The Mists of Avalon - by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This is one of my favorite books I've ever read, and I'm wanting to re-read it! It caught my attention on my mom's bookshelf because of the beautiful cover and it's impressive number of pages. When I heard it was the tale of King Arthur told from the females' point of view, I knew I had to read it!

I really, really enjoy the open-minded ideas of the females and especially the deep-thinking and wisdom of Taliesen (Merlin.) One reason I want to read through it again is to get a better grasp on the different angles of alternative religion to which I remember agreeing or being pretty impressed with when I read them.

What are your thoughts from those who have read The Mists of Avalon, or have heard about it and want to read it?

This book is currently sitting in the trunk of my car. I picked it up at a second hand book store and have yet to read it. I started it once a long time ago but just couldn't get in to it.

I'll have to try again someday (or at least take it out of the trunk :oops: )

I started reading that because of the mini series/movie. I have to admit... I liked the mini series better.

The book felt like an overgrown romance novel. I know the story itself has a lot to do with romance and I rather enjoyed how closely it matched the mythos, but it got a lot of the names wrong and added extra characters based on alternate names. xD Morgase/Morgose/Morgain/Morigain/Morrigane. All the same person.

I love the myth, did not like this telling.

I tried reading that book several times but found I couldn't get into it.

A wonderul book, in my opinion.
Never read any of the prequels or sequels though.
I didn't think the story could be quite as good.
Has anyone here read them? Did you like them as much as Mists of Avalon?

I liked the Firebrand alot too, perhaps even more than mists of Avalon.
(Firebrand tells the story of the Trojan war, mostly from Cassandra's point of vieuw)

You know what's funny.... I've read all the prequals to that book but not that book. xD

It's a wonderful book, portraying the legends around King Arthur/Lancelot/the holy grail etc from the women's point of view...

The tale is told from the points of view of the much maligned Morgaine, (Morgana Le Fey), Priestess of Avalon and Gwenhwyfar, (Gwynivere), Christian princess and future queen of Camelot. Although most of the events of the traditional Arthurian legend are presented here, it is extremely interesting how the tale, told by men, changes when viewed through the eyes and experiences of a woman. This is also the important story of the political and religious conflict between the new Christianity and the "old ways" of goddess worship. Believers of each religion seek to control the throne, but ultimately Christianity ascends to be the organized religion of the land. Since Morgaine is a Druid High Priestess, it would explain why she received such a bad rap in Christian civilization. The reader also views other famous female characters from a different vantage point, including Igraine, Morgaine's and Arthur's mother.

It's a very unique novel in my opinion...I've also read the two other books in the series... I heard that she released more meanwhile.

I think i might have read it a while ago. If it is the book I'm thinking of, then it was a really good book~ If not, then I know if heard of it and it caught my interest but i never had the time to read it~ o :

I read that when I was twelve!

It was lying around in a box of clutter for a car boot sale and I picked it up and devoured it. I've never thought ill of Morgana since. And I hate Guinivere. And I really can't remember how to spell their names, it was so long ago!

I've only read Priestess of Avalon, which I adored. I'm definitely moving on to Mists next, as soon as I can get my hands on it. ^_^

I saw the movie. I thought it had a pretty original take on the relationship between Morgan and Arthur. Also gross. But I felt bad for them.

I started reading that book a long time ago after my aunt gave it to me to read. I got through maybe half of it before it started to lose my attention. I think it was too much of a romance for me and just kept going on and on.
But for a short time I did like it ^^

I've never read it but I think that book is around the house somewhere. I'll have to hunt it down and read it a King Arthur tale from a womans point of veiw sounds interesting.