Buddy Read: The Mists of Avalon (January 2011)

[Karla]

I really need to push on with this. I read the first chapter so far that's it! I will pick it up again after I finish my current read.

[Stephanie]

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I've started reading it again before bed recently. Naturally, I like Morgaine. I always like the Bad Girls of ancient history...it was sort of the highlight of my year when Diana Paxson (who collaborated on some of the other books in the series) gave me an endorsement on my novel. She's going to be at a convention in Maryland in February...is anyone going? I'd love to meet her in person and ask her about the Mists of Avalon series!

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

If you get to meet her, Stephanie, you will have to be sure to tell us all about it!

[Stephanie]

Lyn M wrote: "If you get to meet her, Stephanie, you will have to be sure to tell us all about it!"

I will. Actually, are there questions anybody would like for me to ask her?

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

I'm sure we can come up with some, lol. Anybody??

I'll think about it myself.

[Thalia]

I started reading this probably a week ago and better get making some comments or I'm sure to forget it all. Book One (I believe there are four parts to Mists)is mainly concerened with Morgaine but it starts off more from the viewpoint of Igraine (her mother). I felt the author did a reallyy good job here with the complexitities of female relationships. At once hating and loving (your sister, your mother, etc). And then thre is the turmoil of Igraine's relationship with her husband, the Duke of Cornwell, Gorlois. Hardly a match made in heaven but he seems, overall, to be quite a decent fellow (save for his jealous streak). I'm trying to think of other depictions of the Duke. They aren't ususally so flattering. Uther too, in this version seems portrayed quite genially. He's brilliant and handsome and Igraine falls in love no problem here. She's not tricked by his impersonation, she isn't a Lady wronged and unwilling. It's certainly more believable if nothing else.

[Thalia]

Now in book one, we transition more to Morgaine as she comes to the Avalon and becomes a priestess. then there's the "Great Marriage". I'm always interested to see how and where Mordred comes to exist. Here it's innocent on the parts of Arthur and Morgaine. They didn't know. But it does add a new dimension to the Arthur/Gwenhwyfar relationship later.

[Thalia]

I'm a little shy of completing Book Two which concerns itself more with Gwenhwyfar. I'll admit this is a reread for me and this part has been a little harder to enjoy than before. I've read books were Gwen is a stronger, smarter character and I think I have come to like that one better. I'm npot sure what makes Arthur so devoted to her. Other than her beauty, she has little redeeming qualities. Is he so honour bound that he must put down the Pendragon banner to please her...ya, I don't buy into it as much this time....

[ladywallingford]

I'm absolutely loving the book thus far.

I've finished the first two books and here are my thoughts thus far. First of all, the comparisons between the religion of Avalon and Christianity are what really is drawing me more and more into the book, especially as seen through the characters of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar. However, I have to say although I think that the representation of Gwenhwyfar as a very pious Christian woman is realistic for the time, I never really pictured her as this meek, selfish, and very childish woman portrayed by the author. She is definitely not the queen I have always pictured sitting by Arthur's side. I don't really much care for the characterization...

Arthur...well, needless to say, he's not really the king I imagined too but that may be because thus far, the book is mainly from the point of view of the women.

I agree with Thalia that the author does a wonderful job of portraying the relationships not only with the women but between the women and the men, especially that between Morgaine and Lancelot. I wish there had been more between Igraine and Morgaine. I didn't totally agree with the idea that once Uther was in the vicinity, Igraine all but forgot her children. Granted, kings and queens don't have the time for their children as other parents however as a parent, I can't imagine any mother always putting her husband first and totally forgetting her children.

That's all that is coming to mind right now. On to Book 3...

[ladywallingford]

Possible Spoilers for Books 3 and 4

"In the day which is coming, the priests will tell mankind what is good and what is evil, what to think, what to pray, what to believe. I cannot see to the end--perhaps mankind must have a time of darkness so that we will one day again know what a blessing is the light."

As I finish the book, I feel as if the battle of the old versus the new religion is what this book is really all about and the re-telling of the King Arthur legend is either the device in which to tell it and/or the sub-plot. Book 3 to me seemed to be the turning point between this battle beginning with the death of Vivianne. Then, we seem to have a role reversal between Gwenhwyfar and Morgaine, who is now the obsessed woman who is blindly following what she thinks is right. I'm not saying that Gwen grew on me more as a character but I have to say that I didn't much care for the character of Morgaine at many points in this section. Thankfully, Book 4 was all about healing and accepting the inevitable (aka the end of Morgaine the fanatic). I think it ended well and in the only manner it could.