Book Review: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley clocks in at seven hundred and eighty two pages and was published in 1982 and in my opinion is the best book that has ever been written about the legend of King Arthur. What separates this book from so many others that it is told from the female perspective. Morgaine and her island of women are not trying to ruin Arthur and Christianity what they are trying to do is to protect themselves and all women and honor the God of olde. One of the other things that I really enjoyed was that Guinevere who has a history of being pious and one who suffers for the cause with grace is a pest and in many ways insufferable. Guinevere character added a whole other level of depth to the story.

For anyone who likes science fiction and romance along with history and mythology not to mention women's studies and the study of herbs and ancient lore this book is for you Ms. Bradley does an amazing job of intertwining all of the stories and all of the history and captures a time and a legend that will transport you back to the round table. Her descriptions are full of such clarity and vision you will begin to see yourself sitting next to your favorite character drinking a pint of Meade and being served a helping of venison and then sneaking off with another to finish the night hidden away in a spot where one would not be interrupted.

The relationship between Guinevere and Arthur and Lancelot is multi-layered and Ms. Bradley brings in another element in the Arthur and Lancelot relationship that does not exist in other books written about these legends. Another relationship that is truly explored is the one between Lancelot and Morgaine and one is left to wonder if Lancelot had made a different choice how would that have impacted Arthur and all of the knights of the round table.

Additionally, Merlin is truly magical and is working both behind the scenes with Morgaine and in front of them with Arthur to keep his history and his belief system alive. Ms. Bradley also gives the reader insight into how many of the Christian rituals and holidays that are practiced today arose out of pagan rituals and celebrations. This book is truly magical and my words do not begin to do it justice all I can tell you is that I read at least three books a week and I have been reading for decades and this book along with A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is ALWAYS in my top ten.

In closing if you like (or in my case LOVE) The Mists of Avalon I recommend that you pick up the Trilogy by Susan Carroll which consists of The Dark Queen, The Courtesan and The Huntress ( The Courtesan is the best of the three but they are all worth you time)