This book is one of the defining books of my teenage years.  Sadly, the life it defined, sort of like the body I inhabit, has lost some of its definition, but I will never forget the time I spent with Marion Zimmer Bradley.  Something about the purity and simplicity of life on Avalon, despite the political upheaval, appealed to the wandering child inside of me.  I longed for nothing more than to cast off the modern world, don a simple gown and aspire to the crescent moon tattoo.

The Mists of Avalon is a fictional account of the women behind the rise of King Arthur.  It is filled with passion, intrigue and politics, while painting a beautiful other world where things don’t work the way we think they do.

At a whopping 912 pages, Bradley does an excellent job of immersing us into her world.  We long for freedom with Morgaine and turn a suspicious eye to druids and magic with Gwenhyfar, Arthur’s queen.

The best part about this book, aside from the fact that is one of the most beautiful pieces of Arthurian fantasy ever written, is that it has many offspring.  You don’t have to stop at just The Mists of Avalon – you can continue reading, soaking up every last bit of tragedy and triumph, through no fewer than four sequels and prequels to the main story.

The entire series would be a great project for getting through the upcoming winter, but if you can choose just one, make sure you read The Mists of Avalon.