Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and Moving - Loved every minute of it!
Review: This novel tops my best-loved, most read list. A deep and moving tale of Britain, in the time of King Arthur, when the old religion of the Goddess is being threatened by Christianity. The story follows all the woman in Arthur's life; mother, sister, wife. Although the length and size of the book tend to frighten, once you start, you won't be able to stop!
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: The Mists of Avalon cast magic onto its readers, capturing them in Arthurian England. However, the book is not simply a beautiful retelling of the same story portrayed again and again by author after author. Marion Zimmer Bradley, unlike many writers, put great effort into her research to produce her book to produce something believably authentic, yet she is not a slave to the traditional retellings. The main character, Morgaine, is depicted is as a likeable human with good intentions rather than the one-dimensional cardboard cut out of an evil witch that Hollywood favours so much. The other characters are similarly given a depth that many interpretations seem to lack - each character has its flaws that make them more relatable for the reader. Marion was a brilliant writer and amazing woman; it was a great tragedy that the world has lost her.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I literally could not put this book down. The story is captivating. I was also able to gain a historical perspective on this time period and on pre-Christian spiritual philosophy. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about Druidic religious philosophy, wants to gain insight into the time period of King Arthur, or just wants to read a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Almost too painful to read in parts...
Review: Last night, as I was reading The Mists Of Avalon for the third time, it suddenly struck me that this book is now almost, for me, too painful, too personal, to read. For the first time reader it is simply an enchanting, beautifully written tapestry, for the second time reader it takes on a new dimension, one where the complexities of the plot are made clear, and the reader can really read the characters' minds a little bit better. At the third reading, however, the characters are becoming a part of you, their pain is your pain, and you feel that when, for example, Morgaine is snubbed by Lancelet in the early scene in Avalon, you simply cannot read something this painful anymore. Keep this in mind, anyone reading this novel, that it BECOMES a part of you, holds on tight and doesn't let you go. Though this has been often defined as a "chick book", I am a teenage boy and I adore this novel. It simply transcends gender, race, religion, everything. Read this book, and it will change you.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book, but didn't reach its goal.
Review: I believe Marion Zimmer Bradley wanted to write Le Morte Darthur from the viewpoint of the women involved with almost a maternalistic take on it. She did not do this. To give her credit for what she did do, she wrote a great story about romanticism, love, and the middle ages. This may be a book for housewifes who don't have much to do with their time. In the context of Arthurian Literature, this is a serious attempt and a serious failure. Zimmer-Bradley does not escape the problems for women in Arthurian texts, in fact, she creates some of her own. I gave her three stars because this book is so well written and a fun piece of fiction. I took two stars away because she did not do with the book what she originally set out to do; change how women are looked at in Arthurian texts.
Rating: 
Summary: Totallu Overrated
Review: I'm totally shocked that this dross had a four star score here. It's easily the most boring book that I've had the mispleasure to endure in the last ten years.I read it over the course of a summer where I didn't have a lot else to do, but after the first fifty pages, reading this wasn't a credible alternative. Don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: Introduction to Feminist Thealogy, or Paganism?
Review: Bradley says she wrote this saga in an attempt to explore women's contribution to religion. She does this, and a whole lot more, by exploring the lives of the women behind King Arthur's throne. This was the first book that I read on the relgion of the pagan celts and I was fascinated from the start. She does such a wonderful job of comparing and contrasting Christians and Pagans, I feel empowered. I couldn't put it down, it was like an addiction. The things this woman considers and explores make me want to float above myself, it's wonderful. I guess my favorite part of it, though, is not the ideas that obviously went into it, but the way she paints characters on the page. All of them are so human, and I feel that I love them all, watching their struggles and triumphs. It's all in here, guys: body politics, romance, environmental ethics, alternate realities, magick theory, feminist theory, and sex. It's a gem. More like a hydrocube, actually, because it hits home on so many levels. Please read this book, my friends, it will change your life.
Rating:
Summary: Great narrative, wonderful story
Review: I really love this book. Bradley is able to conjure up wonderful characters and to build upon them and make them come alive. The land of Avalon and its mystical beauty and the sadness of its disappearing weave a tale that is captivating and enjoyable. I love the stories of Arthur I have read and telling it from the perspective of women does nothing to diminish its beauty and power and mythical quality. Clearly Bradley has done a LOT of research and was able to work into the story some of the real myths that have been told of the Arthurian legend. As a Christian myself, I must say that there is one negative to the story. As much as I like it for what it was, this is a clearly anti-Christian book. I don't say this lightly or often, but Bradley consistently makes all Christians in the book fanatical, uncaring, manipulative, intolerant or all traits combined. I can think of no positive Christian character in the book - meaning someone who WANTS to claim a Christian faith. Arthur claims Christianity, but when he does, he is not painted as a very likeable guy. I think Mists has a major flaw in this respect. Bradley takes a pseudo-religion (meaning, part real and part her creation) religion of the Goddess and challenges Christianity - a real faith - with it. I find this uncomfortable and unfair. With that said, I was still riveted to the story. Bradely is a very gifted author who is one of the best fantasy narrators around. Even with my discomfort, I recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: an enthralling FANTASY read
Review: I read widely, very widely, many genres and thousands of books and I still find this to be an enthralling read. This book is a keeper - one to take on a desert island. I'm not going to say reading it changed my life, but on the other hand much of the praise given in the preceeding reviews is justified. To those that criticise - check the genre, historical fantasy. The Arthurian mythology is exactly that - Arthur the man as current legend has it never existed. Tintegel, the round table, the love triangle etc is all fantasy. As a historical figure Arthur would have lived in the 6th century - so no shining knights. Much of the story was added centuries later by French Romanticists when the idea of courtly love was trendy. The contrast of Christianity vs paganism is a central tenet of the myth. And please - rabid Christians, find something else to take offence at, there is usually plenty to find for your narrow-minded type. Considering that one of the earliest and most venerated versions of King Arthur and Camelot was written by a monk trying to pander his way up the religous ladder I don't see how MZB can be criticised for continuing this theme. The Australian author Sara Douglass (who is by profession a historian) has written a masterful examination of the Arthurian legend in literature and history (The Betrayal of Arthur) and it is well worth looking up if that is what you are interested in. Otherwise, Mists is an excellent read, an absorbing story. So many positive reviews here and the length of time at the top of the sales charts are proof of that. You can't please everyone all of the time, but the book deserves that you read and form your own conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: A misty retelling
Review: No matter how many versions of the Arthurian legend I have read and however romanticised Gweneviere's role was in most versions, I have never felt endeared to her. Mists of Avalon has at last portrayed her in what I feel is the most fitting role. Not as a perfect yet tragic heroine, but a totally believable person with some very realistic insecurities and neurotic tendencies. Her religious fanaticism is accompanied by her doubts of God and her insecurities as a woman is something that most women can identify with. I felt that the agorophobia was a very nice unexpected touch, although it's rather strange that she seemed to be the only one who suffered from near-sightedness as she aged. Perhaps the most realistic tone of this book is how Bradley portrayed all the characters. Despite the fantasy and magic surrounding them, each character had strengths and weaknesses that are true to human nature. There was no-one you could say was truly good or purely evil. For me, the best thing about this book is the retelling of this story from mostly Morgraine's point of view. I have always felt that this role has been much maligned unfairly in other versions. So to have her in a more-favourable light gets both thumbs up from me. Did Arthur and his story really exist? I don't know and if you're hoping to glean historical facts from this book, then you'll be disappointed. When I read Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy (followed by Wicked Day), at least I started to wonder if the legend could have been based on actual history - it was that believable. But with Mists, it remained as a fantasy to my mind. Stewart also managed to leave her readers feeling good, even though the legend itself has a tragic end. For this reason, Stewart's version still remains as my favourite. However, Mists is a beautifully-written story and certainly swept me off my feet with the magically lyrical language used and everytime I (regretfully) had to put the book down to go do ordinary, mundane day-to-day stuff, I lift up my head expecting to see the mists around me. Is that the Avalon barge gliding noiselessly towards me, and who is that veiled lady beckoning me ......... ????
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