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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 12, 2008
Pros: The book itself is a Pro with it's twist on the popular ledgend
Cons: men probably won't like this version.
Summary: This book is a wonderful telling of the tale of King Arthur and his knights from the perspective of the women in this classic. MZB totally "did it" for me and I ran through this book twice. I had heard many tell of this books' marvels and so I had to get ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 24, 2002
Pros: a more realistic version of a favorite legend, portrayed from a woman's point of view
Cons: more on the bias side
Summary: I love this book mainly because it gives a different point of view. It's written in the perspective of Morgaine, half sister to King Arthur. Although this book is based on the legend, it mainly centers around Morgaine's struggle through different ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 23, 2002
Pros: mystic, different view
Cons: nothing
Summary: What is life doing with us? What do we do with our life?
You can read a book, you can understand a book but it is also possible to live a book.
In the human fantasy is enough space for a fairytale that we would like to belief in. ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Oct 25, 2001
Pros: Beautifully written, insightful.
Cons: Must be very tolerant of the beliefs of others to read.
Summary: This book is absolutely indescribable, but I suppose I'll have to try. This is the story of Morgaine, sister of the famed King Arthur of Camelot. Many of the popularly held beliefs about Arthur and the Knights of the round Table are refuted in this ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 9, 2001
Pros: Powerful feminist retelling of a classic myth cycle retains and adds depth to Arthurian lore.
Cons: It's heavily slanted and some readers may not like the nontraditional view.
Summary: The Mists of Avalon explores the events of the Arthurian cycle in an only somewhat imaginative retelling. It's as close to the original history as Spenser or any other poetic retellings, perhaps more as Marion Zimmer Bradley researched her additional ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 13, 2001
Pros: vivid imagery, dynamic characters, the whimsical worlds of Camelot and Avalon
Cons: strong religious themes, feminist portrayal, large number of pages
Summary: I admit it: books that total near nine hundred pages in length are quite daunting to me. I have enough texts to read for my education and career, let alone throwing on such a huge fantasy novel. However, I took my chances with The Mists of Avalon, and ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jul 24, 2001
Pros: One of the best fantasy novels ever written.
Cons: Long...intimidates most people
Summary: From the first time I started reading this book in high school, I loved it. I went on to read the 2 other Avalon books, and will soon buy the 4th book.
This book is not only well written, with engaging characters, but it is also fairly accurate to ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jul 17, 2001
Pros: Beautiful writing style, a unique look at Camelot through its female participants.
Cons: Some people don't take the religious debate all that well (I think it's great).
Summary: First let me apologize for the A.I. reference in the title, I hated the whining of "blue fairy, blue fairy", but it is so fitting here. I have grown up with movies like Excalibur, The Sword in the Stone, First Knight (okay, ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jul 3, 2001
Pros: Complex characters and interesting twists of plot.
Cons: May be offensive to those sensitive to religious or sexual issues.
Summary: I had to reread this book when I heard TBS had made a miniseries out of it- watch it in July! I'll never forget first reading The Mists of Avalon- and I've read it about half a dozen times. I was fourteen, impressionable, and at my coming of age time ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jun 28, 2001
Pros: Writing is exceptional, and the plot keeps you on your toes
Cons: Beginning was a bit long
Summary: Not many people believe me when I tell them I managed to read this huge book in three days, but at the time I was a teenager, and it was summer, so I had the time to do it. Believe me, my neck ached from the hours I poured over those pages, but the ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 27, 2001
Pros: it's like being in the minds of these strong-willed women
Cons: your tolerance of Paganism and/or Christianity will be needed to enjoy this
Summary: Morgaine, King Arthur’s sister and narrator of much of this seductively told story, shows here why her character can be so easily loved...or perhaps not. I’ll let you decide for yourself:
If I were Lady of Avalon, on the nights when the ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 15, 2001
Pros: unique take on the legend
Cons: won't want to put it down
Summary: The Mists of Avalon was the first novel based on the Arthurian legend that I ever read, and after finishing, I was hooked. It takes the traditional stories from an entirely different angle from previous versions. Instead of focusing on the men and ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 5, 2001
Pros: A different and enlightening perspective on the story of Arthur and Camelot.
Cons: I can't pronounce all the names...i'll just have to learn.
Summary: Most of us have heard the story of King Arthur and how he pulled Excalibur out of the stone. He became king and everyone in Camelot was happy until his queen left him for Sir Lancelot.
I'm not degrading Christianity, after all I'm a ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 29, 2001
Pros: Rich, detailed writing, addictive narrative
Cons: anti-male, anti-sex, anti-blonde overtones
Summary: An epic and rich twist on the Arthurian legends, The Mists of Avalon is a masterful example of skilled writing overshadowing biased theme. A reader might well come away from this novel fuming at the blatantly anti-male passages or mystified by the ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 22, 2001
Pros: The woman are the topic, fanasy elements
Cons: predjudice against christians, not as well written as it could be
Summary: I'm about half way through the book, frankly i'm dissapointed. I expected it to be a lot better from the reviews i've read and recieved from my friends. I hardly expect it to improve much at this point. The writing can be interesting, but it is often ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 27, 2001
Pros: Beautifully written epic, Interesting to read over and over again
Cons: Some people find it too long
Summary: The Mists of Avalon is one of the most beautifully written pieces of literature about the King Arthur legend. It tells the story of the rise of power of King Arthur and of the times that preceded and succeeded him. Most importantly, the story relates ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 21, 2000
Pros: MZB's Style of writing
Cons: Perhaps the length of the book? Otherwise None
Summary: This book is the best I believe I will ever read....
The way that MZB writes has always been so descriptive and her ability do do so, shines through in this book. Even thought she uses a classic chronological order, its done in a sneaky way..... ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 12, 2000
Pros: easy read, excellent character development, pace will keep your attention
Cons: 800+ pages!
Summary: It took a book club to get me to read the Mists of Avalon - the 800+ pages were daunting! But I say to everyone who looks at the book & thinks of passing - take the plunge! This provocative book has it all: battles, romance, mystery, murder, ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 7, 2000
Pros: It will keep you wrapped up for hours!
Cons: It flips from one character to another and often leaves you wanted to know what is happening with the other.
Summary: The story is that of the five main women behind the throne. Igraine, Arthur's mother, is trapped in a loveless marriage, and must be unfaithful to her husband in order to fulfill her destiny. Morgaine (Morgan le Fay), Arthur's half sister, gives herself ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Oct 1, 2000
Pros: Great storytelling, historically accurate
Cons: none
Summary: 'The Mists of Avalon' is the traditional Arthurian legend re-told from the viewpoint of Morgaine, King Arthur's sister, Priestess of Avalon. Using this point of view, Zimmer puts an amazingly wonderful spin on the ancient legend. She weaves a world of ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 24, 2000
Pros: beautifully written, meticulously researched
Cons: none whatsoever
Summary: Many, many authors have retold the stories of Arthur, Merlin, the Lady of the Lake and Excalibur over the years, to the point where the story itself has become almost cliche. The Mists of Avalon, however, is probably the best modern rendition of this ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 8, 2000
Pros: wonderful
Cons: none
Summary: The Mists of Avalon was the best book I have read in a long time. The author leads through the wonderful and tortured lives of the women from Arthurian times. This incredible book held me spell-bound from the first page. I felt the pain, and the ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 2, 2000
Pros: phenomenal re-telling of the Arthurian legend
Cons: sad ending
Summary: I am a fan of the King Arthur Mythology and have read about 35 different books on the subject. Mists by far is the best book that I have read. It was recommended to me by a good friend. She told me that I would enjoy it and I have.
First, the ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 18, 2000
Pros: Outstanding character development
Cons: 1200 pages!
Summary: Bradley's Mists of Avalon is by far one of the all time best and most historically enchanting books ever written. It is the story of the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table from a woman's perspective. The book is approximately 1200 pages and ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 6, 2000
Pros: excellent character development, winding plot, interesting conflicts and situations
Cons: incredibly sad ending, a bit hard to follow in a couple of places, slows a bit near the end.
Summary: A close friend recommended this book to me. At first, I was reluctant to pick up this book - not because of its length (about 900 pages), which might scare off some people - but because I was so completely unfamiliar with the whole legend of King Arthur. ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 4, 2000
Pros: Sets the scene of Arthurian times excellently.
Cons: Not for people who don't like long books or ones that argue religion.
Summary: A harrowing read, but well worth the while, The Mists of Avalon gives the Arthurian legend a whole new perspective.
The conflict between the growing Christianity and the well rooted Paganism is very much in the foreground and most of the ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jun 21, 2000
Pros: Everything, beautiful writing, believable characters, heart-wrenching ending
Cons: None
Summary: Where to start? I read this book out of curiosity after doing our Medieval Mythology unit in English, which was sadly lacking in actual reading of myths, and focused more on memorizing terms and dates. It took me less than 2 weeks to finish this book. ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 20, 2000
Pros: Told by a woman
Cons: Very long reading...
Summary: The Mists of Avalon, what a wonderful piece of work. It has taken me a very long time to read this book, just reading a few pages here and there.
Marion Zimmer Bradley does an excellent job telling the ancient tale of King ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 9, 2000
Pros: complex characters, female viewpoint, excellent Arthurian scholarship
Cons: modern sensibility in medieval characters
Summary: Like many Americans, I became enraptured by the glory, pain, and pageantry of the Arthurian legends at a pretty young age. I was around 11 or 12 when I read a children's version of Tristan and Iseolt, and there was no going back from that point. ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 6, 2000
Pros: Women's angle is very well told
Cons: Might be a little confusing for those more used to the traditional versions of the legend
Summary: Bradley's concept was so simple, I am surprised more writers do not try it. Granted, a great deal of the Arthurian legend is about the deeds of men, whether it is Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, or Arthur himself. In her book, Bradley takes a ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Apr 26, 2000
Pros: Very well written. Amazing charcters and surprising plot twists
Cons: A bit slow in the beginning.
Summary: I can sum this book up in three words. "A must read" I absolutely loved this book. As you follow the trials of Viviane, Morgaine, Igraine, and the other important women of The Mists of Avalon, you will feel as if you're actually there. This ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Apr 20, 2000
Pros: strong and interesting female characters, especially Morgaine
Cons: religious themes may be objectionable
Summary: I remember when Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon was first released. I was thirteen years old and my mother was a member of some book-of-the-month club that featured it as a monthly selection. Perhaps she forgot to send in some card and we ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Apr 13, 2000
Pros: Beautifully written, easy to read, captivating.
Cons: None.
Summary: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley was one of the best books I've ever read. It wove the Arturian legend in a way I had not heard before - from the women of Camelot's view point. Her style of interleaving the legend, magic, and every day ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 22, 2000
Pros: An epic tale, sweeping and engaging, it is an excellent example of legend-telling.
Cons: Slow in places; some may not like the liberties taken with the Arthurian legends.
Summary: Put simply, I adore this book. I first read it last summer, and have already re-read it once and listened to the unabridged audiobook. I've always been a sucker for all things Arthurian, although I don't claim to be a scholar on the subject, and I'm ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 22, 2000
Pros: Fascinating twist to the Arthurian legend
Cons: It is very long, but by the end, I didn't find it long enough
Summary: The Mists of Avalon is one of my top five favorite books of all time. It is told through the eyes of all the women, but mostly through the eyes of Morgaine (Morgan La Fey), Arthur's half sister. Other Arthurian stories make her out to be pure evil. Here ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 16, 2000
Pros: a must read
Cons: may have too many Pagan and feminist leanings for some
Summary: The Plot The Mists of Avalon was released in 1983 and written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Within it's pages she retells the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters. The novel is broken down into 4 acts. Book One: ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Feb 15, 2000
Pros: Another view of the Arthurian Legend.
Cons: Not enough action.
Summary: I found book one, Mistress of Magic, of the Mists of Avalon to be disappointing. Going into this book, I knew that it was described as the Arthurian legend told from a woman's point of view, and avoided this book for many years because of this. Now ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Feb 6, 2000
Pros: A different viewpoint of a traditional tale, sympathetic characters
Cons: Can be a bit preachy
Summary: This book is an old favorite, a 'comfort book', if you will. I first read it about 15 years ago, and re-read it periodically. Although I know the story by heart, this book is still like an old friend you never tire of, about which you can always discover ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Feb 3, 2000
Pros: Beautifully written; captivating story
Cons: None
Summary: This is an extremely imaginative and well-written story about the legend of King Arthur written from a woman's perspective. The story is written through the eyes of Morgan, King Arthur's sister and presents a unique approach to the life and death of ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 22, 2000
Pros: Well written, Unique point of view
Cons: Think book, not a one day read
Summary: The Arthurian legend is not about a man and a woman. It is about the chrisitianizing of Britain. And this is no better shown than in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon".
Unlike most of the stories of Arthur, you are not ... read more
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Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 19, 2000
Pros: Thoughts fully developed
Cons: Some chapters drag out
Summary: Finally a book that looks at a woman's point of view in Arthurian times. The Mists of Avalon follows Morgaine from child to priestess on the Isle of Avalon. During the time of the crusades, Goddess-worshipping priestesses and druids of the Old Religion ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 14, 2000
Pros: Well told and well researched story.
Cons: Highly pagan influence may be objectionable to some readers.
Summary: From the moment I picked up this book I could not put it down. Through this book I was drawn into a pre-Christian time long forgotten. You get a glimpse of the Druids and how they may have fit into the culture of the Celtic people and also meet the ... read more
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Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 8, 2000
Pros: A fresh take on Arthurian legends
Cons: Long and can drag in parts
Summary: I first read this book my sophomore year of high school. I loved it then. I re-read it several times, and my most recent re-reading was actually a few weeks ago, the day I graduated from college. I love it now.
This book presents the Arthurian ... read more
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Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 23, 1999
Pros: Fascinating & Mesmerizing Story
Cons: None
Summary: I never "read" much about King Arthur but only knew the tales told from bedtime stories, etc. until a close friend (male at that!) suggested this book. It blew me away actually, although I found the first chapter hard to get through and ... read more
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Free Worldwide Delivery : Mists of Avalon : Paperback : Random House USA Inc : 9780345350497 : 0345350499 : 01 Feb 2003 : With more than 1 million cop...
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Retells the legend of King Arthur as perceived by the women central to the tale, from the zealous Morgaine, sworn to uphold her goddess at any cost, t...
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