Why it's known as "The Isle of Avalon"

The Isle of Avalon of Arthurian legend is often associated identified with Glastonbury Tor, a striking conical hill rising out of the Somerset Levels, a wetland area in Somerset known to be have been flooded hundreds of years ago, but now drained and reclaimed. Whilst other sites have been suggested, as far afield as Sicily (really‽), most people would still claim Glastonbury Tor as the real Avalon, what with it being in the West Country of England, where King Arthur would have been operating. Sicily is right out. Reclamation of the Levels probably began with the Romans, and was largely completed in the 17th century, though the Tor may still have briefly been an island during floods.

The etymology of Avalon is almost certainly connected with apples, or more generically, fruit, though there's some suggestion of a link to a man named Avalloc, who allegedly lived on the isle.

Whatever the case, there's certainly

Along with many other meanings, "Avalon" is a 2022 literary fiction novel by Nell Zink. The book is a comedy, something I didn't realize until about a quarter of the way into the 200 page book. Although it is a written in a humorous manner, it also deals with certain aspects of its coming of age story in a serious way.

Bran is a young woman being raised in Southern California by her step-father after her mother dies. She works in the nursery of his extended family, who are also

It's the most wonderful time of the beer
With the strippers jingle balling
And everyone telling you be a good peer
It's the most wonderful time of the beer!

It's the clap-clappiest reason of all
With those Bollywood bleatings and bush glowy fleetings
When all come to ball
It's the clap-clappiest drink of all

There'll be pissings for having
and chestnuts for halfing
And snorting after the show
There'll be massively whoring
And gales