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Summary: Behold the beauty in Bradley's faire mists
Review: Ever interested in the feminine perspective I picked up this book in college but to my discredit was too distracted to finish it. Now at 33 I cannot put the book down! The mini-series, though it was too short and too willing to take liberties with Bradley's plot, was marvelously done. Acting DIVAS played these magical feminine roles and it was an honor to watch their performances. The women in Arthurian legend are fascinating yet sadly and shamefully overlooked in the traditional telling of the tale. While Morgaine's journey is entwined with thorns of tragedy, betrayal, rivalry, mishap, loss and sadness, she is a powerfully self-contained, strong woman in constant search of peace, love, joy, freedom and a sense of belonging. It is quite provacative to consider the opposing religious foundations that Bradley relies on as ongoing conflict in her storytelling. Christians would render the views "opposed"; the old ways, however, embrace any reverance to a higher power -- even if it means a departure from their own traditions. Why should women, as the church would have it, deny our inate intuition and mystical power? At what cost? We had it then and we have it now. I honor it in myself and I encourage all women to do the same, in whatever fashion appropriate to the individual woman. Admittedly I don't know enough about Celtic history to comment on the validity of Bradley's research. I do know, however, that the foreward references quite a number of well known literary references that she used as an impressive basis for her book. In any event, the historical shift of society from a Pre-Judaio-Christian matriarchal paradigm to a Christian patriarchal paradigm has irrefutably left the world ravaged with agression and war. I can only wonder what a matriarchal paradigm of peace and love for our Earth would promise. The Mists of Avalon begs the question beautifully. Bradley's book is an entirely enchanting tale of Morgaine as she tries to discover/hold fast to who she is and how she struggles to live her life on her own terms. Any woman can appreciate this "everywoman's" journey! Priestess, faerie, or contemporary women alike can relate to her plight. In the sadly mysoginistic society of today where, for example, the fashionable clothing size for actresses to be is ZERO!!! how delightful it has been to digress with Bradley to a time where women were actually honored and revered. Thank you for this, Miss Bradley. Your story will happily stay with me in a joyful, empowering way! P.S. My mother loved the mini-series too! She is MY Igraine and luckily, UNLIKE Morgaine, I have been able to enjoy her to the fullest. Will be lending her my book soonest :-)
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Summary: One view of the Grail
Review: This book is worth reading. Personally, I prefer Agori's view of the Grail in Defenders of the Holy Grail. Agori also honors women and has 2 heroines. However "Mist" is a harder read, and rquires much more time to get through. Mists is somewhat judgemental, but will make you think. Why do we have myths? Whay are we here?
Rating: 
Summary: But hardly historical
Review: This is by no means a brisk read, but there's something intriguing on every page, and Bradley was a fine stylist. I'm especially impressed by her success as an evangelist, so to speak: many readers have described The Mists as life-changing. But by the author's own indirect admission (Acknowledgments, vi), the faith of Avalon has little more to do with the Old Religion of Britain than a horse chestnut has to do with a chestnut horse. Interesting questions present themselves. Was Bradley on a serious spiritual quest, or escaping into an alternative universe, or simply doing what seemed necessary to keep her story moving? Who knows? The novel's lyrical conclusion is virtually a hymn to the Goddess. But significantly or not, the author's burial service in 1999, which she herself prepared, was Episcopalian. -- C. B. Rykken
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Summary: A man's point of view
Review: As I sense many of those who posted a review are women, I felt compelled to offer my thoughts. A little preface: I read this book when I was in my early 30's. I am a college-educated professional, and a married heterosexual. I generally read non-fiction: political and military history and mountaineering literature. This book came up in a discussion with my wife, a published writer, who has read it several times and claimed it was one of her all-time favorites. As this is not slight praise from a woman who thinks Shakespeare was a lighweight compared to John Dunne, and actually argue the point! So I picked up this book and read the first page. Quite a mistake. Three days later I finished this is not so small work having spent nearly every available non-working moment enthralled in this modern masterpiece. Simply put, it is very well written. It is a great story and it is well told. There is romance, fantasy, religion, war, politics, intrigue, and other elements to keep your attention. I pity those who are so heavily invested in the "accuracy" of the Arthurian legend as to miss the beauty of this book. Doubly so for those who are too religiously dogmatic.
Rating:
Summary: Facinating
Review: This book is, simply, the best book I have ever read. It is not meant to be a work of historical fiction (so don't start researching it), it's meant to be fantasy, a story of what might have been in a younger world. The struggle between the ancient Goddess-based religion and Christianity is poignant, and the characters share our faiths and our occasional doubts that there is even such a thing as God. I loved every minute (and there were a lot) of this book. Thank you, Marion!
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Summary: Well written political tripe
Review: While I can appreciate Ms. Bradley's writing style, I found the political message of the book revolting. She imploys an old, dishonest trick ... attack your opponents be rewriting their myths to suit your own political agenda. This is what she does to the Arthurian Legends, to support her own feminist and anti-Christian dogma. Worse still, she rewrites history to do it. In point of fact, there has never been a "goddess cult" in England, until recently. The historical Arthur was a wholely Christian king, leading a wholely Christian people, against a barbaric pagan invader. Finally, Christianity in England was wholely and openly embraced by the people as a more honest and compassionate religion than what they previously had. The Arthurian legends were originally Christian parables to the nobility of England, telling them how they should act and behave. The legends were also embraced by the people, as good moral stories. In this way, Ms. Bradley chose well the vehicle for her own political deceptions. If you are like me, and relish the true Arthurian legends, then "Mists of Avalon" isn't for you. It is nothing more than a politically motivated spin.
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Summary: Five stars isn't enough!!!!!!
Review: This book is not only my favorite telling of camelot, guenevere, lancelot and aruthr but it's undoubtly the best I've read so far. the chatcters are so richly brought to life it's as if you feel what they feel, see as they see. And the plot which is still the classic tale bu has a few twists added that make it more real. The scenery is very well described and you can easily picutre the places in your head while reading along. MZB is an amazing author and this is one of her best if not very best works. Any true fan of camelot, avalon, and arthorian legends has to rad this books.
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Summary: My All Time Favorite Book
Review: The First time I read this book was over 15 years ago - and while some other books have come close, nothing compares to being lost in this now famous and classic re-telling of the legend of King Arthur. Rather than taking the easy road of embellishing the tale many know so well, Bradley chose to change the point of view - and in doing so, captures the imagination and dares you not to read 'just one more chapter.' I've now given countless copies to friends and family, and have yet to be disappointed by their responses. Yes, it's long (not long enough for me though!), but the time is well spent. With the mini-series debuting tonight, I concluded reading this incredible book once again last weekend. That now makes my fifth time, and I doubt it will be my last. If you love period pieces - a new twist on an old legend - or simply enjoy a book with rich character development, then this is a must read!!!
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Summary: The Best Book I Have Read
Review: The Mists Of Avalon, I think was the best book I have read.It shows a new perspective on the Arthurian legends especially on old characters such as Morgaine and Gwenhwfyar.Also it doesn't show just the physical world but the spiritual world as well. It is very hard to do that and I'm very impressed on how Marion Zimmer Bradley created that image so well. It made me feel I was actually there with the characters.This is why this book will be my favorite forever.
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Summary: New Frontiers
Review: This book is not only a wonderful story, full of imaginative and descriptive detailing, but it contains a plethora of historical and *factual* information. It also is the first Arthurian tale of this magnitude to be told from the women's perspective, giving new insight to these world-famous characters and describing the spritual power of the women behind King Arthur's rule, versus what we usually here about the physical battles and such. Additionally, it deals with the spritual battle between the Pagan religions of the time and the ever growing Christian religion. I give this book 5 stars for creativity, imagination, information, and storyline.
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