The magical saga of the women behind King Arthur’s throne.“A monumental reimagining of the Arthurian legends . . . reading it is a deeply moving and at times uncanny experience. . . . An impressive achievement.”—The New York Times Book ReviewIn Marion Zimmer Bradley’s masterpiece, we see the tumult and adventures of Camelot’s court through the eyes of the women who bolstered the king’s rise and … who bolstered the king’s rise and schemed for his fall. From their childhoods through the ultimate fulfillment of their destinies, we follow these women and the diverse cast of characters that surrounds them as the great Arthurian epic unfolds stunningly before us. As Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar struggle for control over the fate of Arthur’s kingdom, as the Knights of the Round Table take on their infamous quest, as Merlin and Viviane wield their magics for the future of Old Britain, the Isle of Avalon slips further into the impenetrable mists of memory, until the fissure between old and new worlds’ and old and new religions’ claims its most famous victim.
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One of those cases of “love the art, not the artist”. I totally love The Mists of Avalon. I read it slowly so I could stay in that magical world longer, and I truly felt like I was there.
For my first number, I am choosing to sing the praises of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon. There are some die-hard Bradley fans and there are also those, for whatever story you want to believe about her in the news media, who choose not to pick up her book from a shelf to read.
I, on the other hand, choose to sink deep into the words …
Loved this. I connected so deeply with the characters, all of them.
Ok, so it’s a long, LONG one (nearly 900 text-heavy, smaller font pages)! But SO worth the time commitment! Awarded five stars on Goodreads.
Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-99) has created a brilliant and truly distinctive take on the Arthurian Legend most of us history lovers know so well. Because instead of King Arthur’s story, this version focuses …
Marrion Zimmer Bradley successfully portrayed the female side of the historic story of King Arthur. Morgaine, Arthur’s sister, is such a deep character, schooled on the isle of Avalon and imbued with the sight.
This book resonates with energies of the distant past, and if partnered with its brother book by Douglas Monroe, the 21 Lessons of Merlyn, …
Too slow for me. I couldn’t get through it.
Mists of Avalon is one of the re-telling of the King Arthur Saga. It is told from the POV of Morgaine, Arthur’s half sister.
It will completely change the way you feel about King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. I highly recommend this book.
an original and entertaining twist on the Arthurian legends. well worth a read.
One of my favorite all time book….Have read Ms. bradley’s other books…WAS introduced to Diana Paxson another AWESOME writer. You will NOT be disappointed. Both writer’s do their RESEARCH before writing…
I’ve always been a sucker for King Arthur. In between my Robin Hood phases as a kid, I went through reams of stories about Camelot. And in college, I happily hiked around the ruins of Tintagel in Cornwall (supposedly the place of Arthur’s birth). But Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon was something new for me: the King Arthur legend from …
amazing
This is my all-time favorite fantasy read, a look into the story of King Author as seen and told by the women of this wonderful tale. Bradley represents the non-Christian characters with beautiful authenticity rather than as the evil pagans of the original Le Mort De Author which is a Christian story. This book delves into characters of different …
I have always enjoyed the stories of King Arthur and his knights with my favorites being The Once and Future King by T.H. White and Mary Stewart’s Arthurian Saga novels. The Mists of Avalon is now at the top of my list.
I first purchased a copy from the Science Fiction Book Club when I was in my early twenties but loaned it to a friend who moved …
One of my all-time-favorites Arthurian novels told from the perspective of the priestess. Well written, easy to read, with a captivating story.
A nice twist on the Arthurian era by telling the story from the viewpoint of the women. It definitely brought the story to life for me as it was not the typical story being retold. It was a completely different telling of an era. I truly enjoyed it.
Best Arthurian based story ever written.
One of my absolute favorites! The tale of King Arthur from the perspective of the women of Avalon is an interesting take on the age old story. I never tire of this book; each time I read it, I find something I missed before. Truly a classic!
One of my favorite books ever. Have read everything she has written (I think), love her stories. She reels you in right at the beginning and it is hard to put the book down.
Arthur’s story told from the woman’s point of view; and from the woman usually portrayed as the villain: Morgana. This is a classic and a must for anyone in love with Arthur and his tale.
Wonderful take on the King Aurthor legend written from the women involved perspectives.