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August 2013 read!
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Nicole
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Jul 14, 2013 04:14PM
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Oh man. That book was a revelation for me, once upon a time, nearly 30 years ago. The idea that that grand story could be meaningfully told from the women's perspective helped make me the person I am.
I've been reading so much lighter fiction that I'm having trouble getting the drive to re read this. I know it's a great book, it just feels like a huge commitment, haha. I first read it in high school, at the behest of older friends, although it was on my radar as I read anything King Arthur related that I could find!
I have never read it, but I got it from the library and it is HUGE!!!! Not sure I want to carry it on the bus every day, but I will. ;)
Elisabeth wrote: "I have never read it, but I got it from the library and it is HUGE!!!! Not sure I want to carry it on the bus every day, but I will. ;)"You're in for a treat.
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I'm having a lot of trouble with Igraine. She changes her mind so often I just want to slap her. I think she needs a 'sassy gay friend' like that guy on YouTube who visits Shakespeare's doomed heroines. Tell me, if 'fated romance' annoys me, is reading this book going to be worthwhile?
'fated romance' is like the least of what this book is really about, don't let that deter you.one of my favorite books, but not ready to re-read it right now. enjoy yourselves ladies!!!!
Elisabeth wrote: "I'm having a lot of trouble with Igraine. She changes her mind so often I just want to slap her. I think she needs a 'sassy gay friend' like that guy on YouTube who visits Shakespeare's doomed hero..."Heh. Igraine never leaves the story entirely, but she diminishes. Romance plays a pretty minor role over all. Now, frustrated desire - carnal, maternal, paternal, pacific, warlike -- that plays a big role.
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Just wondering what everyone thought of The Mists of Avalon. I got my copy late in the month and am still reading the massive tome, but would love to hear everyone else's thoughts on it.
Adventure_chick wrote: "Just wondering what everyone thought of The Mists of Avalon. I got my copy late in the month and am still reading the massive tome, but would love to hear everyone else's thoughts on it."I read it for the first time in about 1986. Read it about every 5 years since and always see more in it. Don't get me wrong, the text is rooted in its own time and place, coming from a woman who was recognizing and fighting in an INTENSELY misogynistic universe, which, mercifully, neither my family nor my bosses (mostly male) have ever bought into. But her insights have yet helped me understand the fallen world we live in.
I have to say I hated it. Not one character was remotely sympathetic, not one was a decent human being, not one was honest with themselves or anyone else for one second of their life. I already didn't think much of organized religion, though I thought maybe some of the pagan groups were 'better'; now I pretty much think they're all equally horrible. People gave their morality over to their gods, thinking they were acting for the 'greater good', not thinking for one second about the actual, rational consequences of what they were doing.I almost gave it up right at the beginning, but I kept hoping for someone to wake up and stop being an idiot. It never happened. Maybe if I was more interested in Arthurian legend, or period stuff, I would be less irritated, but as it is, I'm over the whole genre.
Elisabeth wrote: "I have to say I hated it. Not one character was remotely sympathetic, not one was a decent human being, not one was honest with themselves or anyone else for one second of their life. I already did..."
I'm big on the Athurian legend, but I too have been having issues with the book. One thing is how oddly she changes some things from the legend. I thought it would be an different POV on the legend, but some things are completely different. I'm finding it only uses the originally legend as a sort of jumping off point to her own different story.
I'm big on the Athurian legend, but I too have been having issues with the book. One thing is how oddly she changes some things from the legend. I thought it would be an different POV on the legend, but some things are completely different. I'm finding it only uses the originally legend as a sort of jumping off point to her own different story.
I gave up on the book at about 25% through. It just wasn't interesting me, and I didn't like the characters.I love epic fantasy stories, so was really looking forward to this one, especially as I've never read a story on Kind Arthur, but it was just too long to drag myself through.
I'm glad I tried it though
I skipped reading this and MZ Bradley when I was younger and tearing through the fantasy section at the library, probably partially to do with the tone. I'm glad I read it, but I don't plan on reading more by MZB or rereading this... I agree that a lot of the characters were tough. My biggest gripe was with Gwenhwyfar, she seemed so irrational at points I wondered if she had lead poisoning or something! I really appreciated the way the story ended, and I appreciate the feminist aspect and value of the book.
