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The Mists of Avalon
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Zimmer, Marion ; The Mists of Avalon - Start Date April 2nd 2014 (April Scifi/Fantasy)
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Date Chapters Pages PPQC
Book 1 Mistress of Magic
April 2nd Prologue - 4 001 - 060 Lisarenee
April 3rd 05 - 09 060 - 115 Lisarenee
April 4th 10 - 13 116 - 165 Lisarenee
April 5th 14 - 19 165 - 222 Sonia
Book 1 Mistress of Magic / Book 2 The High Queen
April 6th 20 - 05 222 - 281 Sonia
April 7th 06 - 08 281 - 336 Sonia
April 8th BREAK DAY (Lisarenee's having surgery.)
April 9th 09 - 12 337 - 397 Lisarenee
April 10th 13 - 17 397 - 449 Lisarenee
April 11th BREAK DAY
Book 3 The King Stag
April 12th 01 - 07 453 - 555 Sonia
April 13th 08 - 10 555 - 600 Lisarenee
Book 3 The King Stag / Book 4 The Prisoner in the Oak
April 14th 11 - 01 600 - 663 Sonia
April 15th 02 - 06 663 - 721 Lisarenee
April 16th 07 - 09 721 - 774 Sonia
April 17th 10-END 774 - 827 Lisarenee (changed to include April 18th)
April 18th 14 - end 828 - 876
I've been meaning to read this for ages. I'm in.
I can't wait. I have also been meaning to read this for quite some time.
This is one of my favorite books! I don't think I'll be able to find time to reread it this time though. I hope you all enjoy it!
over a 1000 pages? I am slightly intimidated by that
Whoo-ee - I didn't realize this was a long one (though it IS fantasy so I should have assumed probably!). I may not have time to squeeze this one in, but I'll try.
I'm planning to tackle this at the same time as A Dance with Dragons. .... Double epic fantasy.
I read this in highschool a long time ago, but such a good door stopper book. Really good.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Good Gravy Beans, Renee!"Just glad I can start these after Battleship finishes. That might have been a bit adventurous.
Renee wrote: "I'm planning to tackle this at the same time as A Dance with Dragons. .... Double epic fantasy."Ditto....I am a bit scared. lol.
I've meant to read this for a long time, I also did not know that it was sooo long - *intimitated* I'll give it a go.
I ended up downloading the audio from Audible hoping it will make it easier to read.
This was one of my top 5 favorite books for a very long time. Read it in HS and several times after. So glad people are reading it. It is a wonderful retelling of the Arthur legend. I will definitely be dropping in!
Is it frowned upon to start early?
I think I read this one back in highschool when it was in the bargain books section of barnes and noble. I remember enjoying it then so hopefully I will again.
I'm inn too!!! I love Arthurian legends.
I've had the book on my shelf for years! I'll give it a shot as well and hope will be able to keep up with the discussion.
I will try to attempt this book. Its been sitting somewhere on a shelf forever. I even have the sequel.
Tentative Chapter Breakdown -- Should I add a second break?
Date Chapters Pages PPQC
Book 1 Mistress of Magic
April 2nd Prologue - 4 1 - 60
April 3rd 5 - 9 60 - 115
April 4th 10 - 13 116 - 165
April 5th 14 - 19 165 - 222
Book 1 Mistress of Magic/Book 2 The High Queen
April 6th 20 - 5 222 - 281
April 7th 6 - 8 281 - 336
April 8th BREAK (I'm Having Surgery)
April 9th 9 - 12 337 - 397
April 10th 13 - 17 397 - 449
Book 3 The King Stag
April 11th 1 - 7 453 - 555
April 12th 8 - 10 555 - 600
Book 3 The King Stag/Book 4 The Prisoner in the Oak
April 13th 11 - 1 600 - 663
April 14th 2 - 6 663 - 721
April 15th 7 - 9 721 - 774
April 16th 10 - 13 774 - 827
April 17th 14 - end 828 - 876
Also, if anyone sees an error let me know. A second set of eyes would be nice.
Questions and Comments for Prologue - Chapter 41) So the prologue has Morgaine telling this tale which is interesting since it starts with a portion of her mother, Ingraine's, story. Granted, it sounds like she will have an integral part in all that happens. Do you like knowing the perspective the story is being told by from the start? After all, Morgaine said in the prologue, "Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you, and whether, at the end, you arrive in the Holy Isle of Eternity or among the priests with their bells and their death and their Satan and Hell and damnation . . . but perhaps I am unjust even to them."
2) What are your thoughts about Ingraine and her predicament? "A daughter of the Holy Isle must do as was best for her people, whether it meant going to death in sacrifice, or laying down her maidenhood in the Sacred Marriage, or marrying where it was thought meet to cement alliances". Did her wish not to break her vows of marriage endear her to you? From the information given in the prologue, I'd say we can safely assume that Arthur is the King that Ingraine is to give birth to.
3) We have two ways of life at war with one trying not to die out the way the land of Fairie did. "The worlds will drift irrevocably apart and the memory of Avalon will not remain even in legend, to give hope to mankind. No, we must have a leader who can command loyalty from all the people of both the Britains—the Britain of the priests, and the world of the mists, ruled from Avalon. Healed by this Great King"—her voice took on the clear, mystical ring of prophecy—"the worlds shall once again come together, a world with room for the Goddess and for the Christ, the cauldron and the cross. And this leader shall make us one.” What do you think of their plan?
4) What do you think is truly happening with the moonstone necklace? Are the memories both Uther and Ingraine share planted by Merlin and Vivian or do you think they're real?
5) What did you think of the take on Christianity and Judaism? “They believe,” said Viviane, in her smooth low voice, “that there is no Goddess; for the principle of woman, so they say, is the principle of all evil; through woman, so they say, Evil entered this world; there is some fantastic Jewish tale about an apple and a snake.”
5) Are you hooked yet?
Questions and Comments for Prologue - Chapter 41) So the prologue has Morgaine telling this tale which is interesting since it starts with a portion of her mother, Ingraine's, story. Granted, it sounds like she will have an integral part in all that happens. Do you like knowing the perspective the story is being told by from the start? After all, Morgaine said in the prologue, "Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you, and whether, at the end, you arrive in the Holy Isle of Eternity or among the priests with their bells and their death and their Satan and Hell and damnation . . . but perhaps I am unjust even to them."
It is good to know whose perspective the story is from. History is usually written by the victors and there is always two sides to a story.
2) What are your thoughts about Ingraine and her predicament? "A daughter of the Holy Isle must do as was best for her people, whether it meant going to death in sacrifice, or laying down her maidenhood in the Sacred Marriage, or marrying where it was thought meet to cement alliances". Did her wish not to break her vows of marriage endear her to you? From the information given in the prologue, I'd say we can safely assume that Arthur is the King that Ingraine is to give birth to.
I have respect for her because she didn't want to break her marriage vows. She is not power hungry. I don't think she will be expected to break any vows, I think her husband will die and release her from the marriage that way.
3) We have two ways of life at war with one trying not to die out the way the land of Fairie did. "The worlds will drift irrevocably apart and the memory of Avalon will not remain even in legend, to give hope to mankind. No, we must have a leader who can command loyalty from all the people of both the Britains—the Britain of the priests, and the world of the mists, ruled from Avalon. Healed by this Great King"—her voice took on the clear, mystical ring of prophecy—"the worlds shall once again come together, a world with room for the Goddess and for the Christ, the cauldron and the cross. And this leader shall make us one.” What do you think of their plan?
It makes sense. Marrying a Christian King to a Druid princess to produce a child both sides would follow. It seems like they need this uniting king now though, I wonder how things will go in the uears between now and when Arthur is actually able to be king.
4) What do you think is truly happening with the moonstone necklace? Are the memories both Uther and Ingraine share planted by Merlin and Vivian or do you think they're real?
I think they are real memories. I think Uther gave her the necklace in a previous life, and he subconciosly recognised it.
5) What did you think of the take on Christianity and Judaism? “They believe,” said Viviane, in her smooth low voice, “that there is no Goddess; for the principle of woman, so they say, is the principle of all evil; through woman, so they say, Evil entered this world; there is some fantastic Jewish tale about an apple and a snake.”
I like her summary. I was brought up Christian and I find it interesting to see the Christian beliefs viewed from a Pagan perspective.
5) Are you hooked yet?
Almost. I'm also reading A Dance with Dragons, so that is distracting me a bit at the moment. A few more chapters and I think I'll be in. Both books are epic fantasy's, but very different styles. This one is very philosophical.
Questions and Comments for Prologue - Chapter 41) So the prologue has Morgaine telling this tale which is interesting since it starts with a portion of her mother, Ingraine's, story. Granted, it sounds like she will have an integral part in all that happens. Do you like knowing the perspective the story is being told by from the start? After all, Morgaine said in the prologue, "Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you, and whether, at the end, you arrive in the Holy Isle of Eternity or among the priests with their bells and their death and their Satan and Hell and damnation . . . but perhaps I am unjust even to them."
I suppose it's a bit like when someone asks for the story of your life and you say, well it all started with my mother. I'd guess in this case who her mother was impacts a great deal of what happens to her.
2) What are your thoughts about Ingraine and her predicament? "A daughter of the Holy Isle must do as was best for her people, whether it meant going to death in sacrifice, or laying down her maidenhood in the Sacred Marriage, or marrying where it was thought meet to cement alliances". Did her wish not to break her vows of marriage endear her to you? From the information given in the prologue, I'd say we can safely assume that Arthur is the King that Ingraine is to give birth to.
I think women typically had a harder time (and perhaps still do) due to having a lot less rights with what they're forced to do. I got the impression that she cared a bit less about breaking her vows and really just wanted other people to stop dictating her life. I'm guessing if she came across Uther all on her own she would have been more tempted to sleep with him than if she's resisting it so she doesn't do what Merlin wants.
3) We have two ways of life at war with one trying not to die out the way the land of Fairie did. "The worlds will drift irrevocably apart and the memory of Avalon will not remain even in legend, to give hope to mankind. No, we must have a leader who can command loyalty from all the people of both the Britains—the Britain of the priests, and the world of the mists, ruled from Avalon. Healed by this Great King"—her voice took on the clear, mystical ring of prophecy—"the worlds shall once again come together, a world with room for the Goddess and for the Christ, the cauldron and the cross. And this leader shall make us one.” What do you think of their plan?
I imagine if your country has two very opposing point of views then it's very easy to launch into civil war. I imagine that'd be pretty deadly if they also have external enemies to deal with.
4) What do you think is truly happening with the moonstone necklace? Are the memories both Uther and Ingraine share planted by Merlin and Vivian or do you think they're real?
Hrm. I'm thinking they're real. It works out better for why they're the two that end up in this prophecy.
5) What did you think of the take on Christianity and Judaism? “They believe,” said Viviane, in her smooth low voice, “that there is no Goddess; for the principle of woman, so they say, is the principle of all evil; through woman, so they say, Evil entered this world; there is some fantastic Jewish tale about an apple and a snake.”
Heh, I suppose. I tend to think of the Bible as a bit more metaphoric than literal especially after you factor in translations and the fact that the older the text the more metaphorical it seems to be. Mix that with the fact that men wrote the Bible..... I think we're being unfairly setup.
6) Are you hooked yet?
Kind of. These type of dense books usually take awhile for me to get into since I have to get to the point where I can recognize character names well enough to read quickly. It's still pretty slow reading at this point.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 5 - 96) What did you think of Gorlois? Anyone else get the impression he liked young girls? *shudder* He and Ingraine were so much like opposites. Do you think we got an accurate picture of him? I keep thinking of Morgaine's comment about two sides to every story.
7) What do you think of Uther and the way he treats Ingraine as opposed to Gorlois? Did you like how Ingraine was able to communicate with Uther?
How about his sneaking into her house? He kind of put her in a bad spot, don't you think? Peer pressure at its finest.
8) I was kind of sad to all of a sudden get Morgaine's comments again. We get a brief history of how Lot came to marry Morgause. I wonder if Morgause will play a larger role later?
9) What's your impression of Viviane? How about her having another child? I wonder how old she is?
10) So we get an interesting first look as to how Morgaine sees her brother, Arthur. She's very jealous of him but sees it as her duty to take care of him. I can't wait to hear her story. She has the sight just like her aunt and probably her mother. I wonder why Uther would be opposed to someone having the sight? I just didn't get the impression it would bother him. What did you think?
11) Is Morgaine hanging around Viviane a good idea? I'm not sure what I think about this.
12)Would you want to take Viviane's place as Lady of the Lake and have the sight like she has? I wonder if she can change the future?
Hmmmm....this has been on my shelf forever and I'm due to pick up an actual book....gonna give it a try. It is long though ;-)Ack! And I'm already behind...hopefully I can try to catch up tonight.
I started it on time but I am slow with it, I am not yet through with Day 1's "Prologue - Chapter 4" :( I hope I can catch up on the weekend.
1) So the prologue has Morgaine telling this tale which is interesting since it starts with a portion of her mother, Ingraine's, story. Granted, it sounds like she will have an integral part in all that happens. Do you like knowing the perspective the story is being told by from the start? After all, Morgaine said in the prologue, "Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you, and whether, at the end, you arrive in the Holy Isle of Eternity or among the priests with their bells and their death and their Satan and Hell and damnation . . . but perhaps I am unjust even to them." I like the narrator changes with each woman in the book. It makes it easier to judge whether or not I like the character. You get to know a character better when you actually know what they are thinking.
2) What are your thoughts about Ingraine and her predicament? "A daughter of the Holy Isle must do as was best for her people, whether it meant going to death in sacrifice, or laying down her maidenhood in the Sacred Marriage, or marrying where it was thought meet to cement alliances". Did her wish not to break her vows of marriage endear her to you? From the information given in the prologue, I'd say we can safely assume that Arthur is the King that Ingraine is to give birth to.
I was indifferent to Ingraine’s wish to not break her marriage vows. I assumed there would be a way around it.
3) We have two ways of life at war with one trying not to die out the way the land of Fairie did. "The worlds will drift irrevocably apart and the memory of Avalon will not remain even in legend, to give hope to mankind. No, we must have a leader who can command loyalty from all the people of both the Britains—the Britain of the priests, and the world of the mists, ruled from Avalon. Healed by this Great King"—her voice took on the clear, mystical ring of prophecy—"the worlds shall once again come together, a world with room for the Goddess and for the Christ, the cauldron and the cross. And this leader shall make us one.” What do you think of their plan?
I don’t think this was the best plan. They were relying too heavily on a personally that they would not be involved in shaping. Even if the Sight told them that Arthur would unite the two religions, they did think of the people this would upset. I’m only half way through the book but I can see the old ways are going to disappear soon after Arthur.
4) What do you think is truly happening with the moonstone necklace? Are the memories both Uther and Ingraine share planted by Merlin and Vivian or do you think they're real?
I think the memories were real. I think the moonstone was enchanted so that they could see the memories of their past life together.
5) What did you think of the take on Christianity and Judaism? “They believe,” said Viviane, in her smooth low voice, “that there is no Goddess; for the principle of woman, so they say, is the principle of all evil; through woman, so they say, Evil entered this world; there is some fantastic Jewish tale about an apple and a snake.”
The amount of religion in this book surprised me. I think it is interesting that the Avalon women believe that all the gods, goddesses and God are one.
5) Are you hooked yet?
I really like this book so far. It gets a little dull and hard to read when the characters get in deep thought and start having philosophical reasoning.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 5 - 96) What did you think of Gorlois? Anyone else get the impression he liked young girls? *shudder* He and Ingraine were so much like opposites. Do you think we got an accurate picture of him? I keep thinking of Morgaine's comment about two sides to every story.
I don't think he likes defiant women and Ingraine has finally matured enough to stand up for herself. I think he felt threatend. Being fawned over by Morgause made him feel powerful and manly. He has double standards. I do think he did love Ingraine as well as he could love anyone though.
7) What do you think of Uther and the way he treats Ingraine as opposed to Gorlois? Did you like how Ingraine was able to communicate with Uther?
How about his sneaking into her house? He kind of put her in a bad spot, don't you think? Peer pressure at its finest.
I think Uther recognises his connection to Ingraine from a past life. I think he should have waited before bedding her, at least until her husband was dead.
8) I was kind of sad to all of a sudden get Morgaine's comments again. We get a brief history of how Lot came to marry Morgause. I wonder if Morgause will play a larger role later?
She was told she would marry a king and have many sons. I think we will see her around. She seems, even at this young age, to be selfish and power hungry, so I think this will get worse as she becomes a queen.
9) What's your impression of Viviane? How about her having another child? I wonder how old she is?
She is 38, the same age her mother died while giving birth. The average life expectancy during the middle ages was mid 40's. I like Viviane.
10) So we get an interesting first look as to how Morgaine sees her brother, Arthur. She's very jealous of him but sees it as her duty to take care of him. I can't wait to hear her story. She has the sight just like her aunt and probably her mother. I wonder why Uther would be opposed to someone having the sight? I just didn't get the impression it would bother him. What did you think?
I don't think he would be as upset about it as Gorlois, but I don't think he would want to flaunt it.
11) Is Morgaine hanging around Viviane a good idea? I'm not sure what I think about this.
I think Morgaine needs the training that Viviane can provide. I think she is destined to be the next lady of the lake, it passes through their family line and Morgause is not suited to it.
12)Would you want to take Viviane's place as Lady of the Lake and have the sight like she has? I wonder if she can change the future?
I want a more simple life, not all that responsibility of divining destiny and helping it on its true path.
6) What did you think of Gorlois? Anyone else get the impression he liked young girls? *shudder* He and Ingraine were so much like opposites. Do you think we got an accurate picture of him? I keep thinking of Morgaine's comment about two sides to every story. I don’t think Golois was horrible considering the time. He treated Ingraine the best he knew how (excluding the beatings). He bought her things because I don’t think he knew any other way to say he loved and appreciated her. Many women of the time were not educated and shiny things are nice. (Educated women today also like shiny things). He also let her wait longer than normal to wean her daughter when he really wanted to try again for a son.
(view spoiler)
7) What do you think of Uther and the way he treats Ingraine as opposed to Gorlois? Did you like how Ingraine was able to communicate with Uther?
How about his sneaking into her house? He kind of put her in a bad spot, don't you think? Peer pressure at its finest.
I have very little opinion of Uther. I feel like I got to know him less than Gloris. His scenes with Ingraine were boring to me. Sorry!
(view spoiler)
8) I was kind of sad to all of a sudden get Morgaine's comments again. We get a brief history of how Lot came to marry Morgause. I wonder if Morgause will play a larger role later?
9) What's your impression of Viviane? How about her having another child? I wonder how old she is?
She is very controlling. Since I am further in the book I think she is around 40 at this point.
10) So we get an interesting first look as to how Morgaine sees her brother, Arthur. She's very jealous of him but sees it as her duty to take care of him. I can't wait to hear her story. She has the sight just like her aunt and probably her mother. I wonder why Uther would be opposed to someone having the sight? I just didn't get the impression it would bother him. What did you think?
I don’t understand why Uther has a problem with someone having the sight. My understanding is that in the beginning he was not Christian.
11) Is Morgaine hanging around Viviane a good idea? I'm not sure what I think about this.
I think it is good she was sent away. She would not have lasted long in Uther’s court. He completely ignored her. I understand that men of that time sometimes ignore children, especially female, that were not theirs. But it bothered me that Ingraine ignored her also. Once she had a man that she loved, she had no need for her daughter.
12)Would you want to take Viviane's place as Lady of the Lake and have the sight like she has? I wonder if she can change the future?
I would not take Viviane’s life. She seems pretty lonely.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 5 - 96) What did you think of Gorlois? Anyone else get the impression he liked young girls? *shudder* He and Ingraine were so much like opposites. Do you think we got an accurate picture of him? I keep thinking of Morgaine's comment about two sides to every story.
It almost felt like one of the modern romance books where the main character drives away his/her significant other because they believe something that isn't true. However in those cases they always come around. It seems like he went a bit off the deep end and never really recovered.
7) What do you think of Uther and the way he treats Ingraine as opposed to Gorlois? Did you like how Ingraine was able to communicate with Uther?
How about his sneaking into her house? He kind of put her in a bad spot, don't you think? Peer pressure at its finest.
I thought it was a bit strange. Maybe he didn't have the manpower to come in and take over. You'd think he'd just come in and declare Gorlois a traitor and be done with it.
8) I was kind of sad to all of a sudden get Morgaine's comments again. We get a brief history of how Lot came to marry Morgause. I wonder if Morgause will play a larger role later?
Morgause seems like the flirty aunt who's never serious about anything. I kinda see her dying somehow and causing a large event to occur.
9) What's your impression of Viviane? How about her having another child? I wonder how old she is?
Hrm. Not sure but I'm guessing you wouldn't have to be that old to have issues having a child in those days. Even now at 35 they start monitoring a lot closer.
10) So we get an interesting first look as to how Morgaine sees her brother, Arthur. She's very jealous of him but sees it as her duty to take care of him. I can't wait to hear her story. She has the sight just like her aunt and probably her mother. I wonder why Uther would be opposed to someone having the sight? I just didn't get the impression it would bother him. What did you think?
Isn't Uther Christian though? Maybe I mistook that part. It seems strange to not accept it in a child but accept it in the adults around the child. I'm guessing he's just not that interested in a girl, especially one that's not his by blood.
11) Is Morgaine hanging around Viviane a good idea? I'm not sure what I think about this.
I guess she's getting at least some positive adult influence then. It feels like she's left on her own a lot which isn't great for someone of her intelligence.
12)Would you want to take Viviane's place as Lady of the Lake and have the sight like she has? I wonder if she can change the future?
If I couldn't change the future I definitely wouldn't want to see it. If I could change it then I would since I'd have a shot at making it better. Though I imagine you can never know if your actions caused the events to unfold or not.
Sorry I'm so late with these. I have surgery on Tuesday and they said I can't take asprin or Ibuprophen and Tylenol just doesn't seem to work on my headaches as quickly or as well. Factor in the doctor said I'm only getting a quarter of the oxygen a regular person is (I'm extremely anemic at the moment) and well, let's just say I can't wait till the operation to fix everything is over. Questions and Comments for Chapters 10 - 13
13) We get our first look at Avalon. What did you think? Did you like the place hidden in the mists?
14) What did you think of Morgaine's training? We really didn't get a big insight into her training which has lasted 8 years. Did you wish the author had gone into it more or did you like the air of mystery surrounding it?
15) Can you imagine sending your son and daughter off like Ingraine did? What do you think of Morgause and Lot possibly being behind the assassination attempts?
16) Interesting, don't you think, that Viviane doesn't know for certain if Raven or Morgaine will be the next Lady of Avalon? Viviane wields a lot of power, but doesn't truly know if it's the Goddesses will. That's a lot to bear. I'm guessing it's the sight that guides her decisions?
17) This Horned God and virginity ritual must be pretty bad if Viviane thinks Morgaine will hate her after. I'm not sure what's in store. Is anyone else curious?
18) It sounds like Arthur and the sword in the stone will be coming into play. At least I'm guessing that's the sword they're referring to. Is anyone else looking forward to our first glimpse in 8 years at Arthur? I wonder how old he is? I'm thinking he's around 12 or 13, but I can't remember how old he was when he fell off his horse.
Lisarenee wrote: "Sorry I'm so late with these. I have surgery on Tuesday and they said I can't take asprin or Ibuprophen and Tylenol just doesn't seem to work on my headaches as quickly or as well. Factor in the do..."It's ok. Hope the surgery goes well so you can start feeling better! It's no fun feeling ill.
I hope the surgery goes well and you recover quickly.Questions and Comments for Chapters 10 - 13
13) We get our first look at Avalon. What did you think? Did you like the place hidden in the mists?
Seems like it would have to be somewhere where people couldn't get to it otherwise they'd always have visitors or unfriendlies.
14) What did you think of Morgaine's training? We really didn't get a big insight into her training which has lasted 8 years. Did you wish the author had gone into it more or did you like the air of mystery surrounding it?
I think it was a bit like we're looking in on it and can't know because we're not part of the inner circle. Maybe some of it will come up later in the book.
15) Can you imagine sending your son and daughter off like Ingraine did? What do you think of Morgause and Lot possibly being behind the assassination attempts?
I think it was common in olden days with royalty. I think it may even still be common now. Plus the super rich seem to send their kids to boarding schools and such which is kind of the same. I could see Morgause behind the attempts on the kids, or Lot himself.
16) Interesting, don't you think, that Viviane doesn't know for certain if Raven or Morgaine will be the next Lady of Avalon? Viviane wields a lot of power, but doesn't truly know if it's the Goddesses will. That's a lot to bear. I'm guessing it's the sight that guides her decisions?
Maybe she has to wait until the Goddess speaks to her to know for certain. I imagine part of it depends on when things happen. Though if it's Raven it seems like it'd be hard to lead if you can't speak.
17) This Horned God and virginity ritual must be pretty bad if Viviane thinks Morgaine will hate her after. I'm not sure what's in store. Is anyone else curious?
Nothing with Horned God and virginity ritual sounds good. I imagine people making a big spectacle out of losing your virginity and doing it in a non romantic way probably makes it extra painful.
18) It sounds like Arthur and the sword in the stone will be coming into play. At least I'm guessing that's the sword they're referring to. Is anyone else looking forward to our first glimpse in 8 years at Arthur? I wonder how old he is? I'm thinking he's around 12 or 13, but I can't remember how old he was when he fell off his horse.
I think he was 7ish when he fell off his horse, and Morgaine was 11. I think she was 4 when her mother married Uther. So he must be 15ish now?
We will post questions late again, since I got this huge migraine the past couple days and as Lisarenee said, she's not feeling well.They will be posted later in the day
Any volunteers?
*grins*
Questions and Comments for Chapters 14 - 1918)As Lisarenee predicted, the ritual was something violent. But the morning after was really sweet. At least till they recognize each other. With so many maidens available, why did Viviane have to choose her?
19)Thoughts about Kevin and the meeting with the current and future Merlin and Lady of Avalon?
20)And the boy who takes the sword from the stone shall be king. Not Excalibur, as in the Disney version, but the Pendragon one. What do you think about all the symbolism in the book?
21)Arthur seems just like a regular boy. And he's supposed to fight Saxons and unite Britain?
22)What do you think about Morgause, Morgaine and Ingraine's reaction to each other?
23)"But if Avalon was no longer home to her, what then?"
Signs of hard times to come?
18)As Lisarenee predicted, the ritual was something violent. But the morning after was really sweet. At least till they recognize each other. With so many maidens available, why did Viviane have to choose her? I am farther in the book and I still do not understand why Vivian chose her. It seems like Raven would have been a better choice.
19)Thoughts about Kevin and the meeting with the current and future Merlin and Lady of Avalon?
I think Kevin’s name is funny. I don’t know why. Maybe because his name seems so out of place.
I finally started the book this weekend and enjoying it a lot! Taking a break from reading to review the first batch of questions and going right back to it. I was worried that the writing would be dense and heavy, but so far it’s nothing like that and hopefully I’ll be able to catch up soon enough despite the late start. Questions and Comments for Prologue - Chapter 4
1) So the prologue has Morgaine telling this tale which is interesting since it starts with a portion of her mother, Ingraine's, story. Granted, it sounds like she will have an integral part in all that happens. Do you like knowing the perspective the story is being told by from the start? After all, Morgaine said in the prologue, "Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you, and whether, at the end, you arrive in the Holy Isle of Eternity or among the priests with their bells and their death and their Satan and Hell and damnation . . . but perhaps I am unjust even to them."
Having the story told from Morgaine's perspective is very appealing to me because most tales of King Arthur focus mainly on Arthur and his knights. So hearing another version of "truth" is somewhat out of the ordinary and particularly interesting to me as a female reader.
2) What are your thoughts about Ingraine and her predicament? "A daughter of the Holy Isle must do as was best for her people, whether it meant going to death in sacrifice, or laying down her maidenhood in the Sacred Marriage, or marrying where it was thought meet to cement alliances". Did her wish not to break her vows of marriage endear her to you? From the information given in the prologue, I'd say we can safely assume that Arthur is the King that Ingraine is to give birth to.
I respect and admire her for abiding by her duty of a wife and a daughter of the Isle, but at the same time can’t help but sympathize with her for how little, if any, choice she has in the matters of her own life.
3) We have two ways of life at war with one trying not to die out the way the land of Fairie did. "The worlds will drift irrevocably apart and the memory of Avalon will not remain even in legend, to give hope to mankind. No, we must have a leader who can command loyalty from all the people of both the Britains—the Britain of the priests, and the world of the mists, ruled from Avalon. Healed by this Great King"—her voice took on the clear, mystical ring of prophecy—"the worlds shall once again come together, a world with room for the Goddess and for the Christ, the cauldron and the cross. And this leader shall make us one.” What do you think of their plan?
Given the common knowledge of the legend of King Arthur, their plan proves to be quite successful, isn't it? :) At least when it comes to the realm of "the Britain of the priests". I'm very intrigued by the land of mists and really looking forward to learning more about it and seeing how the story unravels.
4) What do you think is truly happening with the moonstone necklace? Are the memories both Uther and Ingraine share planted by Merlin and Vivian or do you think they're real?
I do believe the memories are real. As for the necklace, if it wasn’t for Uther’s reaction to it, I would say that nothing has been done to it and Lady Igraine’s actions are caused by nothing other than the placebo effect. But seeing how he couldn't take his eyes off it I wonder if there's more to it.
5) What did you think of the take on Christianity and Judaism? “They believe,” said Viviane, in her smooth low voice, “that there is no Goddess; for the principle of woman, so they say, is the principle of all evil; through woman, so they say, Evil entered this world; there is some fantastic Jewish tale about an apple and a snake.”
It doesn’t seem to me that Judaism is going to be mentioned a whole lot in the book. If there's going to be a religious confrontation, it's more likely to be the one between Christianity and Paganism. I'm interested in further exploration of both, however the idea and the amount of possible witch hunt is off-putting, hope I'm wrong about this one!
5) Are you hooked yet?
Most definitely!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 10 - 1313) We get our first look at Avalon. What did you think? Did you like the place hidden in the mists?
Like Zonnah, I like that Avalon is physically in the same place as the island with the church, but it's on a different plane of existance.
14) What did you think of Morgaine's training? We really didn't get a big insight into her training which has lasted 8 years. Did you wish the author had gone into it more or did you like the air of mystery surrounding it?
I didn't need more information about the training.
15) Can you imagine sending your son and daughter off like Ingraine did? What do you think of Morgause and Lot possibly being behind the assassination attempts?
I would hate to have to send my children away to be raised by someone else. I can't think of anyone else as a suspect for attempted murder, I think Morgause and Lot are quite capable of it.
16) Interesting, don't you think, that Viviane doesn't know for certain if Raven or Morgaine will be the next Lady of Avalon? Viviane wields a lot of power, but doesn't truly know if it's the Goddesses will. That's a lot to bear. I'm guessing it's the sight that guides her decisions?
Part of the training is to not rely on the sight for every decision, and to learn how to make choices too. Raven and Morgaine are the best two choices, and if something happened to Morgaine then Raven may have stepped in.
17) This Horned God and virginity ritual must be pretty bad if Viviane thinks Morgaine will hate her after. I'm not sure what's in store. Is anyone else curious?
Curious to hear about it, not to participate...
18) It sounds like Arthur and the sword in the stone will be coming into play. At least I'm guessing that's the sword they're referring to. Is anyone else looking forward to our first glimpse in 8 years at Arthur? I wonder how old he is? I'm thinking he's around 12 or 13, but I can't remember how old he was when he fell off his horse.
I think he was about 5 years younger than Morgaine. Looking forward to catching up on his side of the story. I think that is the sword they are referring to.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Firebrand (other topics)A Dance with Dragons (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
The Mists of Avalon (other topics)
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Be Prepared for Spoilers!
Synopsis:
Even readers who don't normally enjoy Arthurian legends will love this version, a retelling from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Morgaine (more commonly known as Morgan Le Fay) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh spelling of Guinevere) struggle for power, using Arthur as a way to score points and promote their respective worldviews. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes.