The Mists of Avalon

[katie bridgewater]

I'm definitely a girl and I definitely couldn't stand it either, although it was highly recommended to me by a bloke...

[DreamOn]

Druid Faqir, I apologize for the generalization. LOL What I was intending to say, and will attempt to do so a little more clearly, is that I believe a part of the reason why so many women appreciate The Mists is that it is written not only from a pagan perspective (and that is not really true either, if you actually take the historical facts of paganism - I belong to a yahoo group that is basically Celtic reconstructionist and they hate both The Mists of Avalon and OBOD because they say that neither are true to actual Celtic historical facts. For the most part they engage in an ongoing battle to prove themselves erudite and instead come off as absurdly pompous) but also in a uniquely female voice, which is something that I do not believe has been formerly done. A man may create strong female characters, but there is a tenor in the female voice in literature that must come from the heart of a woman. I believe that note is captured here. Whether or not it will be considered as a part of the literature that comprises the ongoing legend will probably have to do with how well it withstands the test of time. I don't necessarily feel that the writing achieves a quality of greatness, but I do think that the fact that a woman chose to create this intepretation at a time when not only earth based spirituality was rising again, but that the position of women in Druidry has reached a status possibly not seen since, well, who knows when, is significant.

DreamOn

[Corwen]

Druid Faqir, I apologize for the generalization. LOL What I was intending to say, and will attempt to do so a little more clearly, is that I believe a part of the reason why so many women appreciate The Mists is that it is written not only from a pagan perspective ... but also in a uniquely female voice, which is something that I do not believe has been formerly done.
DreamOn

Well I'd concede that. We just need someone else to write it again from a woman's perspective and not in the style of an airport novel!

[Willow_Whisper]

Greetings,

I loved this book and from that, I had to read the others in the same series.

Yes the book is different to the film, but it in a good way to as I think there is more to the back ground which the film can not cover.

The film is most definatly my favorite of all Pagan films and I love the magick envocations which they touch upon.

I cant watch it again as the little boy in the film is too much like my brother when he was younger who died very recently, but I shall watch again when able. So far I must of see the film about 15 times and read the book 4.

As one of my loves (besides music and nature that is) is to create costumes, I am hunting around for fabric to replicate in some way the costumes of the film. They would make beautiful robes I feel. Anyone know a good source of wool and linen

Peace and Awen to All
Willow.

[Corwen]

As one of my loves (besides music and nature that is) is to create costumes, I am hunting around for fabric to replicate in some way the costumes of the film. They would make beautiful robes I feel. Anyone know a good source of wool and linen

Peace and Awen to All
Willow.

The fabric shop in Ringwood (just a few miles away from you in Christchurch) usually has some good wools and linen in stock, the best selection in Dorset and Hampshire by far.

[Willow_Whisper]

oooh Thank you Corwen,

You certainly are a cauldron full knowlege and helpful tips

Do you know the name of the shop, or where it is in Ringwood? I only know the main road that runs through it.

Peace and Awen
Willow.

[thehollyandtheivy]

Well, I have read all the novels by this author and found The Mists of Avalon to be a fantastic book. I have as yet not seen the film, but expect it will not be as good as the book. Films rarely are in my opinion. I was very disappointed in Gone with the wind for that reason!

I have read other Arthurian Legend novels but must admit to looking forward to re-reading the Mists of Avalon. No matter how improbable some may feel it to be!

/I\

[Corwen]

oooh Thank you Corwen,

You certainly are a cauldron full knowlege and helpful tips

Do you know the name of the shop, or where it is in Ringwood? I only know the main road that runs through it.

Peace and Awen
Willow.

There is only one fabric shop in Ringwod, I think it's just called something like 'Ringwood Fabrics'. Its on the High Street near the strange metal circular seat thing, ie not at the market place end, but at the other end.

There is also a knitting shop and an art materials shop and a good health food shop (Scoltocks) in Ringwood, which is suprising for such a small town, presumably because the Steiner school has helped a slightly alternative scene to develop. If you are there you should also check out my friend Sana's 'Green' shop called Timber, up Star Lane.

The nearby Steiner School, (just off the road to Verwood, directions:http://www.lanterncommunity.org.uk/the_lantern.php?PID=2) has a shop selling Green things, handcrafts and spiritual books, plus a small cafe (get there early, they sometimes run out of food by 1.30!), collectively called the Lantern Centre. I play music for the country dance lessons in the school on a Thursday morning in term time, pm me if you'd like to meet for a cup of tea!

http://www.lanterncommunity.org.uk/the_lantern.php?PID=2

[Willow_Whisper]

Ahh I may take you up on the offer of a cup of tea Corwen

Thank you for the info about Ringwood.. I shall go and find it when I am able. (yesss.. fabrics !!)

Peace and Awen
Willow

[Ben Wood]

Personally the Mists of Avalon is one of my favourite novels. It set me on the path I'm on and I return to it regularly for inspiration. I agree with everything that has been said about the matter of historical accuracy. The book is wonderful fiction and shouldn't be treated as a historical guidebook however I believe it is still of value. At the heart of the book lies Bradley's personal philosophy- a wonderful blend of Feminism, Christianity, Goddess-worship, myth and Theosophy. For me one of Mists central messages is that, despite appearances, both pagans and Christians worship the same Divine Light and participate in the same Mysteries. In typical Bradley-style she tells us towards the end of Mists

Whispers came from the outside world to Morgaine through some of the old brotherhood of priests who came in these days to Avalon; Christians, some of them, of the old ones who had once worshipped beside the Druids, in their firm belief that their Christ had once lived here on Avalon and been taught wisdom. Now, fleeing from the enforced conformity of that new breed of Christians who would wipe out all other worship but their own, they came to Avalon,
and from them Morgaine heard something of the Grail [p. 362].

What a wonderful image- that of persecuted Christians fleeing to 'pagan' Avalon for safety! Even if its not 'history' doesn't the longing for the kind of religion the book describes deserve respect in its own right? Do our deepest longings need to backed up by history to be Druidry? Couldn't some of us be Zimmer-Bradley-Druids? Certainly I'm happy with that description! Reconstructions are likely to deem me a 'fluffy bunny' but I'm not going to apologise . Sometimes we fluffy bunnies have to learn to stand up for ourselves!

[D'Arzhur]

I read the whole thread before getting and starting the book at Christmas and re-read the whole thread now that I have just finished it.
Thank you all for posting your opinions as different as they might be

I loved it ! I love the film too but I prefer by far the book. I read it about 5 pages at a time at night (I read non novel books during the day) and I suspect I read so slowly because I enjoyed it so much...

I have now started "the forest house"...

[Willowen]

Greetings,
I never read the book, but my friend finally finished it and I thought I would give it a try. I've seen the movie and I really enjoyed it. I am still reading the book (I am one of those people who read about five books at a time) and I am sure I will finish it at some point. I like the book because it gives a different perspective on the character of Morgaine. Yes, I know the book is fiction but I like seeing the good side of her brought to light.