Auliya B. (auliya) reviewed on + 141 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I had no idea this book was so well-loved.
I'm a fan of Sherri S. Tepper and Tad Williams. Someone mentioned that "Mists of Avalon" would be the best of both worlds: a long, detailed story with an amazing scope and amazing characters, and a feminist theme to carry it along. Just so you know, I read it ignorant of all the hype. I was skeptical of the "3 Months on the New York Times Best Seller List!" sticker on the front. Round about chapter 18 I was joking with my husband that it stayed on the list that long only because that's how long it takes to READ the blasted thing. Needless to say, I wandered to a stop before I reached chapter 20. I never even made it halfway.
Writing: Dull, lifeless, unevocative, boring.
Characters: Unpredictable, poorly motivated.
Story: Nothing good to say. (I don't know the original Arthurian legend from a Beatrix Potter tale. Maybe that would have helped me.)
Feminist theme: Excellent in terms of spotlighting how the men treat the women and what men's expectations of women are. Poor for the trite depiction of the priestesses and the constant ridiculously over-dramatic references to the Goddess. (Elizabeth Hand plays a better song with "Waking the Moon" -- go try that one.)
Religious Theme: Christians = bad. Got it.
Despite the fact this book was a waste of my time, it obviously wasn't a waste of time for a thousand others. (Check out the reviews here. Can you believe it?) So I'll moderate my thumbs-down with an acknowledgement that this book has impressed and entertained many people, and that counts for something. (Right?)
I'm a fan of Sherri S. Tepper and Tad Williams. Someone mentioned that "Mists of Avalon" would be the best of both worlds: a long, detailed story with an amazing scope and amazing characters, and a feminist theme to carry it along. Just so you know, I read it ignorant of all the hype. I was skeptical of the "3 Months on the New York Times Best Seller List!" sticker on the front. Round about chapter 18 I was joking with my husband that it stayed on the list that long only because that's how long it takes to READ the blasted thing. Needless to say, I wandered to a stop before I reached chapter 20. I never even made it halfway.
Writing: Dull, lifeless, unevocative, boring.
Characters: Unpredictable, poorly motivated.
Story: Nothing good to say. (I don't know the original Arthurian legend from a Beatrix Potter tale. Maybe that would have helped me.)
Feminist theme: Excellent in terms of spotlighting how the men treat the women and what men's expectations of women are. Poor for the trite depiction of the priestesses and the constant ridiculously over-dramatic references to the Goddess. (Elizabeth Hand plays a better song with "Waking the Moon" -- go try that one.)
Religious Theme: Christians = bad. Got it.
Despite the fact this book was a waste of my time, it obviously wasn't a waste of time for a thousand others. (Check out the reviews here. Can you believe it?) So I'll moderate my thumbs-down with an acknowledgement that this book has impressed and entertained many people, and that counts for something. (Right?)
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