A co worker and I knew we had the same taste in books, seeing as we owned most of the same books. So we decided to trade off and share our collections for a while. The first book she brought me to read was Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon. Now I have always been intrigued by the story of King Arthur, Excalibur, Lady Gwenivere and Merlin. I had read stories of the people of Camelot, watched movies, even wrote a short story myself in grade school, but I had no idea what a great story I had been lent.
In the first of the Avalon series Marion Zimmer Bradley transports you into the world of King Arthur, Gwenivere, Lancelot, and the Merlin. As she interweaves history and mythology in an eloquent and timeless tale of love, loss, tragedy, magic, war, and loyalty. You could absolutely get lost in this book and simply read for hours.
The setting in ancient Brittan, is as very closely based in the actual historical truth as possible. When you add Bradley's own tale of the personal inter-dynamics of these timeless characters you get a remarkable story. She tells a tale of ancient Brittan and the story of the politics, religion, and life during the era in which Uther and Arther reined. It is a tale of magic and love, war and obligations, loyalty and betrayal.
This is a page turner and it leaves you wanting more. Good news is this is only the first in a long series of Avalon books. Which I was very happy to have found out!
Books such as the Forest House, The Sword of Avalon, The Ravens of Avalon and the Priestess of Avalon are just a few of the books that continue this journey through the transforming times in ancient Brittan and the trials faced by those who were key to the future of their country or religion. From Pagan Brittan fighting the Romans to the introduction of Christianity and the wars and decisions faced by some during these transformations, Zimmer Bradley gives you one amazing story after another with her Avalon series and The Mists of Avalon is where this journey begins.
Recommended:
