The Mists of Avalon

This book is a fall-back for me. I read it a very long time ago, over and over again. My paperback copy pretty much disintegrated. It had been a long time since my last reading, and I wanted something long so that I could get caught up on my reviews while I was reading. That didn’t work. I read, but didn’t review (hence my short crappy reviews on the last possible day!).

Anyway, if you’re reading this (and I hope you’re not – this is not my best work, folks), you have probably read this book. This is the Arthurian legend told mainly through the eyes of the women in his life. His mother, Igraine, who was basically bounced around because of her beauty and apparent pliability, but was she as weak as everyone thought? His sister, Morgaine, shunted aside when the king had a son, fostered by Viviane, the lady of the lake. Viviane herself, queen witchy lady of Avalon. His other aunt, Morgause, beautiful, scheming, and super duper horny. And then there’s Gwenwhyfar, please do not get me started on her. Can’t freaking stand Gwen.

Then there’s the battle for Britain’s soul. The Romans have pretty much left, but left behind their andro-centric culture, which is in direct opposition to the Celtic culture that was there before. They also left the Catholic church, such as it is, with its anti-science, anti-woman teachings. The clash of cultures informs Arthur’s kingship and all of his relationships.

It’s silly for me to recommend or not recommend this book – I don’t know anyone who hasn’t read it. But if you haven’t, you probably should.