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Summary: Wonderful empowering book
Review: King Arthur legend from the womans point of view. I was spellbound from the start and couldn't put it down. I read the last 1/3 of the book in one night/morning.
Rating: 
Summary: anti-feminist fluff
Review: My name IS Morgaine- unfortunately for me, my mother read this book while she was pregnant with me. I am fifteen years old, and I can see that THE MISTS OF AVALON: A. is 4 or 5 hundred pages too long B. is plotless c. is poorly written d. lacks believable characterization e. is historically bogus f. and, most importantly, insults intelligent women-- if we are to have power over men, this book suggests, it must come from our genitalia, and not from our minds. I hope that the world doesn't believe that all feminists think the way that THE MISTS OF AVALON suggests that they should.
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Summary: A landmark novel in fiction, not just fantasy.
Review: Having finally gotten to reading this highly praised book, I only regret not getting to it sooner. I have read extensively in the genre of fantastic fiction, and have seldom encountered such a panoply of well-rounded characters. I think this book is mislabelled as a feminist work. Despite its evident focus on the women of the Arthurian age, what sets this book apart is that none of the characters are "evil" per se, particularly the classically murderous Morgaine Le Fay, but are simply trying to do the best they can under the circumstances. The sheer humanity of the doubts and fears that plague the central characters is something all too often missed in a genre dominated by stories where "boys become men" (Rand Al'Thor, Shea Ohmsford, FitzChivalry, etc.) I would like to see more storytelling in which there is little black and white, but mostly shades of gray. Unless you are a jealous academic with your own ideas about Arthurian legend, and apparently lack a philosophical bone in your body (see earlier review), this novel is a must read, not just for fantasy fans, but anyone interested in high quality fiction.
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Summary: A creation of the perfect, fantasy life.
Review: This book leaves nothing out. It has all the elements of a perfect story... Love, betrayl, rebelion, etc. This has by far been the best book I have ever read. It perfectly creates a time in which I would have loved to have existed in. I highly recomend this book to anyone who is looking to get wraped up in another time and era, perfectly writen, MZB easily guides you into Authorian times and makes you feel a part of the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Ahistorical in detail, Adolescent in scope
Review: Well, after several years of my female friends telling me that this is a book I just HAD to read, I finally grabbed a copy and worked my way through it. And to be honest, I found it passably well written, especially for a work of genre fiction, and to have at least a couple of well drawn characters, a true rarity in a work of fantasy. I did however find the "historical" setting laughable and horrendously anachronistic, and the primary motivations and personal conflicts of the central characters to be more reminiscent of middle-school intrigues than those of people who would shape the history of a nation. On the matter of historical accuracy, to be fair, it seems to be the fans of this work that have created the myth of its historical accuracy, as Bradley states up front, in the preface, that her research was pretty much limited to readings of Mallory's "Le Mort de Arthur" and conversations with Wiccans and Neo-Pagans. Bradley's "historical" setting has, unsurprisingly, more to do with romanticism and faddish Wiccan/Neo-Pagan femnism than the increasingly known history of fifth and sixth century Britian, or the known facts, (sketchy at best) of the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of Romano-Celtic Britian. Of course this is not a crime in a work of fiction, and I don't fault the book for this, although it seems that many of the book's most ardent fans regard it as something other than fiction. I do however have some difficulty forgiving the easily corrected anacronisms that frequently pop-up. Through the course of the work we are presented with a Bishop that is a contemporary of Saint Patrick, the invasions of the "Saxons," in Britian and the invasion of Spain by the Islamic Moors. Unfortunately, a quick perusal of an encyclopoedia will demonstrate that these events cover a span of well over three hundred years, far longer than the single lifetime that the novel follows. Again this is not a damning criticism, but it does injure the ability of a kno! wledgeable reader to suspend disbelief. Far more damning criticism, at least from my perspective, is the nature of the central characters, who seem to mope and mourn over unrequited love with all the energy and artifice of the average "sensitive" fifiteen year old. And this is my major complaint with the book -- I didn't really like or sympathize in any measurable way with any of the characters except Morgause, which was obviously not the author's intent. But frankly, Morgouse was the only character who didn't seem both emotionally and intellectually stunted in numerous ways. I couldn't help but gravitate to the only character in the entire work who seemed to behave as an adult rather than a lovesick adolescent. It's apparent that Bradley was trying to capture the tone of the early Athurian romances, especially Mallory, which play up the Courtly Love aspects of the story, but to a modern, adult reader -- and at 31, I seem to be a good bit older than most first time readers of this book -- it just doesnt play particularly well. Still, for a long time fan of the entire Arthurian legend, as well as an avid student of the ever expanding historical record of Romano-Celtic Britian, I can't completely fault a fellow fan's reworking of the legends. Truth be told, I've done a bit of work in that vein myself that probably wouldn't satisfy those whose primary love is the romance of the legend, and not the historical setting. The work is well written, but because of the shallow and puppy-lovish nature of so many of the characters, I would find it difficult to recommed this book to any readers over the age of 20.
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Summary: Maybe I'm easily influenced, but it changed my life
Review: I don't want to be wordy, I just recommend that everyone read this book. Regardless of your personal views on life, love, religion, Arthurian legend or liturature; you will benifit from this novel, it is a life of it's own and I question if it is not a real account of factual history! It is so easy to believe and wonderful to experience. Love it or hate it you'll come out with something profound.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read
Review: I found this to be a good, albeit a bit long and involved, read. Since Arthurian legend is not my area of expertise, I really can't say how accurate it was. However, as a pagan, I am glad to see a book that, for once, puts the pagans in a good light, and shows how most of Christianity has warped the reputation of paganism in general. Ms. Bradley went a little too fae, in my opinion, as far as the more erotic areas of this book go, but all in all it is a good book to read if you're willing to attack 800 pages. Sunwolf
Rating:
Summary: After reading you'll wish there was another 900 pages!
Review: Mists was one of the best books I've ever read! I definitly recommend it to anyone, whether or not you even care about Arthurian legend. This book is inspiring and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling book that can change your life's views
Review: I read this book back in the early 90's and still treasure it many years later. Marion Zimmer Bradley transported me to a world which I never knew existed and certainly changed my views on Paganism and Christianity. Her characters, especially the women, are strong, and men, sensitive, and Ms. Zimmer Bradley has created realistic characters that will stay with you for a lifetime. (I even named my chocolate Labrador girl Morgaine, my all-tiime favorite modern literature character.)
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Summary: The most moving book I've ever read!
Review: This book is amazing! From the first page it caught me and I was moved to tears several times. I usually don't cry over books but this one made me sob like crazy! My advise to everybody: READ IT! If I ever have a daughter, be sure that she's going to called Morgaine after the main character in this fantastic book!
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