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Summary: The Mists are Coming
Review: The Mists are Coming
Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon presents a different and exciting spin on the Arthurian tale. Morgaine, the main character in the novel, fights the ever growing Christian religion to keep the Old Celtic religion and the isle of Avalon from fading and eventually being forgotten.
Some things that help understand the story is that while the book mainly focuses on Morgaine's story, it changes to Gwenhyfar's, Igraine, Viviane, Morgause and other women in the novel. These accounts provide numerous details and its story line is thrilling. Also, there are several minor changes to the Arthurian legend such as the chalice that the Knights of the Round Table search for is what they think is the Holy Grail, yet actually is a sacred artifact of Avalon ("Sacred Regalia") or that Arthur purposely tries to have Gwenhyfar conceive using Lancelet as a father (Arthur hasn't been able to father a child through Gwenhyfar) . In addition, the characters in Arthur's court face scandal, war, and deal with moral issues concerning matters of Avalon and of honor. Arthur's kingdom is also viewed as a triumph because of the length of peace throughout the land and yet a failure because the Celtic religion did not survive.
The Mists of Avalon is a great book based on its rich detail along with the excellent story line and is for readers at the high school level and readers that have already heard or read the classic Arthurian legend.
Rating: 
Summary: Praise to a book well written
Review: This is easily the most compelling and captivating book I have ever read, and definitely the strongest tale of Arthurian times I've known. I had not expected such a wonderful story, and could rarely put it down- I stayed up till 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning some nights, afraid to put it down lest something happen in the story while I was asleep.This book gives a great understanding of and reverence for the Druid religion, and its defeat under the rule of Christianity. A wonderful aspect of this book is its female views from Arthurian times; from Arthur's mother, his sister, and his fair wife Gwenhyfar. Meet Igraine, sister to Viviane, Lady of the Lake. Married unwillingly at 15 to an older man, she is a strong and admirable character. She bears a daughter, Morgaine, and a son, Gwydion, to be someday Arthur, King of Britain. Viviane, Lady of the lake, is determined to maintain Avalon, to keep the old Druid religion sacred in the heart of the King, and if not worshipped, than at least recognized, by the priests of Christianity, a religion that is slowly eating away at the old ways. The pages also follow Morgaine's life, from toddler to an old woman, and capture it such that it is easy to relate to and sympathize with. You share her sorrows and joys from page to page. Struggle with her as she attempts to carry out the duties Viviane left behind, and save Avalon before it is no more than a myth told at the fireplace. And last but not least is Gwenhyfar, beautiful wife of King Arthur. As an extremely pious Christian woman, she intends to bring about a turning point, when Britain shall fight under the cross, not under the banner of Avalon. And so begins the battle... I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did, and see the Arthurian ages from a different and wonderful perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I loved this book. Even though it took me eight months to finish, I thought it was just amazing. Why didn't anyone think of writing the Arthurian legend from a woman's point of view? Fabulous! I recommend this to anyone interested in Aruthurian legends, fantasy, and paganism!
Rating:
Summary: Epic and Amazing
Review: A fair warning to anyone who reads this: Although it's a sort of retelling of the tale of King Arthur, it most definantly doesn't stick to the book. That being said...
The Mists of Avalon is an epic 800+ page tale spanning three generations and around 70 years (although it's not specified in the book). It focuses on the women of Camelot, who were the people who really held up the throne. Old and loved characters are given a new twist. Morgan, the heroine of the story, is known as Morgaine, and isn't an evil witch but a faithful follower of the pagan religion. She doesn't want to bring Arthur down, in fact, it's her job to keep him on the throne by forcing him to hold on to the pagan ways. Guenevere, the villian, is known as Gwenhwyfar, a pious and well-meaning (but uneducated and naive) Christian who is set on convincing Arthur to turn his pagan kingdom to the Christian ways, which would ultimatly cause his downfall from Morgaine's point of veiw. Mordred, the villian of the original Arthur legends, is merely a confused young man born from Arthur's marriage to Avalon with his sister Morgaine, who is corrupted by his foster mother, Morgause. In this story, the men are merely veiwed as pawns. Lancelet a hopeless romantic who turns away from his love affair with his cousin Morgaine to court the fair and lovely Gwenhwyfar. Arthur is a front for Avalon, merely there to keep the pagan land from sinking into the mists. But the strongest characters come from Avalon; the Lady of the Lake Vivian, her apprentice, the old Merlin Talesin, his daughter Nimue, the deceitful new Merlin Kevin, and more. These characters are the ones that give the novel it's dark and enchanting feel.
I wouldn't reccomend this book to anyone who's a devout Christian, because of how it favors paganism. The book is also filled with questions as to how ethical Christianity is, which to not-so-religious people like me proved to be very interesting. The books also has a few graphic sex scenes, so it's not for the sqeamish. But all in all, the elements come together to form a truly amazing story that you'll never forget.
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Summary: The Best Book You'll Ever Read
Review: Ok, so everyone knows the tale of King Arthur and his queen, Gwenhyfar, right? Well, this book is a break-through novel of the tales of the women in the legend. There's Morgaine, the faerie woman, taught as a priestess in Avalon, which is the fading world of the Druids. There's Gwenhyfar, the High Queen of Britain, who's taught of the new ways, which is Christianity. She falls in love with Lancelet, Arthur's Companion. Ultimately, this is a woman's tale of how unfair it was to be a woman and in love with someone they're not married to. As my title says, this is the best book you'll ever read.
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Summary: An Arthurian Phenomenon!
Review: This wonderful book is one of the best Arthurian books I have read. The story takes place in the minds of the women behind the throne, though I am sure you will hear that from many other reviews...
To read in Morgaine's eyes, I felt what it is like to be pagan, and to think LIKE a pagan. For a christian, it opened my eyes to how these people think, and made me all the wiser. Instead of thinking (mogan Le Fay) evil, I rooted for her! Every person in this story I felt I knew as I read it. Instead of being myths and witnessing only a memory, they are brought to life. Instead of somewhat hating Guinevere for the hurt she and Lancelot cause Arthur, I understood her pain.
Each place in the story relives, from Tintagel to Camelot, I felt a part of the journey. It has been at least two years since I read this book, yet I have not forgotten a word of it.
I definately recommend this! It is great for learning exactly what it is like living in this time period!
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Summary: A New Side To Arthur
Review: This is the tale that first got me into the Arthurian legends and I've loved it ever since. You'll notice that Marion Zimmer Bradley doesn't quite keep to the myth and often goes off in her own directions, but that's what makes this story so interesting and unique. It has a flavor to it that is hard to resist. Once you start, you won't want to stop! Take my word for it, this book is one in a million and definately worth the money.
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Summary: My favorite book of all time !!
Review: Mythical King Arthur tales from a woman's magical perspective. Absolutely fabulous and well-written.
Rating:
Summary: Great - and I am not a fan or Bradley or Arthur
Review: This book was ravingly recommended to me by an acquaintance several years before I finally read it. I had listened politely to her tell me how great it is, but because I was not a fan of Arthurian legends or tales, did not put great stock in her advice. I wish I had - I would have read it much sooner. This book was kick a** great! I loved the tale from the female vantage point, and I loved the story of the lost Avalon. I have yet to recommend this book to someone who does not tell me "This book was so good I gave up sleep for it." Though I have picked up other Bradley works, even those which have a connection to Mists, Mists is the only one I have liked and been able to finish reading, the others just don't compare. Mists is one of my all time favorite books and I average about a book a week.
Rating: 
Summary: Torture
Review: It pains me to say it, since I love Marion Zimmer Bradley's other works, but this book is the worst piece of drivel ever written. The plot was paper thin and mainly consisted of people wandering around angsting and rehashing the same arguments over and over. 50 pages could have been cut from this book and no one would notice a thing. This book was utter tripe. If you like Arthurian ledgends, do a search for Diana L. Paxon instead. Her Hallowed Isle series does the myths a lot more justice, and is a quicker more exciting read.
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