Rating: 
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: There are a lot of reviews here, but I had to add my own and say that "The Mists of Avalon" was the best book I ever read in my entire life, and I've read a lot of books. I never wanted the story to end, and to this day, almost ten years after my first reading, I still picture so many of the scenes. It is an awesome story driven by brilliant female characters, a beautiful saga filled with spirituality. Just thinking about this book brings back that wonderful, contented feeling I had while I was reading it. Marion Zimmer Bradley, wherever you are now, blessed be.
Rating:
Summary: a great Arthurian legend
Review: This book is nothing like other fantasy novels and Arthurian legends that you may come across. Instead, Marion Zimmer Bradley tells the story of King Arthur from a female point of view, from the perspective of Morgaine (known in most Arthurian legends as Arthur's evil half-sister Morgan le Fay). Many of the details do relate to other Arthurian legends if you attempt to connect events, but this interpretation of events is so much more appealing than all others I've come across. The new perspective and well-conceived plot is extremely intriguing. In spite of the book's length, you will find it impossible to put down once you begin. This book holds great depth as it explores the theme of religious tolerance. "The older I grow, the more I find that it does not matter what words we use to speak the same truths," says Talesin (Merlin). The clashes between Christianity and Avalon are seen here, as the Christians themselves are often the narrow-mindedly condemning and foolish ones in the novel (Gwenhwyfar, otherwise known as Guinevere, being a great example of these negative qualities). Although it may be disturbing for some Christians to see believers of Christianity behaving so, as it was for myself, there is no attack on Christianity, which is a good religion. Instead, it attacks those who wrongly condemn others while considering their own religion superior and a basis for the rightful damnation of others. The Goddess-based religion of Avalon is essentially the same as Christianity, also beliefs based on what is good, with many of the virtues and values of Christianity. Reading the book makes one feel enlightened. However, the book is in no way a book that preaches religious tolerance, if that is what I have made it seem. That is merely a theme that came across to me strongly as I read the book, probably due to my circumstances back then. Above all, the book is a great novel, long but not lengthy and with much to present to the reader. I have no yet read the other Avalon books by MZB, but I have read many reviews and it appears that THE MISTS OF AVALON is the most highly praised out of all four. So, for those who have read and disliked any of the others or for those who are wondering which book to start with, I would recommend this one. I started with it, and it has made me want to read the others.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written but upsetting
Review: I got approx. 1/3 of the way through the book and had to put it down. The lies and incest were just a little too much for me. I was also disheartened by the story which I thought would be one of great women. These women while powerful were victims of the goddess. I did not like this book. Although it was very well written.
Rating:
Summary: New Perspective on Arthurian Legend
Review: This was the first Marion Zimmer Bradley novel that I read. I loaned it out so many times that I've had to replace it twice ... once due to wear and tear and once when it was not returned! I have also read the book several times. Bradley relates the familiar Arthurian legends from a completely different perspective -- that of Morgaine la Fey. Morgaine is portrayed in a far more sympathetic light thanks to Bradley's somewhat pagan leanings; she represents the Old Religion in England. This is a fresh and interesting take on a classic favorite, and belongs in a place of honor on any Arthurian's bookshelf.
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Summary: Mists of Avalon Sheds Glorious Light on Arthurian Legend
Review: Marion Zimmer Bradley shifts the focus of the greatest British legend, the tale of King Arthur, from the Christian male perspective, to that of the powerful, old religion led by women and centered in the Holy Isle of Avalon. Morgan le Fay, or Morgaine, is a warm, enchanting and above all real, woman. She struggles with her dual role as wise-woman, powerful priestess and sister, mother, lover and wife in a growing Christian society. Having nothing against the Christ, only "his priests" who trample on the traditions and beliefs of the Old Religion, Morgaine battles to find her place in the center of the worlds at war. Morgaine's brother, King Arthur, has struggles of his own, but it is through the eyes of the women in his life that the true undercurrent of power can be felt. Gwenhwyfar, his sorrowfully barren wife, plays her own role in the fate of Britain. As do Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, Igraine, mother to both Morgaine and Arthur, and the wicked Morgause, sister to Viviane and Igraine and perhaps the most intrinsically evil character in the story. This story takes place in a time long gone, but definitely not forgotten. Through Morgaine, Viviane, and the other women of the Mists of Avalon, the Legend of Arthur and Camelot is now open to the hearts and souls of powerful, hopeful women for all eternity.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful and humane classic
Review: Books that turn expectations upside-down are always favourites of mine. This one is no exception. So many more limited authors seem to think it is a really great idea to rewrite the Arthur legends and come up with dull but worthy heroic fantasy. Bradley didn't. She created a vision that was both fantastic and imaginative but is also rooted a fair amount of historical understanding - the period of history in which Arthur is rooted was a period of religous change: Pagan religions declining or changing in the face of Christianity; immense social and cultural dislocation is also understandable as more matriarchal societies were superceded by patriarchal ones. But that's not the point, of course. Bradley, in subverting the conventional Arthur story, wrote a fine and moving piece of fiction, replete with memorable characters and real emotional development. I know I always go on about the need for emotional maturity in novels - but to me, this is what makes or breaks stories. This is a story about people and their understandings and relations with each other, it isn't a piece of propaganda or a manifesto for anything. Sure, it is pagan and it is feminist, but those things made up what Bradley was and were part of what made her such a good author and worthwhile human being, so what do you expect? People who think that there are only certain allowable perspectives from which one should see the universe should either learn and be prepared to change, or leave more complicated and nuanced visions like Bradley's well alone. The Mists of Avalon is a classic, a beautiful and humane work that should read by anyone with an open mind and a love of well-crafted fantastic writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Needs some polish to be lackluster
Review: Let me start as so many other reviewers have: by saying that the ideas behind this book were intriguing, but the actual book fell fall short of its promise. And now for my responses to the standard topics. Length: Could have been cut nearly in half. Writing style: Rich and descriptive, but often too much (see above). Historical inaccuracy: Didn't much bother me. It's a fairy tale; it doesn't have to be perfect. Religious inaccuracy: See above, and add enough ignorance on my part that I didn't really notice it. Anti-Christian bias: I found a lot of the pagan opinions on Christianity to be interesting and thought-provoking, and the fact that they were as petty as the Christians more or less erased the bias in my mind. Characters: Loved 'em when they weren't scheming or being tragically obsessive (about a quarter of the book). The idea that this book spawns life-changing bursts of feminism in its readers scares me.
Rating: 
Summary: "from women's point of view" not an accurate description
Review: To say this is the Arthurian legend from the women's point of view is not factual at all. Rather, this is a complete retelling of the story, every single detail has been changed from almost every legend you've heard. Instead of learning why Morgan Le Fey was so angry and tried to destroy her brother, in this version, Morgan is one of the heroes. Instead of constant fighting among the nobles, here they all get along and follow the king. We are deluged with sisterly love and un-historic versions of the Druids who here are all nice and loving and innocent, with "nice" versions of their practices that won't offend anyone. Arther is also beefed up, instead of the bumbler who is afraid to make decisions and loses his kingdom, though is still the honorable hero, as most tales put him, here he is smarter and better then everyone (except his sister of course) and never fouls up, neither does Uther for that matter. In that respect, while Morgan is given more humanity and fleshing out, Arthur, Uther, Lancelot and the other knights have become one dimensional figures. That said, it is a decent story. I liked the idea of seeing how the female Druids tried to control things behind the scenes, but would have like it more if the events were anything like all the other tales.
Rating:
Summary: Enticing and exciting
Review: I saw the miniseries and lost myself in the story. This book is so exciting and it draws you in to where you can't put it down for a second. An interesting twist of the Arthur story. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Magical!
Review: This is an amazing tale of the women behind the scenes of the Authurian legends. Not only does this book give these women substance and strong characters it also defines the characters of the men behind the legends. All in all the book makes the legends seem less fantasic and more painfully real. The book is full of magic, love, loss, and hope. This book has been one of the best books I have ever read!
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