Skip to content

The Mists of Avalon

The Mists of Avalon

FantasyHistorical Fiction
Pages
876
Published
1979
Language
English

Synopsis

Step into the mystical world of Avalon, where the fate of Britain hangs in the balance. This epic tale follows Morgaine, a powerful priestess caught between the ancient pagan ways and the rising tide of Christianity. As she navigates love, loss, and betrayal, her choices will shape the destiny of King Arthur and the very soul of a kingdom.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

DarkEmotionalReflectiveAtmospheric
Morally GreyBetrayalSacrifice

Genres

Fantasy Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mythology Folklore

About the author

M
Marion Zimmer Bradley

Marion Zimmer was born on a farm in Albany, New York, during the Great Depression. As a child, she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy stories. She began writing them herself in 1949 and sold her first story to Vortex in 1952. She also married Robert Alden Bradley in 1949. Early in her career, she used pseudonyms for stories she wrote outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels such as I Am a Lesbian (1962). In 1964 she divorced her first husband...

Characters

Morgan le FayProtagonist
MorgaineProtagonist
Prince ArthurSupporting
All characters in The Mists of Avalon

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this book part of a larger series?

    While this novel was published first and functions as a complete story, it later became the foundation for a broader series of books exploring the history of Avalon and its priestesses. These subsequent titles, written by the author and later expanded by Diana L. Paxson, serve as prequels that detail the centuries leading up to the events depicted here.

  • Are there any screen adaptations of this story?

    A television miniseries adaptation was produced in 2001, featuring a cast that includes Anjelica Huston and Julianna Margulies. The adaptation focuses on the same female-centric perspective as the novel, though it streamlines several complex plot threads and character arcs to fit the television format.

  • Did this book receive any major literary recognition?

    The novel was honored with the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1984. It also earned nominations for other prominent industry awards, including the Hugo and Nebula, during its initial years of release.

Read all 1 reviews