[Buddy Read] Mists of Avalon by M. Z. Bradley

[Vi]

Ashleigh and I are doing a buddy read of The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley starting today. Anyone is welcome to join us!

Contents:

Book One - 20 Chapters
Book Two - 17 Chapters
Book Three- 13 Chapters
Book Four - 17 Chapters

Total: 67 Chapters

Chapter Breakdown

 
 Date Chapter List 
25/11/11 Book One, Chapter 1 - Book One, Chapter 14 
26/11/11 Book One, Chapter 15 - Book Two, Chapter 8 
27/11/11 Book Two, Chapter 9 - Book Three, Chapter 5 
28/11/11 Book Three, Chapter 6 - Book Four, Chapter 6 
29/11/11 Book Four, Chapter 7 - Epilogue 

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

im only up to chapter 5.
the writing is a little odd - took a bit for me to get use to it.

[Vi]

I just finished chapter 1. The writing seems to be 'standard' fantasy types. I didn't have any issue with it. 13 more to go!! How far are you in?

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

im only up to chapter 7 - im thinking i wont be able to read the whole book by the 30th lol.
what do you think of the book so far?

[Vi]

Same.. I'm probably upto chapter 8.. I don't think I can finish it either.. or the quota.. why don't we just post as we read?

[Vi]

Sorry, got sidetracked! I'm liking the book so far. I've read Juliet Marillier's books and they are my major source of Irish Mythology. And the prose style is easy for me to get sucked in. I even missed a train today when I was reading.

[Vi]

How are you liking it, Ashleigh?

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

yea its alright - starting to get interesting now, the characters are all a bit dramatic but i suppose people where back then.
im glad the main character stuck up for herself and wouldnt go down without a fight, and even told her husband what an idiot he was being.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

Vi wrote: "Sorry, got sidetracked! I'm liking the book so far. I've read Juliet Marillier's books and they are my major source of Irish Mythology. And the prose style is easy for me to get sucked in. I even m..."

im a big fan of Greek and Egypt mythology - no idea why i like it so much but i do, lol.

[Vi]

I did promise some discussion, didn't I? Here we go!

1. Do you believe in reincarnation or rebirth?

2. Interestingly, the Old People followed a Matrilineality while majority now follow a patrilineal descent. Quote: these Romans counted their lineage through the male line, rather than sensibly through the mother; it was silly, for how could any man ever know precisely who had fathered any woman’s child? What is your opinion?

3. Do you think Igraine reacted believably when she heard of the Uther stuff from her sister, Viviene? Given that in those times, most of women didn't have that many rights, is Igraine protestations to Vivien convincing?

4. Can you believe that Igraine didn't realize that she hated Garlois after 4 years of marriage?

5. Garlois has proven himself to be a jealous husband, unfortunately. But Igrainne knowing this, willingly enters into situations with Uther. And then she fights with Garlois as well. Given that she has already seen Garlois's sight, do you think she could have behaved more prudently?

6. Igraine's feelings towards Garlois undergo big changes often. Are you able to agree with them?

7. What will Igraine's sister's role will be? Which king will she wed?

8. Finally, any idea on the goddess's fourth or the unknown face?

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

1. Do you believe in reincarnation or rebirth?
hmmm yea i believe its a possibility, so i suppose i also believe everyone can have a soul mate but that not everyone finds the perfect soul mate every life time that people can be happy with other people if there soul mate isnt around.
what about you??

2. Interestingly, the Old People followed a Matrilineality while majority now follow a patrilineal descent. Quote: these Romans counted their lineage through the male line, rather than sensibly through the mother; it was silly, for how could any man ever know precisely who had fathered any woman’s child? What is your opinion?
mmmm i think it would be smarter to follow the Matrilineality (in those days) because the character was correct - how do the fathers know their wives didnt cheat on them. now we have test and everything that can determine who the parents are.
whats your opinion??

3. Do you think Igraine reacted believably when she heard of the Uther stuff from her sister, Viviene? Given that in those times, most of women didn't have that many rights, is Igraine protestations to Vivien convincing?
i think the way she acted towards her husband was a lil unbelievable but because viviene is apart of her family its a bit harder to decide, i dont blame her for freaking out and i think viviene was just waiting for her to cool down, igraine is only 19 and her world was about to fall apart on top of her head so i think she can through a tantrum if she wants.
im guessing you thought it was unbelievable??

4. Can you believe that Igraine didn't realize that she hated Garlois after 4 years of marriage?
yes she was in denial, it was the only way she could live the life she didnt want and couldnt see a way out of - most wives back then prob did the same.
??

5. Garlois has proven himself to be a jealous husband, unfortunately. But Igrainne knowing this, willingly enters into situations with Uther. And then she fights with Garlois as well. Given that she has already seen Garlois's sight, do you think she could have behaved more prudently?
yes, the way she just broke down crying in front of everyone while talking to Uther was a lil stupid, they should of tried to stay away from each other as much as possible - it could of ended up much worse than Igrainne being lock up in her giant home.

6. Igraine's feelings towards Garlois undergo big changes often. Are you able to agree with them?
kind of - i can understand her being content with him for all those yrs not realising how much she was angry at being forced into his bed and all those hateful feeling come alive when he accuses her of being a whore - something that was prob a pretty big deal back then.

7. What will Igraine's sister's role will be? Which king will she wed?
i think she'll wed Lot - the king that no one likes, lol.

8. Finally, any idea on the goddess's fourth or the unknown face?
nope, you??


Great questions by the way!!

[Vi]

#1 - I firmly believe in reincarnation. I'm not sure I believe in soul mate though. I believe that each person has some sort of purpose in this world and that there is a person out there for each one of us. Whether you end up with them...

#2 - I laughed aloud when I read that line. It seems so logical, isn't it? But, matrilineal makes more sense. But I can't imagine that in our world now.

#3 - I kinda get her freaking out but given the women of those times, I sorta expected her to accept it because it was her sister, the priestess who has pronounced it. 19 those years is sorta like 30+ in our time, I think. I mean, she so calmly accepted Gorlois sleeping with some maid and fathering her and I was thinking, wth? Then, Gorlois ends up as a jealous ahole. Sucks for Igraine.

#4 - Yeah, true but I also think that she was too young when she was pushed into the marriage that she didn't think of her husband as a person. I think she also had a little bit of self-pity. In a way, I think they both didn't think of their marriage and the other person and just thought of it as duty.

#5 - I was thinking she's behaving stupid. I mean, she already Saw Garlois going to die soon. After the tree side talk and the dream, she should have realized about Garlois and tried to behave more properly. And then after the Garlois argument with Uther, she was thinking of running-away and despair stuff (such a drama queen!) and I was thinking, girl, get a grip and think!

#6 - In a way yes, but sometimes, I think she's projecting her resentments towards the circumstances into him which is another of my problem with her.

#7 and #8 - No idea. But, I *think* the unknown face can be power or vengeance or some such stuff since Morgause supposedly doesn't have the ability to love. All guesses though.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

what was with everyone calling Morgause the bitch dog or something... i was like wtf, lol.

how did you feel about Igraine's sister Viviane marrying her off at such a young age to such and old man??

did you think Igraine was selfish?? like there were times when she thought of other people but even when her husband was dead she was crying for herself.... and she rejected her kids when Uther was around.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

what chapter are you up to??

[Vi]

Hey, sorry for the late reply. I've been shopping like mad and the list somehow gets longer.. I don't know why.

Yeah, I had the same reaction. I mean, power hungry is ok but that??

From what I gather, that seems to be the norm back then. Marriage for gain of something. Don't forget, 15-16 during those times were old enough. I think it's something like if you're old enough to get pregnant, then you're old enough to marry :P

Yeah, I think Igraine is very selfish. It's like she can have only one person at the centre of the universe and everything else pushed aside based on her whims. This is what happened with Garlois. She simply didn't even try to make her marriage work. I mean, Uther maybe her soul mate and stuff but that didn't excuse her behavior.

[Vi]

I'm at the end of chapter 12. Where Lancelet comes back to Avalon. The book is getting interesting. Have you read King Arthur story before? I haven't.. Maybe I should read a gist before proceeding? What do you think?

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

im pretty sure im up to chapter 12 but i havent had the chance to read today. but i deff agree with you about the book getting interesting.

i havent read the King Arthur story before and whats a gist??

[Edward]

I happen to own a copy I bought from a book sale for 2 bucks and look forward to reading it. However it is my understanding there may be incest on King Arthur's part so, as for my commitment to break free from my strict upbringing I may need encouragement and support. "It's only a book," I know, but I'm a special case. (IE: "just a book" don't cut it cos I take things too seriously.)

[Vi]

Hey Ashleigh I've been with my friend for the past two days for her wedding. My reading time is pretty much non existent. I'll see if I can sneak read. gist means a pretty condensed form or like summary of the story.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

Edward wrote: "I happen to own a copy I bought from a book sale for 2 bucks and look forward to reading it. However it is my understanding there may be incest on King Arthur's part so, as for my commitment to bre..."

lol yea when i first started reading avalon the main character said something about her brother being her lover and i was like "what am i getting myself into" lol. but hopefully if there if it wont be to obvious.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

Vi wrote: "Hey Ashleigh I've been with my friend for the past two days for her wedding. My reading time is pretty much non existent. I'll see if I can sneak read. gist means a pretty condensed form or like su..."

lol thats ok, i havent been reading much myself these last couple of days. have fun and party hard :P
lol

[Edward]

♥ Ashleigh ♥ wrote: "Edward wrote: "I happen to own a copy I bought from a book sale for 2 bucks and look forward to reading it. However it is my understanding there may be incest on King Arthur's part so, as for my co..."

Thanks Ashleigh for your help. I think I'm ready for Avalon. Gimme a few weeks, preferably months and I should have it done.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

lol i know what you mean - this book is taking me ages to get through :P

Good Luck :)

[Vi]

Hey Ashleigh, I'm back today. I haven't progressed much though. How about you?

[Vi]

Edward, a minor spoiler regarding the incest: (view spoiler)[ FWIW, they don't know they are committing incest before they do it though (hide spoiler)]. I don't care for incest either and I didn't realize this until I started the book.

[Vi]

Btw, is it just me who is not seeing the pics?

[Edward]

Vi wrote: "Edward, a minor spoiler regarding the incest: [spoilers removed]. I don't care for incest either and I didn't realize this until I started the book."

Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if King Arthur knew or not, so thanks for clearing it up.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

Vi wrote: "Hey Ashleigh, I'm back today. I haven't progressed much though. How about you?"

lol nah i havent read much lately either - im hoping to read some more tomorrow.

[Vi]

Somehow this book seems very slow going. I just finished Book 2 Chapter 7. I'm not liking Morgause.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

well your passed me im at the end of book 1.

the whole stag thing was somewhat disturbing, not as bad as some of the anita blake stuff but still.....
lol.

[Vi]

I'm at Book 2, Chapter 12 or 13 or so. Now, I find the prose very lyrical (and usually, I'm not one to mind that) and the book very interesting. BUT I just gotta keep putting this book down now and then. I don't know why.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

yea its hard to read a large amount in one go with this book and i keep getting distracted by other things, lol.

[Vi]

OK so far:

Gwenhwyfar is becoming very irritating. Religion is supposed to provide for a comfort, a belief in life but the extent to which she is depending on Christianity for her own misgivings, mistakes - arghhhh. I just want to shake some sense to her.

Of course, in those days, people and open minds didn't exist. But still. And I felt this line summed up Viviane perfectly:

Even though I knew well how ruthless Viviane could be, that she would use Morgaine as ruthlessly as she used me, for the well-being of this land and for her own love of power

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

i agree with that line.

mmmm i was annoyed how Viv made Morgaine do the "deed" with Arthur. also Viv's really shallow for someone who's suppose to be all knowing.
and whats with the attitude changes throughout this book? - its like everyone has split personality's! its insane, and there all SOO dramatic!
they constantly fall in and out of love within 24 hours O.O

[Vi]

Yeah, Morgaine with her endless gazing at Lancelet, Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar with their "eye-talks". Guys, could you tell me the secret so that I can also 'eye-read'???

But, I think Gwenhwyfar is taking the prize for the most annoying person in the book. And even with all this, I'm loving the book!

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

lol . im not loving the book but i dont mind it, im enjoying the challenge of reading it :P

and whats with the names?? lol

[Vi]

Hehe, I find the book really engaging. I'm somewhere in Book 3 and the book seems to be picking up pace now. Morgaine finally does some action. Have you started Book 2?

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

lol your already at book 3?! your zooming through this book! im at the start of book 2 lol.

book 3 sounds good! i prefer faster paced books.

[Vi]

I've temporarily stalled this book - gotta finish ohter books for challenges :( But it was starting to pick up pace.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

haha yea im having difficulty trying to read all my other books and this one as well.

around chrissy im going to try and read a huge chunk and try and catch up.

[Vi]

Sure, that would be great Ashleigh. Talk to you then :)

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

im currently reading chapter 7 of book two - the high queen - and i have to say Morgaine is driving me nuts with her pining over lacelet... like seriously?? get over him already!!
i also cant believe Morgaine just ditched her son like that!! especially after the way she felt when her mum did it to her.

[Vi]

Morgaine, to put it mildly, is in a funk. And she's digging a deeper hole for herself. Morgaine ditching her son was led beautifully by Morgause. She orchestrated beautifully. Remember that Morgaine did not really want the boy right up till birth. Only after the birth she started feeling which is when Morgause stepped in. Morgaine is not sure about these stuff and Morgause guided her to her own advantage. It's not completely Morgaine's fault.

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

i know but for someone who suppose to be wise and with the sight you'd think she'd know better!
i dont know... its just i liked Morgaine the most because she wasnt as..... weird as the other woman in the book and now she turned her back on avalon and after some bloke who clearly loves another... it just getting on my nerves, lol. this is why i never read YA romances cause they tend to do the same, lol.