Showing posts with label Marion Zimmer Bradley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marion Zimmer Bradley. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Lady of Avalon
By Marion Zimmer Bradley
So this book is one of Avalon series, obviously, and historically it fits between The Forest House and Mists of Avalon. The Priestess of Avalon occurs at the same time as the middle part of this book but about different characters. This book has the same writing style and themes as the other books, so if you like those you will like this one and if you don't like those, you probably won't enjoy Lady of Avalon.
This book is broken up into three parts, each part following one High Priestess and her time ruling in Avalon. The book was interesting and enjoyable in itself, but I really liked how it ties together the storyline during the The Forest House to the storyline in Mists of Avalon. Marion Zimmer Bradley really worked out a whole history of Avalon that parallels written history perfectly. It is pretty amazing when you think about all of the research that must have gone into these. I loved it, these are some of my favorite books. Read Mists of Avalon and decide if you like that first before you get into the rest of the series.
P.S. I am all caught up on my book journaling. Now I can go read some more books.
So this book is one of Avalon series, obviously, and historically it fits between The Forest House and Mists of Avalon. The Priestess of Avalon occurs at the same time as the middle part of this book but about different characters. This book has the same writing style and themes as the other books, so if you like those you will like this one and if you don't like those, you probably won't enjoy Lady of Avalon.This book is broken up into three parts, each part following one High Priestess and her time ruling in Avalon. The book was interesting and enjoyable in itself, but I really liked how it ties together the storyline during the The Forest House to the storyline in Mists of Avalon. Marion Zimmer Bradley really worked out a whole history of Avalon that parallels written history perfectly. It is pretty amazing when you think about all of the research that must have gone into these. I loved it, these are some of my favorite books. Read Mists of Avalon and decide if you like that first before you get into the rest of the series.
P.S. I am all caught up on my book journaling. Now I can go read some more books.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Priestess of Avalon
By Marion Zimmer Bradley
So after I read The Forest House I wanted to read more of the Avalon Series. I didn't have the next book, Lady of Avalon, but I did have Priestess of Avalon, so I read that. It was okay skipping around because this book seems to stand on its own a little more. At some point I would like to have all the books and read them in order, but it may take a while. This one follows a Druidic Priestess named Eilan (Helena to the Romans) from her birth, her training at Avalon, her meeting and romance with Constantius, her banishment from Avalon, her birth of a son (Constantine), and eventually her life as the Empress Mother. As Empress Mother she works to find understanding between the old religion of the Druids and the new religion of Christianity.
I really liked reading about this time period. It was a time when things were changing a lot and it was interesting to think about how people might deal with something that big. I also really liked getting attached to the one character and following her as she moves through the world, experiences many different positions in life, and seeing how her thinking and beliefs both change and stay constant.
All of my thoughts on Marion Zimmer Bradley's writing style from The Forest House apply here, it feels a lot the same even though this one was completed by her writing partner Diana L. Paxson when Marion Zimmer Bradley died. Again if you have read Mists of Avalon and loved it I totally recommend Priestess of Avalon but if you haven't, I would start with Mists of Avalon first.
So after I read The Forest House I wanted to read more of the Avalon Series. I didn't have the next book, Lady of Avalon, but I did have Priestess of Avalon, so I read that. It was okay skipping around because this book seems to stand on its own a little more. At some point I would like to have all the books and read them in order, but it may take a while. This one follows a Druidic Priestess named Eilan (Helena to the Romans) from her birth, her training at Avalon, her meeting and romance with Constantius, her banishment from Avalon, her birth of a son (Constantine), and eventually her life as the Empress Mother. As Empress Mother she works to find understanding between the old religion of the Druids and the new religion of Christianity.I really liked reading about this time period. It was a time when things were changing a lot and it was interesting to think about how people might deal with something that big. I also really liked getting attached to the one character and following her as she moves through the world, experiences many different positions in life, and seeing how her thinking and beliefs both change and stay constant.
All of my thoughts on Marion Zimmer Bradley's writing style from The Forest House apply here, it feels a lot the same even though this one was completed by her writing partner Diana L. Paxson when Marion Zimmer Bradley died. Again if you have read Mists of Avalon and loved it I totally recommend Priestess of Avalon but if you haven't, I would start with Mists of Avalon first.
The Forest House
By Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Forest House is prequel to the book Mists of Avalon, which I love. I have been looking for the rest of of the Avalon books at thrift stores when I go but so far I have only found one. My friend Vanessa loaned me this and I loved it. Not quite as epic as Mists of Avalon but still great. The story is set in the first century in Britain and follows a Druidic priestess and a Roman officer who fall in love, but aren't allowed to be together. Although they have to be apart, they both work at keeping the land safe and peaceful.
Marion Zimmer Bradley writes really well, she is very good at writing about history and emotions, she really makes you feel like you are learning something while you are reading a novel. Everything that I have read claims that she weaves the history seamlessly into the fiction so that any real historical characters are portrayed as accurately as possible. She does write from a very feminist prespective, something that usually bothers me. I really like her style though, she obviously believes in the power of women, but it is also obvious that she believes that men and women belong together and that they are at their best when they are together.
My favorite part of the books is reading about the Drudic priestesses and their way of life. They worship the Goddess and live in a sanctuary of sorts where they keep the ancient traditions of healing and worship. The sanctuary is in a somewhat troubled position during the time period of this book but I still love the way that live, very committed and focused, very accepting that everyone worships in their own way. I love the way that they are always looking for the power in the natural aspects of the world around them.
I totally recommend reading this book if you have already read Mists of Avalon and liked it, but if you haven't I would start there.
The Forest House is prequel to the book Mists of Avalon, which I love. I have been looking for the rest of of the Avalon books at thrift stores when I go but so far I have only found one. My friend Vanessa loaned me this and I loved it. Not quite as epic as Mists of Avalon but still great. The story is set in the first century in Britain and follows a Druidic priestess and a Roman officer who fall in love, but aren't allowed to be together. Although they have to be apart, they both work at keeping the land safe and peaceful.Marion Zimmer Bradley writes really well, she is very good at writing about history and emotions, she really makes you feel like you are learning something while you are reading a novel. Everything that I have read claims that she weaves the history seamlessly into the fiction so that any real historical characters are portrayed as accurately as possible. She does write from a very feminist prespective, something that usually bothers me. I really like her style though, she obviously believes in the power of women, but it is also obvious that she believes that men and women belong together and that they are at their best when they are together.
My favorite part of the books is reading about the Drudic priestesses and their way of life. They worship the Goddess and live in a sanctuary of sorts where they keep the ancient traditions of healing and worship. The sanctuary is in a somewhat troubled position during the time period of this book but I still love the way that live, very committed and focused, very accepting that everyone worships in their own way. I love the way that they are always looking for the power in the natural aspects of the world around them.
I totally recommend reading this book if you have already read Mists of Avalon and liked it, but if you haven't I would start there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)