The Mists of Avalon

by Marion Zimmer Bradley | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0140177191 Global Overview for this book
Registered by buggyhare of Brisbane, Queensland Australia on 7/10/2005
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6 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by buggyhare from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Sunday, July 10, 2005
I really enjoyed this book - I couldn't put it down! (Although I did find the ending a little disappointing - I felt it just... finished!) I only had vague ideas about the Arthurian legend before I read this book - it would be interesting to compare it with a more "traditional" version of the story.

From Amazon.com:
"Even readers who don't normally enjoy Arthurian legends will love this version, a retelling from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Morgaine (more commonly known as Morgan Le Fay) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh spelling of Guinevere) struggle for power, using Arthur as a way to score points and promote their respective worldviews. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes."

Being offered as a bookring. Participants:
Pixette
amberC
Crystaljade <= with Crystaljade now
kzel
Melanie2474
astro2480

Then back to me if no more takers.


Journal Entry 2 by wingPixettewing from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, August 4, 2005
I picked this 'little' volume up from my postbox today. It does look interesting. Although at 1000+ it is a bit daunting.

Journal Entry 3 by wingPixettewing from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Friday, September 9, 2005
I am immensely enjoying the book. Over the years I've read a number of arthurian tales and it's interesting to see all the familiar characters but with different nuances of character and plotline. The style of writing I'm finding enchantingly visual also.

I wish I was in a situation where I didn't have to put the book down. Unfortunately as it's quite large, I'm having to ration my reading time so other necessary tasks get done.

I've just finished book 1 (about a quarter of the way) and Arthur has just been crowned - I don't figure that would be spoiling the plot for anyone!

I'll need to put it down for a couple of days to complete some other required reading but am keen to pick up again as soon as practicable.

Thanks buggyhare for the bookring.

Journal Entry 4 by wingPixettewing from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Complete!

I finished this book today. The journey of the characters through childhood and middle/old age, then disillusionment regarding values originally held as immovable was fascinating.

The characters were drawn extremely well - on epic proportions a la "Gone With the Wind". In fact I found many synergies with Morgaine and Scarlet. The strength and arrogance was all there.

I felt there was an overwhelming moral: the old ways are replaced with the new, with reticence by many, and they in turn are replaced and the cycle continues.

The research done into ancient traditions and what folklore that remains is very evident.

I have read a number of Arthurian tales but this is now what I hold to be the best I have encountered so far.

Each of the famous characters (Uther, Igraine/Ygraine, Merlin, Arthur, Gwydion, Mordred, Gawaine, Morgana/Morgaine, Morgause, Gwenhwyfar/Guenevere Lancelet/Lancelot, Gareth, Galihad/Percival, many many more down to Nimue who plays a small but very significant part - she is less often mentioned in the myths/legends of the time) are all present and woven into a coherent classical tale.

Well done Marion Zimmer Bradley

I will send it on its way shortly

Journal Entry 5 by wingPixettewing at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Monday, November 28, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (11/28/2005 UTC) at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

To be posted to AmberC

Journal Entry 6 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Monday, December 5, 2005
it arrived safely and very well wrapped today. i was wondering what could be hidden inside an express post bag, then another large envelope, then a plastic bag then multiple layers of newspaper.

i have just finished, The Pendragon Cycle. it will be interesting to read another take on the Arthurian legend.

i have a few before it, but will read ASAP.

Journal Entry 7 by wingPixettewing from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, December 5, 2005
lol. It started as the paper envelope. I didn't want the book to be destroyed by rough handling - therefore the newspaper. Then the protection from the rain - the plastic bag.

But!
When I got to the post office with my various parcels to weigh and price, I was told it would be cheaper to send this one as an express post.

So that's the story of the very safe and special pass-the-parcel.

I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.

Pixette

Journal Entry 8 by amberC from Darwin, Northern Territory Australia on Thursday, December 29, 2005
It was interesting to read another take on Arthur so soon. the same characters, some with different personalities and told from a different angle. Gwenhwyfar came across as a lot weaker character in this, she annoyed me a lot of the time.

an enjoyable read. i will be posting it to Crystaljade this afternoon.

Journal Entry 9 by Crystaljade from Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Arrived today. I am nearly finished the book I'm currently reading, so I should be getting to this one tomorrow or Thursday. I'm interested to see the Arthur legend from the women's perspective.

I like the postcard that came with it too, instant bookmark *grins*. The Mindil Beach pic could alsmost be on of our Hervey Bay beaches! Maybe one day I'll get to visit Darwin and see it for myself.

Journal Entry 10 by Crystaljade from Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia on Sunday, January 22, 2006
I enjoyed this book, especially the details on the ancient traditions and religions. Many of the Arthurian legends I've read (or seen in movies) portray Morgaine/Morgana as an evil person, this book showed her as a strong woman who did what she felt she had to do. She may have been wrong sometimes, but she was doing what she felt was right.

I felt Lancelet was shown as quite a weak man in this one. He never stood up for himself or for what he really wanted. He was like a feather being blown where ever the winds of life wanted him to go. From not speaking up about his true feelings for Gwenhwyfar before she was married, to being led into adultery, to being tricked into marrying Elaine, and eventually to leaving Gwenhwyfar in a nunnery when he really wanted to be with her. For a man who was brave when fighting wa srequired, he really was a wuss when it came to personal matters.

Journal Entry 11 by Crystaljade from Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia on Thursday, February 16, 2006
Posted to kzel yesterday.

Journal Entry 12 by kzel from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Received 22/02/06. I'm in the middle of another book at the moment, but I will start it asap.

Journal Entry 13 by kzel from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Monday, March 20, 2006
I found this to be a fascinating read, though at times it was fairly dense and slow reading (but enjoyable despite this!)
I felt that the characterisation was excellent, and you really felt as if you had an insight into what drove them all, and why they interacted the way that the did.
It was especially interesting that the story came from the view point of the character who is usually cast as the evil character in most of the other arthurian ledgends.
Definitely worth tackling all of those pages!

Journal Entry 14 by astro2480 from Lismore, New South Wales Australia on Monday, March 27, 2006
Arrived today ... big book, little writing!

Journal Entry 15 by astro2480 from Lismore, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, June 8, 2006
So many words, such little writing 8-(

But I did enjoy it ... there isn't really much more I can add to what has already been said above, so I'll just say that it was an enjoyable read and worth the effort!

On its way home ... thanks for making it available buggyhare.

Journal Entry 16 by buggyhare from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Arrived home safely yesterday. Thanks for participating everyone! (And thanks for the bookmark, astro2480!)

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