The Mists of Avalon (Part 1) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Rating: C+
This is my first introduction to Arthurian legend and, while all the TH White books have been on my TBR list for quite some time, I decided to start this one first after re-stumbling upon it at Goodreads.
Unless you want the abridged version (and I loathe abridgments), the Mists of Avalon is broken in to four parts. The first part, titled “Mistress of Magic” follows Morgaine from birth through her training as a priestess in Avalon under her Aunt Vivian’s hand.
I love the grandeur of the book–but perhaps I am more in love with the idea of being swept away by an excellent book rather than the grandeur of this specific book.
The plot seems bifurcated since the first portion of the book follows Igraine’s life through to her marriage to Uther Pendragon then abruptly shifts to the perspective of her daughter and little else is heard of Igraine. I’m of two minds on this: I liked the depth of background it gave for Morgaine’s life and the unfolding of the legend. However, it was a little long….if the point of this portion of the book is to give Morgaine’s history depth, then she was featured far too little.
While I originally found the discussion of religion interesting, it has already become stale since there are only a few characters who seem to have the same discussion repeatedly. There is little depth to the discussions other than “I hate Christianity,” “Druids are heathens,” and “The Goddess is awesome.” I’d like something with a little more depth.
I was hoping for strong female characters with powerful influence in the courts (I am greatly missing strong Nefertari from The Heretic Queen) but the women present seem to have little power–even the women supposedly in positions of power (the Queen, a High Priestess, etc) value marriage, male children and weaving above all (and this coming from an avid spinner and knitter).
Had I been able to purchase the entire audiobook for a reasonable price or even two credits on audible, I would probably finish the book. However, I am forced with the prospects of having to shell out another 60 bucks, I doubt I’ll continue.
Audiobook Details
As I said, this is only the first quarter of the original Mists of Avalon. It is frustrating to have it divided since it increases the cost drastically–each quarter of the book boasts a $20 or so price tag on Audible. I would be more persuaded with the “its so long” argument had I not already purchased the unabridged production of Gone With the Wind (49 hours) for a single credit.
The reader, Davina Porter, is enjoyable to listen to though I would have preferred to have someone with a hint of a British accent since the setting is of importance to the story.
Run time: 13 hours, 55 minutes.
