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Summary: Camelot's downfall no longer Guinevere and Morgana's fault
Review: I get really tired of books that "re-write" the story of Camelot. Every year brings a new slew of them. But "The Mists of Avalon" transforms itself into a classic worthy of being grouped with "The Once and Future King". Mists of Avalon's biggest strength and flaw is that it goes head to head with the morality of the original legend of King Arthur. 13th century society gave us our most lasting legends of Camelot, but those stories are laced with that period's sensibility, namely that women and sex bring the downfall of mankind. Mists re-writes the legend with a modern perspective. Morgana is no longer the evil woman bent on the destruction of Camelot, but instead a priestess of the Druidic religion trying to defend her beliefs against Christianity. This perspective is interesting because it is true that in the 5th and 6th centuries Christianity was settling into England and facing off with the woman-centered Druidic religion. Camelot would have existed during a time of immense social change, dealing not only with the constant invasions of the Saxons, but also with new ideas of morality. Some people may dislike this book because of its bias towards the Druidic religion, and its portrayal of Christianity as being dogmatic and anti-woman. But this book is not the feminist, anti-christian pocketbook everyone seems to think it is. King Arthur is still the noble, ahead-of-his-time man we always loved. He is not destroyed by Guinevere's affair, instead he is a man destroyed by the littleness of humankind (both men and women). Morgana is a woman trying to keep the dignity of women intact. All are searching for ways to do the right thing. This book is unfair in that it puts a 21st century view head-to-head with 13th century Christianity. We are no longer the Christians who pay money to be forgiven of our sins. Our bishops don't go around impegranating hundreds of women. The reformation came and went, and women are not considered so evil anymore. But the legends of Arthur we learn in school are based on this previous version of Christianity. This book stands in response. Mists may not be fair to Christianity as it exists today, but it is fair to it as it existed during the age of the Inquisition. It reminds us that Camelot should be remembered in legend as a place where women as well as men strived for nobility and grace. The littleness of both is what destroyed it. Gracefully written and thought-provoking. A book you can't put down. (8 out of 10)
Rating: 
Summary: Great reading, but also flawed
Review: I was reccommended this book by many enthusiastic people, and it has been a wonderful read, but I have some problems with some people's comments. True, one of the positive aspects of the books is the female focus, but it is also the source of its faults, too. It makes the male characters sadly one-dimentional (even Lancelet, who is given a facinating new character) and it results in the conflict of religions being not-so-subtly slanted toward the paganistic tradition of Avalon. I think the point of that part of the story is to show two seperate sides who are devoted to their faith blindly condemn the opposing side, although the book focuses too much on how ignorant and oppressive Christianity was (though the Middle Ages was not a wonderful time for Christianity) and how wise and natural the Goddess religion is. The main fault seems to be in the delivery, not the message itself. The best part of the book, the reason you *should* read it despite its flaws, is the way it weaves together the characters and themes into a larger, striking pattern.
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Summary: The one book that still moves me
Review: When I picked up "The Mists of Avalon" I was skeptical as to how a book about the Arthurian legend could come to life in a simple book. But what I found was much more then I could have ever expected. Marion Zimmer Bradley is, as I like to call her, sugar to my mental mouth. I can't get enough of her writings. "The Mistis of Avalon" held me from the very first sentence to the very last word. Morgaine was my favorite character. She was strong, she was determined, yet she was only human. There was only so much that she could do to save Avalon and it's inhabitants. And what a special place Avalon is! I remember when I first read it, I wanted so badly to be a priestess of Avalon. Besides all of my daydreaming, "The Mists of Avalon" is the book that made me want to read anything I could get my hands on. It began my craving for literary works. I highly suggest that you read this book. It's the best out there.
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Summary: LOVED IT!!!
Review: I did not want this book to end. I was ecstatic to learn that there were two prequels for this title. They are in my cart right now...
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Summary: Camelot Babylon
Review: "Mists Of Avalon" is fun,but I am surprised with all the fuss about it,since it does not deserve to be called "the best book I ever read"...or to be taken seriously enough to discuss historical details.If you are reading it as it is - light entertainment - its hard to resist,in a manner of say,Jackie Collins in Camelot.As bombastic praises from cover declare,its written from "woman's point of view" and we have "magical saga of the women behind King Arthur's trone" - ha,after reading the book it seems that women have only sex & witchraft on their minds all the time.Its easy to see its appeal for younger readers,since its basically TV soup opera about who slept with who,but readers who expect something deeper would prefer to have their King Arthur taken more seriously.I was curious enough to finish all,but I took it as it is,without pretentions that it's "magical saga".
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Summary: The Best Book I've ever Read
Review: The Mysts of Avalon is one of the best books I have ever read. I love all the Arthurian legends but this one really brings them alive. Marrion Zimmer Bradley has done a superb job of mixing legends and research. For me, this book was more than just a wonderful story and a good piece of feminist literature. This book shed light on the struggle between Christianity and the old Goddess worshipping religions and made me dream of being a priestess on Avalon. It is one of the most important works of pagan fiction and should be on every pagan's shelf. Everyone should read this book for its feminism and refreshing insights into Religion and Christianity, not to mention is beautiful retelling of a classic story.
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Summary: You'll lose hours reading this book and not even notice!
Review: I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi Fantasy at all. However, this was recommended to me as a book that would keep me home at night (almost impossible to do). I was engaged within the first couple of pages and have not been able to put it down...or am atleast hesitant to do so. Bought it just last week and am almost done. Sad to see the legend end. If you're looking for a book to really dive into, I'd give this one a try.
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Summary: enchanting
Review: Every woman should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but good
Review: Although this version of the Camelot saga is a little different from what I am used to, it is very well written and VERY creative. The author did a great job of describing every aspect of this fantasy world without going overboard on everything. It does seem a little bit like some sort of cult-culture, but it was an interesting change from the normal vaque descriptions of fantasy worlds in novels. One of the only complaints I have is the descriptions of Morgaine's, er, um, "social activities". I don't mind a little bit of "laying" with each other, but it got really old and descriptions were really trashy; I felt like I was reading some high quality romance novel. Overall, the book was very intriguing and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a different, creative fantasy book.
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Summary: This is a must read book!
Review: How anyone could have a bad thing to say about this book is beyond my comprehension. The only bad thing about it was that it had to end! It is by far one of the best books I have ever read (and I read it twice!). I thought it was an emotionally involving tale and it showed me a whole new perpsective on my previously Christian life. I'm so excited that it has been rereleased in hardback and that it will soon debut in movie form! If you plan to see the movie, you must read this book. Even if you don't plan to see the movie, read this book! :-)
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