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Summary: A Woman Reader
Review: This was a beautiful story! I believe that it truly relates to every kind of woman. While encouraging us to become stronger and more independent. What I gained from this book was more than just a wonderfully told story.
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Summary: The most wonderful book I have read
Review: Of love and nurturing, human passion and drama, social taboos and natural desires. An old wisdom is interwoven in this book. I loved the majestic beauty and power of the women evolved in this saga.
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Summary: A Dissapointment
Review: When I first got this book as a gift I had heard that it was wonderful. But it just didn't live up to my expectations. I expected a novel of Arthurian times form the point of view of the women, but I expected STRONG female characters. Both of the main characters-Morgaine and Guinevier (forgive my spelling) have their moments true, but on the whole they are whinny and annoying and not all that powerful or strong. Guinevier is a meek overly pious Christian who is a creature of the priests and overly self-doubtful and self-reproachful. She never tries to fight her fate and gets very annoying after a while. Morgaine is a little better but she never strives to find out the motives of Viviane never questions "the will of the Goddess" and when she finally does it's too late! She becomes annoying too, always whining that she is "little and ugly." This is definitely NOT a great Arthurian novel- if you want different points of view read Courtway Jones's trilogy (In the Shadow of the Oak King, Witch of the North and A Prince in Camelot.) The Once and Future King by T. H. White is a classic; all of these books are good retelling of Arthurian legend. Marion Zimmer Bradley would have done better to tell a "might have been" tale or change the legend, as she obviously wanted to do. At many parts I thought I would throw the book in frustration, she wrote so you WANTED something to happen, but then doesn't make it happen! As in all things you must decide for yourself, but personally I would say just don't bother. It's too long to waste so much time on.
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Summary: The Mists of Avalon
Review: Rates as one of my top five books -- this is one of the few that I will ever re-read.
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Summary: Great Read
Review: Many reviewers have summarized the plot, so I won't. But I will say this: The Mists of Avalon is a great read! I was totally absorbed in the story line and actually asked my husband to please take the kids and leave me alone so I could read! The book takes on so many things -- change, loyalty, sex, love, intrigue -- and leaves the reader breathless and totally satisfied. I loved viewing the Arthur legend from the female point of view -- what a wonderful writing device Ms. Bradley employed! If you are hungry for compelling fiction, buy this book.
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Summary: My only problem with this book is why did I take so long to
Review: read it??!! Mists of Avalon was a gripping retelling of the Arthurian legend from a female point of view. MZB created characters who, though flawed, were heroic and gripping. And when I finished the last page it was hard to let them go.
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Summary: New Perspective
Review: Having been acquainted with the story of King Arthur many times in the past, I thought I knew exactly what to expect from Mists. Usually, Morgaine is portrayed as a wicked seductress, but in this book things are quite different. From the start you feel a strong bond with the tragic heroine. Something else that struck me as a stray from the norm is the portrayl of Gwenhwyfar. The Queen seems like a whiny brat, always commanding Arthur to get rid of the "pagan" religeon that he is sworn to uphold. I think I enjoyed this the most. Usually seen as the perfect bride it was wonderful to see her as a naive, foolish girl that ends up being the joke of the kingdom. Morgaine, meanwhile, always holds the respect of everyone she meets, which in turn causes Gwenhwyfar to be jealous of her. Anyway, it is my extremely humble, 16 year old opinion that this is one of the best books I have ever read. It draws you in with the first line and never lets you go. READ IT!!!
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Summary: Why Should You Read Mists of Avalon?
Review: As I write this there are almost 500 reviews of this book on Amazon.com, so I'll try to keep it simple. One of the ways to judge a great story is that when it's over, you miss the characters. You may recognize that a book cannot go on forever, but you hate to let it go. That was true for me with this book.If you are a reader who has come to Mists via Bradley's other Avalon books, (this is the oldest book in the series, but the last in the chronology), the best is still before you.
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Summary: a great book
Review: I loved this book! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of fifteen because of some mature content, but other than that, I would recommend it to anyone (especially to women). It is written as a story, not a collection of histories or legends. It's a great story, and enjoyable to read even in spite of its length!
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Summary: Mists of Avalon
Review: omg. this is the best book i have ever read. it's invocative, exciting, mystical, magical, secretiv, and sexy. it has everything that a great book should have. it is exceptional in every way.
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