An enriching feminine perspective of the Arthurian Legends (The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley)

Member Name: mcader

Product:	The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
Date:	26/01/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spiritual and stirring

Disadvantages: A bit overlong

Now a well known part of the fantasy and legends canon it seems, I'm glad I finally got round to reading this engrossing book.

Essential for anyone moved by the tragic but eternal Arthurian saga, this one has less cinematic description (as in the old simple tales), but all the deeper emotion and intrigue of the court and some thrilling tensions between characters. All this is deftly handled through the wisdom and skill of the author, who succeeds in covering the whole period.

My only criticism that stops me giving it 5 stars is it's a bit overlong, due to often and unnecessarily reminding us of the character backgrounds. However, the great story never weakens.

It is also daringly non-christian and this is the very influential and rewarding aspect of a still v. spiritual book. A new respect for an old, more flexible/natural religion is the overall message.

I also wonder how much John Boorman's film 'Excalibur' was influenced by this, as I note the dates are about the same. It seems to me that this is the underlying power behind the film (which may have changed many things to give the more heroic, male perspective). However, that film and this book (which is much more spiritually mature) combine to celebrate the tales of King Arthur in the most adult way you can experience. I'm sure there'll be some more attempts, but perhaps ...unsurpassable.

Summary: Essential for anyone moved by the tragic but eternal Arthurian saga