This is an epic tale that spans many years, introduces new characters, sees beloved characters die, but always focuses on the women. I won’t recount all that follows afterwards.
But Igraine’s roots are in the magical island of Avalon and her ties to that world of magic lead Viviane and the Merlin to Tintagel Castle one day to prophecy that Igraine will bear the King who will unite all of Britain. And of course love has no place in that world. I remember first picking up this book at a young age (I want to say 14 or 15 years old?) and being shocked that a young girl of 14 could be married off to some duke or prince and already have had her first child! While I may know a little more about history now, I still felt the same unease when I read about Igraine – essentially still a child herself – think about childbirth and her marriage bed and wifely duties.
The very beginning of this book already sets the tone of the entire novel. It begins before Arthur is even born, with his mother Igraine, who is unhappily married to Gorlois, a man twice her age. If I had to sum up this book quickly, I’d say it’s Arthur’s story but from the women’s point of view – except that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Bradley delivers in this epic story. We’ve all heard the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, but never quite like this. A spellbinding novel, an extraordinary literary achievement, THE MISTS OF AVALON will stay with you for a long time to come…. Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne.
Finally – thanks again to Ashley from Bookkeeping for the recommendation – I picked up this mighty tome and dove into this world of myths and magic and powerful women.įirst line: Morgaine speaks… In my time I have been called many thigns: sister, lover, priestess, wise-woman, queen. Not by publication year but by the sheer amount of time it has spent in my possession, unread. This is probably one of the oldest books I own.
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