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In all of the stories about the legend of King Arthur, not much is said about his mother, Igraine. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, retells this story from the women’s perspective, first focusing on Arthur’s mother before his conception.
The reader feels pity for Igraine, who is forced to marry the Duke of Cornwall at the age of 15. Later, she is told to commit adultery with Uther Pendragon in order to give birth to the High King of Britain. Through the Sight, Igraine sees herself with Uther in a past life, and realizes she is meant for him. With the help of the Merlin, Igraine and Uther come together to conceive the future king.
The reader’s love and empathy for Igraine is then transferred to her six-year-old daughter, Morgaine. In other interpretations of the King Authur legends, Morgaine (or Morgan LeFay) is usually portrayed as a wicked sorceress, who seduces her half-brother, Arthur, into bed. The way this book tells the story, the two were given to each other in a pagan ritual without knowing each other’s identities.
The Mists of Avalon is rich in detail. The reader gets into the head and the heart of the characters, including Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar. The differences between the pagan and Christian religions are discussed many times in the book. As regards religion, the reader lives through a world in turmoil. Instead of being able to practice whatever religion they choose, the pagan worshippers are gradually forced out of a land that is becoming a Christian land. Where once the High King of Britain brought all people of Britain, no matter what religion, under one rule, he later turns his support wholly to the Christian religion.
Although this is a pretty lengthy book, I couldn’t put it down. It was worth every spare moment I had.
