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Summary: Riveting, surprising, romantic and exciting...
Review: A highly interesting and surprising reimagining of the Arthurian legend, almost the exact opposite of Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon." In this version, there is no magic, and many of the characters are related to each other in unexpected ways (for example, Merlin is Igraine's father, while Morgan is Igraine's younger sister, instead of daughter. As a result, Morgan is Arthur's aunt, rather than half-sister.) The main focus here is on Morgan and Arthur's love for each other, which greatly alters the famous love triangle with Arthur, Gwenhyfar and Bedwyr (Lancelot.) Also, Mordred is no longer the evil usurper who plots to overthrow Arthur; here he is a basically goodhearted boy who lacks his father's kingly ambition and skills, and who is easily manipulated by his cruel brother Agravaine, with tragic consequences. As a result of all this, "The Road to Avalon" always took me by surprise because so many aspects of the legend that I took for granted had been altered. I found it to be a refreshing and moving version, especially the love story between Morgan and Arthur, which is every bit as heartbreaking as the traditional Arthur-Gwenhyfar one is. While "The Mists of Avalon" remains the ultimate Arthurian novel for me, this one is not far behind it. As Publisher's Weekly says, "Joan Wolf is a master storyteller...portraying characters with crisp and memorable originality...capturing--and enriching--the tragic sweep of romance and idealism inherent in the Arthurian Tale." Read it
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Summary: THE Best King Arthur Story !
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful book. It is just too bad that it is out of print. I sincerely hope that some publisher would re-release this jewel of a book to the public again. Out of all of the King Arthur stories that I have read, this is the one that really gets me emotionally involved with the characters. This is no usual Arthurian where there is magic and the battle between the good and evil. It is so much more realistic and the scenes are so vivid that you really feel that this could have happened in history. Not only are the war scenes and the relationships between the characters memoreable- the love story between Morgan and Arthur is heart wrenching. I really hope that somehow this story gets more attention. It truely deserves it.
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Summary: The VERY best book this Arthurian buff has ever read
Review: I discovered this novel roughly ten years ago in a used bookstore and foreshame to the publisher that's no longer printing it. Seven years later, I included it in my graduate thesis on fairytale motifs in romance novels. But this book is so much more than a formula romance. It is, simply, the best retelling I've ever read of the legend of King Arthur. It renders a fresh story from classic legend that will enchant anyone who opens it.
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Summary: A love I never knew!
Review: I have always hated to read, but when requested to read a King Arthur book for my english class, I fell upon this beautiful novel by Wolf. I fell in love in the first page and didn't put it down. I love the passion between the lovely Moragn Le Fay and Arthur Pendragon, the unbreakable relationship between Arthur and his friends, and the view of the historical myth. It completely opened my eyes to a whole new world! I thank Ms. Wolf greatly for writing such a magnificent book!
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Summary: I'm now obsessed!
Review: I have been reading Arthurian books for years, and when i found this book "years ago" i loved it above all others. Today, i finished it for the 3rd time, and after reading it i feel as close to the charaters as if i was there in real life. all i need to do is think about the last line in the book and i cry. Thank you Joan for making this wonderful book come to life in all the glory and pain of the dark ages. and for all those out there who fell in love with Arthur and Morgan, remember to smell the Lavander.......
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Summary: The Road to Avalon
Review: I have been reading Arthurian books for years, and when i found this book "years ago" i loved it above all others. Today, i finished it for the 3rd time, and after reading it i feel as close to the charaters as if i was there in real life. all i need to do is think about the last line in the book and i cry. Thank you Joan for making this wonderful book come to life in all the glory and pain of the dark ages. and for all those out there who fell in love with Arthur and Morgan, remember to smell the Lavander.......
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Summary: I was blown away
Review: I just happened to glance at this book at a used book store and it looked as if it could be pretty good. I love the Arthurian legend and read anything I can about it. Not since Mists of Avalon have I been so blown away by an Arthurian novel. Joan Wolf takes the traditional story and changes it ever so slightly here and there to make this almost all-too-familiar story fresh and new. I developed a new feeling for this tragic story that has become so familiar to me. It's been a while since a book has left me feeling so completely drained of emotion afterwards. I thank the gods that I was at home when I finished it and not at work or on the bus. I broke down in almost gut-wrenching sobs. I didn't realize this book was out of print until I came to write this review. I'm extremely happy that I found it and hope many other people have the same fortune I did. Mists of Avalon will remain my favorite, but this one is a very close second.
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Summary: It made me Cry!
Review: I love a story that can make me cry. Arthur and Morgan's touching love was so heartbreaking. You realize just how easy it is to screw up your life. Also, I was pleased to find a romance of Arthur and Morgan because always felt they were the ones who should be together. I never liked Gwenhwyfar. I loved Arthur and Morgan!
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Summary: best of the best
Review: I noticed this book in my school library, and I was itching for some King Arthur stories, so I picked it up... and I was blown away. Joan Wolf certainly knows how to weave her tales seamlessly... it's the best King Arthur book I've ever read. The novel is full of adventure, chivalry, passion, and more... all the components of a really good novel. I've read it twice, and I'll definitely re-read it again sometime.
Rating:
Summary: best of the best
Review: I noticed this book in my school library, and I was itching for some King Arthur stories, so I picked it up... and I was blown away. Joan Wolf certainly knows how to weave her tales seamlessly... it's the best King Arthur book I've ever read. The novel is full of adventure, chivalry, passion, and more... all the components of a really good novel. I've read it twice, and I'll definitely re-read it again sometime.
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