned Morgaine, (Morgana Le Fey), Priestess of Avalon and Gwenhwyfar, (Gwynivere), Christian princess and future queen of Camelot. Although most of the events of the traditional Arthurian legend are presented here, it is extremely interesting how the tale, told by men, changes when viewed through the eyes and experiences of a woman. This is also the important story of the political and religious conflict between the new Christianity and the "old ways" of goddess worship. Believers of each religion seek to control the throne, but ultimately Christianity ascends to be the organized religion of the land. Since Morgaine is a Druid High Priestess, it would explain why she received such a bad rap in Christian civilization. The reader also views other famous female characters from a different vantage point, including Igraine, Morgaine's and Arthur's mother, Ms. Bradley follows Morgaine from childhood to Priestess in her home on the Isle of Avalon, the center of Druidism and goddess worship since the Roman occupation forced the religion underground, where it remained long after the Roman departure. Mists surround this mystical isle, protecting it and its inhabitants from all who do not have the psychic powers to penetrate the barrier. Morgaine has dedicated her life to preserving her ancient religion and tries to defend it against the growing numbers of her countrymen and the Camelot royalty who exchange the old ways for Christianity. She is also a very powerful person and struggles against the stereotypes which expect her to adhere to more traditional "feminine," (dependent), behavior and roles. Bradley also follows the lovely Gwenhwyfar from the innocence of her girlhood to her rise as King Arthur's Christian Queen. She deeply fears Druid magic and her terror causes her to miscarry a long awaited baby. King Arthur's acquiescence to his wife's pleas to turn his back on the old ways and adopt Christianity is the beginning of the cataclysmic fall of his reign. This is a most unique novel and Ms. Bradley's innovative fantasy version of Camelot, Britain during the Dark Ages, and the profound changes which took place in the land and among the people during this period had me riveted until I completed the last page. If you are open to a different take on a classic tale, then I highly recommend this wonderful novel.
JANA
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