The Mysts of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

An incredibly magical story that hooks you from the beginning and never lets you go. Marion Zimmer Bradley tells the legend of Camelot from the woman's perspective. Morgan La Fey, Lady of the Lake and half-sister of King Arthur, struggles to keep the Goddess religion alive as Christianity begins to make its entrance into society. Gwynefar, King Arthur's beloved Queen, uses her influence to sway Arthur away from the Pagan-based religion in which he was raised to follow the new Christ-based religion causing a major rift between Arthur, Morgana and Gwynefar. Bradley provides an interesting twist to the Gwynefar/Lancelot legend, plus lots of 'between worlds' magic making this a story that you will want to read again and again. [ BUY @ AMAZON.COM ]

White Wynds sends: "One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It was so refreshing to read the Arturian legends from a womans perspective. I could feel Morgana's frustration as she saw the Goddess religion that was her whole life slowly slipping away as Christianity became the more prevelant religion. It's a book that I have given as a gift and have read multiple times. A 'must read' for any woman".

Malcom Levine states: "I absolutely loved this story. When I was finished reading it, I had no doubt in my mind that this was the way it was. I, myself, am a big fan of Arthurian liturature, and I never really liked the way anyone ever described Morgan le Fey. Every book I had read on this subject made her out to be an evil witch. To me, this didn't seem right. It just didn't feel like the truth. It seemed like a pile of lies. This, of course, made me feel less about these books, for they sounded insincere. Once I read "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, I felt that everything was as it should be. I felt as if Marion really cared about her readers".

Beth Deland comments: " I have read this book more times than I can remember and have received a teaching from the Goddess each time. I have read this book for learning, for fun, when I was depressed and needed solace, and for many other reasons. I cannot recommend it enough".

Maggie Malo wrote: " One of the reviewers said that you will love this book so much, you will want to give a copy to a friend. So my friend did. It taught me that God is not an old man in a white robe".

Tina adds: " I have read this book about 5 times now. It inspires me in a way that nothing else can".

Morten has this to share: " I just wanted to share how much I am enjoying The Mysts of Avalon. I'm not even half way through it yet, but this is the best reading I have had since Tolkien. The story runs so smooth that the size doesn't matter, in fact, I think I'll be a little sad when it is over. I have never read Arthurian novels, and have never been that interested either (except for Monty Pythons Holy Grail), nor am I into magic (unlike those who have introduced me to this book, I'm in love with a wiccan), but the story is so large and well written and the characters are so well created, that I find myself going to bed extra early each night just so that I'll have more time to read in peace. This book is truly fantastic, and I fear the day I finish it".

Dawn Barker made me smile when she sent this comment: "My husband bought me this book and regretted it for the next ten days... I was totally engrossed with this delightful story. I have since re-read it, and put it with my "keepers". An excellent choice!"

Jolyn Van Cleave sent: "I've read the book a few times, as have my sister, father, and husband. It changed the way I felt about the Arthurian legends and it sparked my interest in the Craft. It truly changed my life."

Keo Gathman sent this beautiful story:"When I was pregnant with my first child I dreamed of a lovely, dark haired girl of five or six. Searching the baby name books I found the name Morgan with this definition; dark lady from the water. Since that time I have never seen that definition anywhere again. Since my daughter was conceived on the Atlantic coast and remembering the little girl from my dream I named her Morgan. Until I found Mists of Avalon I hated the Arthurian perception of Morgan Le Fey. When my daughter was in her early teens I found the book and I believe it helped make her the proud, compassionate and well adjusted young woman she is now at 20. And in case anyone is wondering she is blessed with a touch of the fey."

Arthur Cabrera sent these thoughts: "I thought the book was wonderful. The story perfectly described the narrow-mindedness of early Christianity. It also reveals the Pagans in a different light. You can see how human they actually could have been. Although I'm just 13 (I'm quite precocious), it revealed compassion, which can surpass the law to gain justice. I believe this was illustrated when Morgaine sentenced Kevin to a painless death. He earned this more merciful senetence because although he did the wrong thing in a wrong way, he did what he believed was right. It also clearly illustrates to other Wiccans the idea that harming others isn't necessarily evil."

DreamWolf sent: "I have read this book at least 6 times in the past 15 years! I love all her books!"

Mystic comments: "I have read many books of this time era yet none have captivated me as this. It is an extroadinary story told in truth and realistic terms. Once I started it, I couldn't stop reading until I was finished with the whole story. I loved it more than any other story of its kind. And the fact that it tells of the hardships of the women and what they delt with is also amazing. For many stories focus on mens' troubles and not ours. The story somewhat reminds us that we are all in a way drifting into a dream world of illusions and fantasy... deep within the heart of imagination."

Julia sends: "Aloha. I am reading the Mysts and I have found it very intresting. I am Catholic, and intend to stay that way, but I firmly believe that there is no real diffrence between any religion. I find that I am like Morgaine in many ways, and i am proud of it. My sister gave me the book, and at first I didn't want to read it, but now that I've started I find it very hard to stop. I heard that there is another book and I am eager to start that when i am done with this one. Thank you to Ms. Bradley for writing it!!! "

Kaila Beav sent: "I think this book is absolutely amazing. I've never enjoyed arthurian legend, but Marion Zimmerer Bradley makes the tale so interesting and fascinating it's impossible to not be entraced by the words and totally enveloped in the story. I was so sad when the ending of the book came because I could have continued to read this book for so much longer."

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