Author, feminist and religious revolutionary
Her famous 'Mists of Avalon' rewrote the story of King Arthur and Camelot from the female perspective. In all her literary work Marion Zimmer Bradley explored themes like:
- Female strength and male oppression
- Social structures that stifle women and some women try to change
- Female to female love and affection
- Environmental problems
- Psy powers and clairvoyance
- Paganism versus Christianity
Her heritage is felt most deeply in the literary genry of fantasy (though her darkover series might also be classified as science fiction) and in the realm of wicca and paganism.
Sixties maverick
This lens goes into each of those topics.
A selection of Marion Zimmer Bradley books
Introduction to the Mists of Avalon
The Mists of Avalon - Morgaine tells the Beginning
THE MISTS OF AVALON, a TNT original miniseries adapted from the acclaimed 1982 epic novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, transports viewers to King Arthur's Camelot and focuses on the strong and powerful women who ruled over the kingdom. Viviane (Anjelica Huston), her sisters Morgause (Joan... THE MISTS OF AVALON, a TNT original miniseries adapted from the acclaimed 1982 epic novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, transports viewers to King Arthur's Camelot and focuses on the strong and powerful women who ruled over the kingdom. Viviane (Anjelica Huston), her sisters Morgause (Joan Allen) and Igraine (Caroline Goodall), and her niece Morgaine (Julianna Margulies), fight to protect their country, their religion, and their people, as King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table battle the Saxons. Based on the bestseller by Marion Zimmer Bradley It tells the story of the women behind King Arthur; including his mother, Igraine; his half-sister,Morgaine;his aunt Viviane,the Lady of the Lake;and his wife, Gwenwyfar. Cast (Credited cast) Anjelica Huston - Vivianne Julianna Margulies - Morgaine Joan Allen - Morgause Samantha Mathis - Gwenwyfar Caroline Goodall - Igraine Edward Atterton - Arthur Michael Vartan - Lancelot Michael Byrne - Merlin Hans Matheson - Mordred Mark Lewis Jones - Uther Clive Russell - Gorlois Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 5:23
14550 views
10 Comments:
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 2
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 2
Vivienne, Lady of the Lake to tell a tale less of chivalric honor and more of the stresses between the Druidic and Christian religious factions which seek to control the throne of Britain. Marion Zimmer Bradley began her distinguished book publishing career in 1961 with her first novel, The Door Through Space. The following year she wrote the first book in her hugely popular Darkover series, Sword of Aldones, which soon became a Hugo Award nominee. Bradley's novel The Forbidden Tower was also nominated for a Hugo, and The Heritage of Hastur was nominated for an esteemed Nebula Award. The Mists of Avalon was the single most successful novel of Bradley's career. It won the 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and has been among the top five trade paperback books on Locus's bestseller list for years. Ms. Bradley died in 1999 Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 4:57
14553 views
7 Comments:
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 3
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 3
Marion Zimmer Bradley began her distinguished book publishing career in 1961 with her first novel, The Door Through Space. The following year she wrote the first book in her hugely popular Darkover series, Sword of Aldones, which soon became a Hugo Award nominee. Bradley's novel The Forbidden Tower was also nominated for a Hugo, and The Heritage of Hastur was nominated for an esteemed Nebula Award. The Mists of Avalon was the single most successful novel of Bradley's career. It won the 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and has been among the top five trade paperback books on Locus's bestseller list for years.Ms. Bradley died in 1999. Cast: Samantha Mathis - Gwenwyfar Caroline Goodall - Igraine Edward Atterton - Arthur Michael Vartan - Lancelot Michael Byrne - Merlin Hans Matheson - Mordred Mark Lewis Jones - Uther Clive Russell - Gorlois Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 4:30
11675 views
6 Comments:
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 4 - Gorlois is involved in the plot of Viviane
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 4 - Gorlois is involved in the plot of Viviane
Gorlois is involved in the plot of Viviane. Marion Zimmer Bradley began her distinguished book publishing career in 1961 with her first novel, The Door Through Space. The following year she wrote the first book in her hugely popular Darkover series, Sword of Aldones, which soon became a Hugo Award nominee. Bradley's novel The Forbidden Tower was also nominated for a Hugo, and The Heritage of Hastur was nominated for an esteemed Nebula Award. The Mists of Avalon was the single most successful novel of Bradley's career. It won the 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and has been among the top five trade paperback books on Locus's bestseller list for years.Ms. Bradley died in 1999. Cast: Samantha Mathis - Gwenwyfar Caroline Goodall - Igraine Edward Atterton - Arthur Michael Vartan - Lancelot Michael Byrne - Merlin Hans Matheson - Mordred Mark Lewis Jones - Uther Clive Russell - Gorlois Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 6:10
9677 views
3 Comments:
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 5 - Uther fight with Gorlois
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 5 - Uther fight with Gorlois
The fight among Uther and Gorlois. Marion Zimmer Bradley began her distinguished book publishing career in 1961 with her first novel, The Door Through Space. The following year she wrote the first book in her hugely popular Darkover series, Sword of Aldones, which soon became a Hugo Award nominee. Bradley's novel The Forbidden Tower was also nominated for a Hugo, and The Heritage of Hastur was nominated for an esteemed Nebula Award. The Mists of Avalon was the single most successful novel of Bradley's career. It won the 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and has been among the top five trade paperback books on Locus's bestseller list for years.Ms. Bradley died in 1999Cast: Anjelica Huston - Vivianne Julianna Margulies - Morgaine Joan Allen - Morgause Samantha Mathis - Gwenwyfar Caroline Goodall - Igraine Edward Atterton - Arthur Michael Vartan - Lancelot Michael Byrne - Merlin Hans Matheson - Mordred Mark Lewis Jones - Uther Clive Russell - Gorlois Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Elias Zerael Bauer - Young Mordred David Calder - Uriens John Comer - Captain Talbot Tony Curran - Uther's Captain Karel Dobry - Rhiannon Ian Duncan - Accolon Tamsin Egerton - Young Morgaine Lucy Fillery - Serving Woman Christopher Fulford - Lot Freddie Highmore - Young Arthur Biddy Hodson - Elaine Noah Huntley - Sir Gawain Klára Issová - Raven Edward Jewesbury - Ambrosius Honza Klima - Kay Philip Lenkowsky - Cuthbert Justin Muller - Gareth Hugh Ross - Bishop Patricius Gabriela Zajickova Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 4:36
7886 views
4 Comments:
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 6 - Arthur´s Born
The Mists of Avalon - Scene 6 - Arthur´s Born
Marion Zimmer Bradley began her distinguished book publishing career in 1961 with her first novel, The Door Through Space. The following year she wrote the first book in her hugely popular Darkover series, Sword of Aldones, which soon became a Hugo Award nominee. Bradley's novel The Forbidden Tower was also nominated for a Hugo, and The Heritage of Hastur was nominated for an esteemed Nebula Award. The Mists of Avalon was the single most successful novel of Bradley's career. It won the 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and has been among the top five trade paperback books on Locus's bestseller list for years.Ms. Bradley died in 1999. Cast: Anjelica Huston - Vivianne Julianna Margulies - Morgaine Joan Allen - Morgause Samantha Mathis - Gwenwyfar Caroline Goodall - Igraine Edward Atterton - Arthur Michael Vartan - Lancelot Michael Byrne - Merlin Hans Matheson - Mordred Mark Lewis Jones - Uther Clive Russell - Gorlois Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Elias Zerael Bauer - Young Mordred David Calder - Uriens John Comer - Captain Talbot Tony Curran - Uther's Captain Karel Dobry - Rhiannon Ian Duncan - Accolon Tamsin Egerton - Young Morgaine Lucy Fillery - Serving Woman Christopher Fulford - Lot Freddie Highmore - Young Arthur Biddy Hodson - Elaine Noah Huntley - Sir Gawain Klára Issová - Raven Edward Jewesbury - Ambrosius Honza Klima - Kay Philip Lenkowsky - Cuthbert Justin Muller - Gareth Hugh Ross - Bishop Patricius Gabriela Zajickova Edited by Sc@libur 2008 Claudio Cavalcante Cunha http://www.scaliburweb.com.br Piracicaba-São Paulo-Brazil
Runtime: 6:51
8911 views
4 Comments:
Mists of Avalon Review
The Mists of Avalon
Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 07/05/2009)
The gripping story of King Arthur and the Round table, told from the perspective of the pagan women in and around his court.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Religious visionary or danger to mankind?
Marion Zimmer Bradley's alternative spirituality has caused some reviewers to view her work as highly dangerous and heretical. Do you agree?
Was Marion Zimmer Bradley a heretic or an inspiration?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byShe was a heretic.
She was an inspiration.
MerryM says:
She was never afraid to stand up and speak her truth, that's for sure.
Posted October 11, 2008
Marion Zimmer Bradley at a Glance
Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 ? September 25, 1999) was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook. Her first child, David R. Bradley, and her brother, Paul Edwin Zimmer were also published science fiction & fantasy authors in their own right.
Concerns for the environment
Large plots of land can't be deforested without immediate replanting, because if that's not done, the mountains will lose their fin toplayer of soil and become bare, unfit for human use. In later novels human wars on the planet, helped on by magic in ways reminiscent of the nuclear weapons developed in the 20th century, make whole areas unlivable for generations.
A selection of Darkover classics
A review of my favorite science fiction/ fantasy series
Darkover is a world where paranormal gifts are normal and called 'Laran', her characters face a society where women are supposed to be housebound and men strong and fighting with swords. In that world we find strong women and men living life and facing challenges and transforming themselves.
Psy Powers and Clairvoyance
A feminist
Marion Zimmer Bradley's generation paved the way for our freedom.
They made it clear that relationships between men and women should be based on equality. That cloths worn to please a man, take away something of the power of the woman in and of herself. Woman can be mothers and housewives, but they can also be scientists, artists and business women.
Darkover is a very patriarchal world - in which Bradley focuses on the lives of the women. By making the contrast perhaps bigger than it was at the time (certainly bigger than I've actually experienced it in my time) she lets the dynamic of the social conversation of her time play out.
She doesn't sound like a radical in her books. She clearly recognizes that many women like being mothers. She recognizes that marriages sometimes work, despite obvious troubles. She recognizes the risks people take who step out of socially acceptable roles into a position that gets created as they go. It is clear that not everybody should be expected to take such a plunge.
Paganism, Wicca and the Catholic Church
For a time she called herself a pagan, but in her last years she attended an Episcopal church and left the neo-pagan tradition for others to discover.
Her most famous book 'The Mists of Avalon' was the outcome of an attempt at teaching Christians an appreciation of women and female spirituality.
What's most curious is that people actually take her book 'The mists of Avalon' seriously enough to take it literal in their wicca (modern witchcraft) ritual work! This does not mean they will curse people, but that in many cases they will use the rituals in this series and the types of clothing in the movie as they do their wicca rituals. Some of the people who do that believe the whole book is literally true. Others don't, but don't care about that side of it.
Light series
A review of a magical series
Bradley really shows she knows the occult and alternative scene and creates stories that you just can't put down in that strange but familiar world.
More fantasy and science fiction
-
Best Asimov Science Fiction Books
-
I love science fiction. Especially the works of Frank Herbert (the Dune universe) and Isaac Asimov. I've read he felt he was writing mainly for boys.. but this girl loves them too. Especially the robots & foundation series. On this page I list the wh...
-
Fantasy Gift Ideas
-
Whether it's Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or dragons. I've found posters, collectibles, t-shirts and comforters for you.
-
Good Fantasy Novels: Fantasy Book Reviews
-
The best fantasy books with brief reviews. I love fantasy as a genre. It takes you into a new world where there are so many new possibilities - but also new dangers and new limitations. This lens lets you discuss Harry Potter versus Lord of the Ring...
More about Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-1999)
- While I was still in college, my best friend one day discovered that I had not read anything by Marion Zimmer Bradley...
- Thoughts On Avalon
- Thoughts on Avalon (c) copyright 1986 by Marion Zimmer Bradley One of the main problems I had, in writing the Arthurian novel, was the fear that Christians would feel I was attacking the basics of Christianity...
- Review +quot;Witch Hill+quot; By Marion Zimmer Bradley (reviewed by Paul Suliin) One would
- The Skeptic Tank text archives.
- The religion of Marion Zimmer Bradley, science fiction author
- The religious affiliation (religion) of Marion Zimmer Bradley, award-winning, science fiction writer.
- Marion Zimmer Bradley's writings
- Some reflections spoken during her funeral about MZB's fantasy and fiction.
- Marion Zimmer Bradley as a Church going Christian
- Marion Zimmer Bradley as a churchgoer
- a biography of Marion Zimmer Bradley
- by Rachel E. Holmen. She grew up poor, during the Depression, in upstate New York. Her father worked a farm and held a day job, but he still couldn't earn enough and was too proud to go on welfare, so
Marion remembered being hungry.
So, what do you think of Marion Zimmer Bradley?
What do you think of Marion Zimmer Bradley?
CardLady wrote...
As a Celtic Women, the Arthurian Legend is in my DNA. I loved the series by Mary Stewart AND the Mists of Avalon. I'm glad to know the info about Marion.
Posted April 06, 2009
ashroc wrote...
I have recently read the avalon books and have been fascinated by her insights. I plan to have a look at her darkover series next. Great lens!
Posted February 13, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Members of my family have read Marion Zimmer Bradley, but I haven't. Nicely put together lens for Bradley's fans!
Posted October 11, 2008
MerryM wrote...
I devoured the Darkover series as a teenager - thanks for the walk down memory lane. :)
Posted October 11, 2008
mulberry wrote
Came over to check out your lens from SquidTop. She certainly sounds like an interesting lady, one who has influenced a lot of people!
Posted October 10, 2008
More by me
-
Great spiritual teachers - my favorites and yours
-
These are some of the teachers - past and present - who will keep reminding us that there IS more to life. There is more to US... Spiritual teachers are the salt that gives flavor to our otherwise somewhat dry western culture. With all the focus on...
-
Nerdy lenses - digital info, tips and fun
-
Meet the nerd in me... I've made some lenses in which I share some of the things I've learned while designing websites and earning a living. These are them: some SEO tips, CSS tricks, Myspace tips and more.
-
Katinka Hesselink - my other lenses
-
I'm a lensmaster, webdesigner an oldest child, an eternal student, a former teacher and single. Most of you know me here on Squidoo as lensmaster 'spirituality' - but I've also got a life outside my interests in spirituality (though perhaps that's n...
-
The Ultimate Questions - religion and spirituality
-
These are the ultimate philosophy questions we all ask ourselves about religion and spirituality. Vote, get inspired and share. Part lensography, part hey monkeybrain lens - I hope you all enjoy.
-
Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net: religion and spirituality
-
A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
