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The Mists of Avalon

created by bozon

(thing) by bozon (5.7 y) (print)   ?   (I like it!) Sat Nov 13 1999 at 14:19:49

Marion Zimmer Bradley's complex Arthurian fantasy told from the point of view of Morgan le Fey, King Arthur's sister. Includes lots of Celtic mythology and Ban-Droi background (that's a female druid to you neophytes) This story is continued in the subsequent The Forest House.

(thing) by Wuukiee (4.7 hr) (print)   ?   (I like it!) Fri Dec 15 2000 at 2:34:44

fascinating and complex version of the arthur legends that really is a piece of genius.

this piece very skillfully smoothes over and clarifies questions and some inconsistancies from typical legend, like "why in the *world* would morgan sleep with her *half brother*?" and "what *was* going on with lancelot and guenevere?".

The book's strength is in its deep deep character development and interaction. The people seem *real*, alive. And it's impossible, this way, to find a "bad guy". Traditional lore paints morgan as *evil* and wicked. Here, she and arthur and every other major player are simply shown as *human* and mortal each with their own set of morals and values and weaknesses and aspirations and desires and ambitions. No one's "wrong" or "devil-spawn" or "wicked". Just human. and thus prone to human confusion and human flaw.

the difference in the frame of reference is beatuifully done in this work. It paints the dichotomy between christianity and paganism and the old ways that actaully *was* growing in the time that arthur may have ruled. It is the difference in religion and perspective that causes so so many of the complex issues that are not explained elsewhere. this interplay is complex and elaborate and really quite beautifully crafted. it lets you see the situation from an entirely different set of eyes.

the book is also quite accurate in representing various representations of priestess, celtic, pagan, and magickal ways.

very much a fine piece of art and of storytelling and of intricacy


printable version
chaos

Key inconsistencies in retelling of the Arthurian Legend Marion Zimmer Bradley Ban-Droi The mutual problem of Christians and feminists
Men are stupid, women are evil, food is good Avalon Cassandra complex hieros gamos
Heinlein and Rand are both fascist wankers Arthurian Mythology Morgaine Lady of the Lake
Nice names for stupid people Mélusine of Lusignan Celtic neophyte
King Arthur Sub rosa Lost Goddesses of Early Greece The Count of Monte Cristo
Mordred Paganism magick Vanna White is now obsolete
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