The Mists of Avalon
core novel 1983 The Mists of Avalon
Record
| First published | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Original language |  EN |
| Work type | novel |
| Canon status | core |
| Reader rating | 4.13 (215,071 ratings, collected 2026-09-14) |
| Page count | 1009 |
| First-edition ISBN | 9780394524061 |
Synopsis
The Mists of Avalon retells the Arthurian legends of Britain from the perspective of its female characters, unfolding across several books as the old pagan religion of Avalon comes under increasing pressure from the spread of Christianity. At its center is Morgaine, later known as Morgan le Fay, trained from girlhood as a priestess of Avalon under the tutelage of the high priestess Viviane, who is prepared to manipulate events and people to safeguard the old faith's survival. The narrative follows Morgaine alongside her half-brother Arthur, who rises to become High King of Britain and works to unite the realm; Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's devoutly Christian queen, who struggles with childlessness and concealed feelings for another man; and Morgause and Igraine, other women bound up in the era's political and religious upheavals.
Where it sits
- Universe: The Mists of Avalon
- Series: not part of a registered series (standalone work within its universe)
- Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley
Awards (verified)
- Locus Award (Best Fantasy Novel), 1984: won
Notes
- A retelling of the Arthurian legend centered on its women -- Morgaine (Morgan le Fay), Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), Viviane, Igraine, and Morgause -- and the conflict between the pagan traditions of Avalon and encroaching Christianity. Registered as a single-work universe (LOTR-analogy convention).
Neighbouring works
Publication order and internal chronology are tracked as two separate orderings and are never conflated: a book's place in one says nothing about its place in the other.
- Publication order, within The Mists of Avalon (standalone work): position 1 of 7: next The Forest House (1994)
Sources
← The Mists of Avalon dossier · All universes
Part of the Library. Fields without an identified source are omitted, never guessed.