The Mists of Avalon

Rating:
Summary: A Keeper
Review: I read this book a while ago and have kept it to re-read. While it does give the story from a female point of view, please read The Crystal Cave first. You will then have a full circle view!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Magnificent!
Review: In preparation for a vacation to Glastonbury, I picked up Mists of Avalon concerned that it seemed to be a rather ambitious read. On the contrary! I could not put it down and I breezed through the nearly 900 pages in no time at all. Each page was captivating! I wish it had been 9000 pages; for I was not ready for the story to end. The ONLY character I felt was not terribly well developed was Accolon, but it certainly did not dampen my enthusiam for this fabulous novel! I immediately purchased all of Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series books.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Holy cow! I was expecting a chick flick romance lust-in-the-dust novella when I bought this book at the recommendation of a friend. But it was wholly not what I expected.
First, the plot moves very slowly so as to keep one reading for a long, long time (I saw the movie first and thought the book would move as fast as the film). But it is very engaging and, as a guy, I found it an interesting illustration of a woman's point of view.
Furthermore, it is a decadent reteling of a story that has been used and abused over the years with Mort D'Artur, the musical "Camelot", the movie "First Knight", and "Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail". For such a common and often ill-respected story, Bradley truly performed a miracle and breathed new life into the plot.
It is a unique book and I don't think I'll ever read anything that comes close to the tangebility it posseses in it's storyline. The characters are all people we know very well and the book is an excellent parable about living with people who have other beliefs than you do. The philosophies presented are priceless and should be well learned, especially in the wake of rising fanatacism in the Middle East. Bradley has managed to write a timeless book that will deal with current issues facing man for years to come.
The book is not for everyone, though. Even though it is not strictly "fantasy", it still has its limitations with the audiences it can reach. If you're not interested in Arthur or British history, I suggest you check out the book before you buy it. Also, if you're used to faster readss (like I am with Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, & John Grisham), be prepared for a long read. I usually finish a Crichton paperback in 3 days. This book took me over a week. Also, be forewarned: this book has its "lip crushing kisses" and is at heart an epic romance as much as it is a fantasy and adventure. But's it's not nearly so graphic as romance novels are and the focus stays on religion, power struggles, and emotional love, not physical relationships.
In the end, it is a first rate book with unforgettable characters (and there are many) as well as lush descriptions of clothing, buildings, and places. Even though the genre isn't known for having many classics, I'd say that "The Mists of Avalon" deserves a place alongside "Moby Dick", "A Farewell to Arms", "The Scarlet Letter", etc. and should probably be on college reading lists.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: I loved this book enough to add it to my collection (I usually borrow books.) It was... like several books, melded together. Beautiful. If you're a strict Christian, you may not like this book because of the unfavorable way it treats the priests. However, it is also made clear that it is not God, or even Christianity that is bad, just the narrowmindedness of some Christians. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the sex. Way too much. Most of it was definetly unnecessary. I tend to skip those parts, because they really don't add anything. Regardless, if you like fantasy and don't object to feminism, this is a book that you have to read. Cutural literacy :)

Rating:
Summary: Best Book Ever
Review: This has truly inspired me to a new way of thinking and helped me develop religious views in my teen years. This is book is amazing and no one should go without reading it. It shows truth and different perspectives of life without putting done another religion or other peoples thoughts. It leaves room more imagination and opens the readers eyes to a new world. Not only the best book of its genre but of all time. Read this and tell a friend.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite book
Review: This is my favorite book of all time, which is a huge title if you know me because i have an extensive lists of favorites and a quite large collection of books. Without you even realizing it, this book takes you through the lives of three of the women of Morgaine's family, starting with Igraine, then Morgaine, and Viviane as well. There are no words to describe it. It is simply exquisite. Just go buy it.

Rating:
Summary: An enchantng read, A must for lovers of fantasy!
Review: Like I said you must read this book, Morgaine (Morgan Le Fay) has always been portrayed as Arthurs evil half sister, in this book however you relise that that is just not true she is only trying to keep the old worship of the Goddess alive.This book enchanted and facsinated me so much I read it 3 times and living very near to both Glastonbury and Cadbury castle I visited both and felt as if I could see the life of Morgaine and the tragedy that is Artur and Camelot. All in all the best book I have ever read!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: If I had to pick a favorite book of all time (that WASNT a childrens book that is) then it would be the Mists Of Avalon. It was a telling of the King Arthur legend that I thoroughly enjoyed. Of all the stories written about the legend, this is also the most believable. The characters are very well developed, and you almost feel as if they truly existed, and truly were real, and you really do fall in love with each and every one of them. I usually do not read books of this length. I have only read 4 books that are of such a mammoth size: Texas, Moby Dick, Lord of the Rings, and The Mists of Avalon. The Mist of Avalon is the only one that I could bring myself to read further than 1/4 of the way through! In fact, I devoured the book. I found myself spending hours reading it. I even spent an entire day, just lying on my bed and reading. When I was done, I began reading it again. My mother is currently reading it, and after that it will go to my best friend, and from her onto her friend (hopefully I'll get it back eventually so I can read it a third time!) Buy this...but you might want to buy two copies because if everyone isn't wanting to borrow it from you from the start, you're going to make them when you're through with it!

Rating:
Summary: will it ever end!?!?!?!?
Review: I had to read this book for enlish honors two, and I was so mad at my teahcers cause I thought this book moved waaaaaaaaay too slow. The book could have been much shorter. Some things just weren't necessary. Half of the information she provided us with didnt have anything to do with the final out come. This book was too long and boring and I pitty all sophmores that have to read it over summer vacation, because it pretty much ruined mine.

Rating:
Summary: an excellent book!
Review: The Mists of Avalon is a fantastic story. Knights in shining armor fighting heroic and daring battles in the name of God and their beloved king and the women sitting alone in their chambers, weaving and darning who really deserve a great deal more credit than they actually get- and which they never would have gotten if it hadn't been for this book. For once, the women speak out! There has never been a female character so strong in any other book I've read, than Morgaine of the fairies. The Mists of Avalon completely contradicts the very popular Christian myth back in those days which states that women do not have any feelings

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock another book full of Knights and battles, with strong men and woman.