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Title: Priestess Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana L. Paxson ISBN: 0-451-45862-1 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: July, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.56 (57 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Repeat
Comment: Marion Zimmer Bradley illuminated my world when I was a teen, when I read Mists of Avalon. I've read all the books of the serie, in french and english (I speak french). After reading the Avalon Cycle serie, I've realized that every stories Bradley wrote was the same: She changed names and places in Britain, but the story is always the same. Always a foreign Savior in love with a priestess that will bore their child of the Prophecy.
I think Bradley was obsessed and fascinated with Arthurian myths, so am I. But she never did serious researches for her writings about them, until the last decade. So I believe she began to be interested by the 'real' history much later in her life, after The Mists of Avalon.
And The Priestess of Avalon is her final cut, with too much of history (names, places...), probably because scholars didn't think Bradley was a serious writer and discredited her. I think she was obsessed now with the credibility of her stories and she loses all the magic... and the mists!
So, shortly, as a fan, Priestess of Avalon doesn't worth the buying. But if you fall on it, read it. But nothing is new and I've guessed everything from the beginning to the end.
I'll read and read and read The Mists of Avalon again and again.
P.S. The TNT special series was pathetic and didn't look what I thought. Too bad.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Worthy Addition to Bradley's Avalon Series
Comment: I was thrilled to see this book in the bookstore. Marion Zimmer Bradley passed away last year, and the world lost a fabulous writer. I've always been a bigger fan of her Darkover series than the Avalon books. All told, though I love Mists of Avalon, I found it dark and depressing. This story, though it is not as overtly pagan as Mists, attempts to connect the historical elements of paganism succumbing to Christianity. And, it asks an interesting question that spiritual folks have been asking themselves for years...how does one live a life of "spirit" in the real world? Bradley's Elian (or Hellene) recognizes, as we all should, that all gods are one, and all goddesses as well. She takes the spiritual lessons learned at an early age from paganism, and carries that sacredness throughout all the days of her life. The book ends on a high note as the lead character realizes that this is the case, that from a spiritual perspective, she has never left Avalon. And truly, Avalon exists for all of us who wish it so.
Diana Paxson, an awesome writer in her own right, was thoughtful enough to complete Zimmer-Bradley's final work, a true friend's gift. And, of the Avalon novels, I believe this final one is the strongest. If you've loved the Avalon novels, definitely, this is a book you should get. And, if you've never read the Avalon novels, this book is a wonderful starting point.
Rating: 5
Summary: Priestess of Avalon is a walk through Ancient Rome
Comment: From the best-selling author that brought you The Mists of Avalon, comes another timeless, realistic Roman tale called The Priestess of Avalon, the story of a sacred priestess that leaves behind her religious life to follow a life of love, wisdom, and power. Marion Zimmer Bradley brings to life a world of Roman history, pagan wars, and religious controversy in this soon-to-be-classic.
The spectacular style in which the story is written sends the reader into the body of a young girl. Each chapter is headed with a span of five years ranging anywhere from 259 and 329 A.D. as this epic saga continues. We see the story through Helena's eyes and become one with her and her many complex emotions. We are drawn to this personal point of view because it again gives us the feeling of familiarity and intimacy with the characters as our own sentiments are fused with Helena's.
The dialect isn't very modern but it isn't written in Elizabethan dialect either. It is very simple to understand, except for the slight difficulty a reader may have with the Roman names. Besides that, the words are very common and the dialect is comfortably proper. A helpful tool Bradley provides is a glossary containing all of the names and places in the story and their correct pronunciation. There is also a map at the beginning of the book to tell you how far Helena's travels range.
The situations are quite normal for the belligerent Roman period but very entertaining for the historical yet fantasy-craving mind. Chapters about battles and wars are not uncommon in this text and neither are family disputes and love affairs. The situations are based on real Roman battles, history, and gods so the book could be named some type of historical fiction. I'd also say that Bradley has captured the essence of the ancient Roman government quite well. Despite its historical accuracy, this novel is still considered pure fantasy because of fairy apparitions and such appearances by legendary characters in the book.
The breath-taking setting is definitely one of the elements that make the story so impactful. The lush, green valleys of Britannia and the warm humidity of bustling Rome intertwine with the spice-perfumed streets of Palestine and trade-posts in between the many voyages in the story. The descriptive language that describes each place helps transport the reader do that the events are more understandable. These settings already add some seasoning to the already favorable plot so that it's impossible to want to put this book down.
The characters are very interesting and they vary from angry, power-hungry sons to secretive, mysterious faeries. The characters definitely keep the plot going because of their human and complex personalities which keep the story chopped full of surprises, very similar to real life. Constantine, the power-hungry Emperor that is the son of Helena, keeps the story full of tragedy and murder. Constantius, Helena's devoted lover, gives the story romance and a love for life. Ganeda, the hateful, serious priestess, keeps the tale full of punishment, scolding, and vindictiveness. In other words, the characters keep the story well-rounded.
This story is full of small themes but probably the two strongest themes are: "It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" and believe in yourself or trust your own judgment.
I highly recommend this book because of its life-like qualities, situations, and characters. It teaches important lessons that are, again, able to be applied to life. The book is a lifetime in only 298 pages. If you're willing to live another life, then I suggest you read the incredibly realistic The Priestess of Avalon.
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Title: Lady of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley ISBN: 0451456521 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: June, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley ISBN: 0451454243 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: April, 1995 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley ISBN: 0345350499 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 May, 1987 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Firebrand: A Novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley ISBN: 0451459245 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley ISBN: 0671656155 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1987 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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