The Mists of Avalon

, #1

Paperback, 884 pages

English language

Published April 12, 1984 by Ballantine Books.

ISBN:
978-0-345-35049-7
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OCLC Number:
14986193
Goodreads:
402045

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2 stars (1 review)

The Mists of Avalon is a 1983 historical fantasy novel by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley, in which the author relates the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters. The book follows the trajectory of Morgaine (Morgan le Fay), a priestess fighting to save her Celtic religion in a country where Christianity threatens to destroy the pagan way of life. The epic is focused on the lives of Morgaine, Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), Viviane, Morgause, Igraine and other women of the Arthurian legend. The Mists of Avalon is in stark contrast to most other retellings of the Arthurian tales, which consistently cast Morgan le Fay as a distant, one-dimensional evil sorceress, with little or no explanation given for her antagonism to the Round Table. In this case, Morgaine is presented as a woman with unique gifts and responsibilities at a time of enormous political and spiritual upheaval who is called …

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Review of 'The mists of Avalon' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I suppose it's an important book for its role in re-imagining the Arthurian legend in a neopagan context. It's enjoyable as an adventure book. It's enjoyable as a bit of fanservice for neopagans. It's not a great book. If you're the kind of person who'd read it, you'll read it anyway I'm sure.

In its way I find it like Wicca: a cool thing for girls aged 12-16, but maybe after that you move on to something with a bit more depth and history.

Subjects

  • Arthur, -- King -- Fiction
  • Arthurian romances

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