The Mists of Avalon question

I agree if you are halfway through the book and you have to ask, 'should i should finish it ? ' maybe that book is not for you, sad though because Mists of Avalon is a masterpiece.

I actually enjoyed this book even though I read it a while ago. I will admit there were times I had to force myself to keep reading because it could get boring but I was intrigued enough by the re-interpretation of Morgana that I kept up with it. It also helped that the author seemed to have the same disdain for Guinevere that I always had! I'd say though if you aren't into it, don't finish. Just read the synopsis on Wikipedia!

I liked it alot. I came to this book late (found it at the library)and was thrilled. If it doesn't grab you don't read it.
I liked the more human and female centric narrative. I liked the emotional, petty, stupid things they did, even the wise and clever characters. To me it made the Autherian legends more plausable and more interesting.
Guinevere character has ALWAYS bugged me and never rang true, except in this version!

One of my favorite reads! My pick-up book when I need to totally lose myself in another world!

I enjoy books of this type. If trying to get to the end is like a visit to the dentist, then its best you just move on to another book.

Sometimes you're just not in the right age/mood to "get" a book. I finally made myself read Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre in the last few years, after trying and stopping several times. Jane I liked (if not loved), but WH I hated.

Mists is one of my favorite books of all time, and I loved how Morgaine grew and changed over time, how all the relationships grew and changed, even when characters were (theoretically) enemies. My advice is to pick it up and read the first 10-15 pages or so. If it hooks you, keep going, if not, go for something you enjoy more.

I personally loved this book, more so the first half than the second so I can see why you felt it was dragging. It might be that you start again and read it with a fresh view.

When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster is a really great book. It's magical in nature, but it's set in a modern environment and includes characters that are much easier to connect to. I recommend that you read that book instead. Maybe after that you can come back to Mists.

Rhiannon wrote: "I started reading this in 2008 and managed to get pretty much half way through it. It's now been sitting on my bookshelf since 2008 (since then I have moved home twice.) I originally put the book d..."

There were parts that were slow, I grant you. But, this is a very different look at the Arthurian Legend, and if that interests you, try to finish the book. I have always loved the stories of Arthur, but I always felt the characterization of the women was too broad. This book gives a very different perspective, and it is now my favorite version of the legend.

If you're halfway through, you're probably in The High Queen, and you've passed through Mistress of Magic. I did find The High Queen to be the most tedious section of the book. Mistress of Magic was my favourite. King Stag and Prisoner in the Oak, were also very good, but more maudlin. Personally I don't dare even open the first page, because I'd ending reading the whole thing over again, doors locked, phones off, and weeping the whole time.

For me Tolkien was more of an effort.

There have been books that I started reading, couldn't get into, set aside for a year or two and then picked up and LOVED THEM the second time through. The Mists of Avalon is one of my favorite books of ALL times so I'd say give it another chance. It all depends on where you are in your life, whether or not a book is right for you at that moment. If on your second try you don't love it, you don't have to finish it.

I read this book about 8 years ago, and it is still on the top of my list of all time favorite books!!! However, sometimes books grab you at a certain time of your life and don't at others. If I read it now, perhaps I wouldn't enjoy it as much. If it has been so long since you started reading it, you may not even remember enough to continue. Perhaps try reading the beginning again and see if you catches you this time and start from there. If not, then don't bother.

It continues to drag for the rest of the book. it isn't a page turner. If you absolutely have to know how it turns out, then go for it. Otherwise, pick up Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table, The Crystal Cave, or even Mordred's Curse. If you are looking for another feminist revision on Arthurian legend, I don't really know of anything else.

I tried to read this book back when I used to finish every book I started and I just could not finish it. It was a snoozer - dragged like it had a boat anchor.

this is an amazing and life changing book for those who find that it is their type of thing. 'The mists' lead me both to Glastonbury and Avalon and to explore a deeper more spiritual side of myself. This is in my top 3 of fav books ever.....

This is really a masterpiece. In the middle you should think: "O, so many pages ahead etc..." but i tell you - try to read it until end. It is really really good.

The Great Nancy Pearl (Book Lust) has a rule of thumb: if you read the first 50 pages and aren't interested, move on to something else. I've had only one experience when I didn't drop a book until 2/3 or so of the way through. (Shogun), and one I made myself finish and hated it all the way (100 Years of Solitude). Go figure.

Probably you have to read the beginning again and that migth be realy frustrating. I know it's one of THE books to read and it has very good passages, but than it also has the draaaaaaging parts ... I myself had that problem with Lord of the rings and never finished the first book. I saw the movies and tried the books again with the same result.
The problem with the Mists is: the TV miniseries is terrible!
I also agree with some of the others who said that sometimes you are not in the mood/age/whatever to get a book. I was 17 when I read the Mists, so I think it is not an age thing :-)
Try the beginning again and if you don't like it try 'Catch trap' or 'Nigth's daugther' from Zimmer-Bradley - much faster paced.

Mists of Avalon is one of my all time top books. It revisits the Arthurian legend from the feminine view and explores different motives and reactions. The occult arts and mysteries of Goddess religion are beautifully described, and the clash with merging Christianity brought poignantly to light. Characters come alive and inner secrets drive the story. The writing style isn't snappy and probably Zimmer-Bradley would have trouble finding an agent today. But to me the rich tapestry of post-Roman England weaves a story of great fascination.

Rhiannon wrote: "I started reading this in 2008 and managed to get pretty much half way through it. It's now been sitting on my bookshelf since 2008 (since then I have moved home twice.) I originally put the book d..."i loved this book, but if you are not hooked, swap it.

Rhiannon, I first read it all the way through in 1993, that was after starting it several times and business books kept getting in the way. I've read it again since than. Just a great fantasy read. No hurry, that your time. Leave it on the nightstand for months, years.

I was curious, so I just checked: this book is shelved as abandoned 45 times. (One of those is me.) So, those who don't care to finish it are certainly not alone!

Absolutely! But I'd start it over from the beginning and read it all the way through. It's wonderful! I've read Mists as well as Forest House and Lady of Avalon. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

Excellent book....loved it! But if you are not into it and put it down that long, give up. Arthur and the legends go on and perhaps not your cup of tea....
I found this a nice change.

I'd say no.
I think it's a book you either love or don't. If it hasn't captured you and made you want to read more by the 1/2 way point read something else.
I gave it 1 star (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...), but many folk love it. I'd guess that if you're even having to ask the question your not going to be in the 5 star team.
Plenty other books out there to be reading.

If a book doesn't pull the reader in, the reader should put it aside. I've come to the point in my reading life that I don't finish a book if I don't like it. So, if you were able to leave this one half-finished for so long, swap it and find something else you like. I personally really enjoyed this book.

I absolutely love this book now, but the first couple of times I read it it took me FOREVER to get through. The previous books in the series were, on the whole, much more engaging for me. If you really don't like it...by all means, put it aside! It took me a long time to learn to just drop books I'm not enjoying. But in the case of Mists, personally for me I am glad I finished reading it and it's one of my favorite books now, even though it took me a few years to make it all the way through.

Well, I love it. One of my favs. If you don't like it it's up to you. When I don't like a book a try ending it anyway. But that's me. Reading should be a pleasurable thing though. Again, it's up to you.

LOL. I had a hard time getting through this one myself. If you're hankering for a female Arthurian. Try this new one (YA)...

I didn't finish it and I was almost done (I think it has only a few chapters left, before I gave up).
The strange thing I liked this book. It's very original and nothing like usual Arthurian legend. The premise is great.
And it's even written nicely enough for my taste.
It's just that it had been drugging through the last third of the story until I gave up. Strange :-/

I can't imagine a woman not liking this book. So I am really surprised to read some of these comments but to each her own. This is a favorite book of those of us in the world of the occult. The story is unique and insightful. I don't recall that it dragged on but I know the other two books "Forest House" and "Lady of Avalon," were not quite the same as Mysts. The book that was finished after she died, by another woman I felt was horrible and I didn't get past the first chapter.

My brother and I have very similar tastes in books, this is one of my favorite series of all time and he hated it. I think if you really aren't drawn in right away then it isn't for you.

I agree with JulieLaLA- if it hasn't gotten you by now, forget it. I read this book as a release after finishing my master's thesis: it was total immersion for a weekend - even made an excuse to get to work late on Monday so I could finish it. It was a place to be.

Possibly Rhiannon got busy with life and had to put it down?

When I read it, it took about a month, and I'd especially enjoy reading it with celtic harp music playing. Sometimes it was just perfect.

Mists is one of my all time favorite books. I have reread the book three times, the first time was in High School. I took notes to keep track of all the characters and lapses of time. It is definitely a book that drags at some parts, but pays off later. I would have to agree with others that if you havent been able to get into it by half way through, then I would pass on finishing it. Its not a genre that appeals to everyone. I just loved the fact that it was the King Arthur legends told from the perspective of the women.

It took me a while to finish this one as well ... but it IS worth the read. I'd start from the beginning again, to refresh your memory on characters and the plot and whatnot.

Sometimes books can be that way. I've started books that I've had to put down and walk away from for a little bit as well - Eat, Pray, Love being one of them. I think I might have put this one down a time or two as well. But it is SUCH an amazing read. I'd take another crack at it though for sure ... =)

Interesting question. I started this book when I was 18 and finally re read and finished it as a Chunkster book. Did the same thing with the first of Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. Enjoyed them both but needed to be in the right frame of mind I suppose to read them. The fact that you moved twice and took the book with you means you haven't written it off completely.
You'll know if it is ever right to finish.

The answer is yes and it took me about four days of intermitent reading.

I loved the book, but as others say it may not be for you. (I plowed through a certain 900 page book and when I finished I wanted my time back.) When Mists of Avalon was written, it was the first book (at least to my knowledge) that took a subject fundamentally male and told it from the women's perspective. Now this is done quite often, so it may not seem so innovative. I do know it is a favorite in certain essoteric communities. I find most of the other books in the series repetitive and the movie was a travesty.

I thought the 1st half was a bit tough to get through, it picked up the second half. Im so glad I stuck with it because that series is one of my favorites. I did the audiobook version and Davina Porter is my favorite narrator(she did the outlander series narration too)

Hell ya! That's a great book.

IMHO the later half of it might be more interesting. When I first read it I did feel bored after the first 1/3 or so but loved it a lot when I finished it, so I would suggest giving it a try. On the other hand, maybe this book is not for you as Old-Barbarossa said so I'm not sure.

Yes, I have to agree with Old-Barbarossa. If you read almost half of it and you still don't like, it's because this book is not for you. I, in turn, have read the book twice even though the book drags and the story sort of pissed me off a lot. I don't know why I liked this book so much because I normally wouldn't. It could be that this was the first adult book that I read when I was a teenager and it captivated me.