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The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1)
The Mists of Avalon - Avalon, Bk 1
Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley
Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne. This lyrical interpretation of Arthurian legend is narrated by two women -- Igraine, Arthur's mother, and her daughter, Morgaine le Fay. Bradley weaves issues of religious intolerance, morality, and femi...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780345333858
ISBN-10: 0345333853
Publication Date: 9/12/1985
Pages: 876
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 34

4.2 stars, based on 34 ratings
Publisher: Del Ray
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

ashoakthorn369 avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 14
My favorite book of all time! Even if you've never been one for King Arthur legends, you'd love this book!
reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
One of the most unforgettable novels I have ever read ... I found myself lugging the large volume around the house, reading in between cooking, while washing dishes, bathroom breaks
daedelys avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This story was so well-written that it is timeless. At no time when I was reading it did I feel like I was reading a book that was written 30-years ago. I was completely enthralled with the well-developed characters and storyline. It was one of those books, that when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about events that had happened up to the point I had read and when a book does that, I know it's good.
reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Very well written feminine slant on the King Arthur story. Very discussable for a book club.
ambr1105 avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 4
This is my all time favorite book. I love the idea of learning about the lives of the women behind King Arthur's throne.
Read All 81 Book Reviews of "The Mists of Avalon Avalon Bk 1"

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sweetspickle115 avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on
Awesome!
reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
This edition is from 1982 - in good shape - somewhat yellowed - but the legend of King Arthur never changes - just gets better. And this is one of the best sagas ever written about him and the characters around him. You decide if this is fiction or non-fiction. Three months on the New York Times best seller list
reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
Fantasy based on King Arthur's sister. If you enjoyed the movie (think it was TNT) a few yrs ago, you'll really enjoy this as it explains more (as books always do)
reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Not one of her best books but worth the read if you enjoy the king arthur myths. No real enjoyable characters that you get attached to. This book reads more like a sopa opera than anything else.
amelia-nc avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
This is one of the handful of books I have read that I can honestly say "changed my life". The way Bradley wrote from each different perspective had a lot to do with it. She was so completely inside of each character and understood each perspective so well that she awakened my own understanding to each in turn. So thoroughly unbiased from both the christian "side" and the pagans (within each character). When I finally set the book down after reading it for the first time, I had gone through all the stages of awakening toward true religious freedom and non-judgment. Beginning with confusion, and then anger, followed by more confusion (and admittedly more anger), then a flicker of understanding, (somewhere in there was a night of nightmares bringing up all my fears from childhood of church tainted with lies, bigotry, and criticism) then finally... true understanding. I grew and wizened right along with Morgaine as she grew and lived and loved and learned, and by the end I saw the truth of it. The unity of each person loving the same god, but under a different name and with a different perspective (steeped in vastly different cultural teachings). I could finally see not just the reasoning but the justification that each side was holding for their (sometimes violent) actions. The right and wrongness melted away as I began to feel an understanding (lined with sorrow and empathy for their adolescent choices) for both sides, and realize they all just wanted the same thing: To worship their god/goddess that they held true and dear in the way they honestly feel is the best for them. When we can all do this along side each other, with no judgment, and no projecting of expectation, then we will all be getting somewhere. Somewhere Marion Zimmer Bradley already is.

Plus it was a rockin' Authurian telling I had never heard from the female perspective. Incredibly detailed period read that felt alive. Filled with raw emotion and empowered women. Read this book.
lagreeneyedlady avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
I love this book. The entire Avalon series has a prized position on my bookshelf.
krisann avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 76 more book reviews
The Mists of Avalon is a fantastic book that makes you think. In most books on the legends of King Arthur, only the men get credit for anything. The women are only background, and they never seem to do anything worthy. Guinevere is portrayed in most books as being the cause of the downfall of Camelot. Morgan le Fay, is shown as an evil sorceress. It was nice to read a book on Camelot with the women playing important, good roles
jilltheawesome avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
amelia-nc avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
This is one of the handful of books I have read that I can honestly say "changed my life". The way Bradley wrote from each different perspective had a lot to do with it. She was so completely inside of each character and understood each perspective so well that she awakened my own understanding to each in turn. So thoroughly unbiased from both the christian "side" and the pagans (within each character). When I finally set the book down after reading it for the first time, I had gone through all the stages of awakening toward true religious freedom and non-judgment. Beginning with confusion, and then anger, followed by more confusion (and admittedly more anger), then a flicker of understanding, (somewhere in there was a night of nightmares bringing up all my fears from childhood of church tainted with lies, bigotry, and criticism) then finally... true understanding. I grew and wizened right along with Morgaine as she grew and lived and loved and learned, and by the end I saw the truth of it. The unity of each person loving the same god, but under a different name and with a different perspective (steeped in vastly different cultural teachings). I could finally see not just the reasoning but the justification that each side was holding for their (sometimes violent) actions. The right and wrongness melted away as I began to feel an understanding (lined with sorrow and empathy for their adolescent choices) for both sides, and realize they all just wanted the same thing: To worship their god/goddess that they held true and dear in the way they honestly feel is the best for them. When we can all do this along side each other, with no judgement, and no projecting of expectation, then we will all be getting somewhere. Somewhere Marion Zimmer Bradley already is.

Plus it was a rockin' Authurian telling I had never heard from the female perspective. Incredibly detailed period read that felt alive. Read this book.
daedelys avatar reviewed The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
This story was so well-written that it is timeless. At no time when I was reading it did I feel like I was reading a book that was written 30-years ago. I was completely enthralled with the well-developed characters and storyline. It was one of those books, that when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about events that had happened up to the point I had read and when a book does that, I know it's good.


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