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Summary: The Mists of Avalon
Review: Somehow, in all of my reading, I missed this wonderful book! What a shame that I have missed this book until now! This is the Arthurian legends written from the womens' point of view. Morgaine is the woman you hear from the most, but all of their thoughts are in here to expand the story as it has never been done before. I confess, I am halfway through this book and can barely put it down! I feel that any one interested in Arthurian legends, fantasy novels, or Paganism should read this book! It is one that you will treasure forever!
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Summary: A fabulously unique Arthurian tale.
Review: This novel takes a look at the legend of Arthur and those around him from the eyes of the women in his life. Anyone seriously interested in this legend would be incredibly foolish to pass up this novel. It provides a new viewpoint that is remarkably different than all other tales I've read. The characters are written so humanly, with human faults instead of as infallible legends. As thick as this novel is, Mrs. Bradley's beautiful prose speeds the tale along without losing itself in overly ornate language.
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Summary: Not very moving ...
Review: Marion Zimmer Bradley does to words what Da Vince did to the Mona Lisa, no doubt about that. Her writing style is flawless, colorful, and persuasive. One truly gets spirited away to Britain, 1500 years ago. This is the upside to the novel.Unfortunately, what Bradley has in writing talent she lacks in character building. Not only does the novel drag on (at times, 50 pages went by that could clearly have been taken out ... where was the editor??), but the characters are whiny, selfish people. Who care who's right, the Christians or the Pagans? They're all corrupted brats. The women are manipulative, cheeky, and blind to their own faults, and instead blame all their problems on a) the "bad" religion (depending on which side they're on) or b) men. Sure, the men in this book aren't perfect either, but the women sure don't set examples by showing compassion. All the females get spirited away in the corruption of ancient society: kill people to show power, women are tools, men are tough and emotionless, and sex is bad (except when nobody catches you, or, as a pagan, you use it to gain power ... which is exactly what the Christians here do, too). Can we say hypocritical? So, really, what is this book trying to say? Who's right and who's wrong? Everyone blames everyone else and nothing gets accomplished. It's disgusting, boring, pointless, and completely unentertaining. Skip this over for something more ... inspiring.
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Summary: Excellent in Arthurian Legend
Review: I have read this book over a dozen times and each time find it just as captivating as the previous. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read about the Arthurian Legend and be swept back into time. The author has done a fine job of bringing the era into the future.
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Summary: This Book Changed My Life
Review: I first read the Mists of Avalon when I was 10, an impressionable youth. So, I read again about three times since then, and have gotten two friends to read it. I'd only heard the story of King Arthur and his knights told from purely Christian POV, so this was a breath of fresh air. At first, it did seem intimidating, it's a long book, but I went through it in about three weeks. I couldn't put it down. And my afterthoughts were that it was an amazing book, revolutionary.
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Summary: A Book Full of Weak Characters
Review: The first time I read this book, I was impressed by the depth of knowledge it revealed but at the same time I couldn't stand the way some of the characters were portrayed. The great King Arthur was actually weak and let himself be led around by the petty Gwenhwyfar, who was too dense to see anything past her precious Lancelot and her blind opinions about her religion. This book seemed to include men solely for the purpose of being used by the women. Although this book provided an interesting point of view on the Arthurian Legends including its relationship to Avalon, I highly recommend that you read anything else.
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Summary: A novel beyond others
Review: As I was gazing the bookshelves looking for a good book to read on my first day of my new school, I came upon Mists of Avalon. as soon as I read the first page I was swept away in this story of love, magic and betrayal. The story is an aurthanian (mostly) love story. The best part of this novel, is the feminism and how it is told by people that no one thinks of when they think of Aurther and his court. The many external and internal conflicts of this story revolve in your brain and it is a challenge to sort them out. Though legnthy, it is around 800 pages, every page keeps you wondering what will happen next. Mist of Avalon is worth the time in your day to read and enjoy.
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Summary: My Favirote book
Review: I absolutely adore this book. You can really feel what the characters inside the story are feeling. This book is about the women inside of the Arthurian Legend. All the women that insisted on being Goddess Worshippers were strong and powerful women. Unlike Gwenyfer who was a Christian and couldnt get pregnant. I highly reccomend this book to anyone.
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Summary: Simply put, every woman should read this book
Review: A wonderful book that opened my eyes to the power of womanhood - and helped me identify some of the forces that have shaped the female experience today. Like all of the best of books, it will make you think, it will make you feel, it will open your head and open your heart. Best of all, it will change your view of yourself and all other women in very interesting ways. Obviously, I highly recommend this book!
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Summary: My favorite book!
Review: I always saw this book in the bookstore and would never read it because I was afraid the story of Arthur would be cliche and boring. Finally, a friend convinced me to read it and it proved me wrong! It is a fascinating and unique view of the story that drew me right in. My favorite aspect of the book was the way it really made me think, about life, religion, among other things. It is really a worthwhile read, I couldn't put it down once I started!
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