Customer Reviews

The Road to Avalon (Rediscovered Classics)

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Stop the presses! I've finally found an Arthurian novel in which Morgan, Gwenhwyfar, and Morgause are all sympathetic! Not to mention one with no religious bickering! (At one point in the book, a pagan knight criticizes a grouchy monk. Arthur responds, "If we judged all religions by their human representatives, they would all be found lacking." That's the extent of religious debate in this book, and if someone had said it in _Mists of Avalon_, maybe everyone would have wised up a little.)

Arthur, hidden away in an obscure village, falls into the hands of an abusive farmer. One day, his life changes when Merlin, a Roman-type noble of the old school, comes to carry him off to the villa of Avalon, to be raised and taught by Merlin and Ector--and to be trained as the prince he never knew he was. Though his life is more comfortable now, he is still scarred and withdrawn. Only Merlin's daughter Morgan, sweet and shy but with remarkable intelligence and emotional courage, can break through his shell and become his friend. And when they grow up, he falls in love with her, never knowing she is his aunt. Arthur ascends the throne, planning to make Morgan his queen, but Merlin forbids the match and tells him why. Arthur is heartbroken. He wants to defy Merlin, or failing that, to kill himself, but Morgan convinces him to be strong for his kingdom.

So Arthur marries the Welsh princess Gwenhwyfar instead. Gwenhwyfar is the most celebrated beauty in her homeland, accustomed to men's adoration, and so it is especially hurtful that Arthur--still in love with Morgan--sees Gwen mostly as a friend. The final insult comes when she takes up with the captain of his cavalry--and Arthur doesn't even care. Gwen loves her husband, and hopes that someday he will come to love her. So you can imagine the turmoil that goes through her mind when a mysterious young man appears at court in the company of Morgause of Orkney--a young man who looks just like Arthur, but gazes at Gwen with the passion her husband denies her. The young man is, of course, Mordred, son of Arthur and Morgan, and is accepted as Arthur's heir. He's a nice guy in this book, so everything seems just peachy for a while, but when Arthur goes to fight a battle in Gaul, a villain whom I won't name, acting out of thwarted passion, unleashes treachery, and the Battle of Camlann is fated.

Though _The Road to Avalon_ ends sadly, there is something comfortable and comforting about this retelling of the legend. Why? I think it's because it never makes you take sides. It doesn't feel the need to make one of the women sympathetic and the others evil. It doesn't preach any creed or bash any philosophy. It's just a love story about real people, with good and bad qualities, all of whom we can understand. This may not be my favorite Arthurian novel in terms of prose style, but I recommend it. It is beautiful in a simple way, like Morgan in her garden.

An incredible version of King Arthur sans Lancelot. This is the story of Arthur, and his more than humble beginnings, until Merlin tells him years after he "adopted" him that he is the heir to the British throne after Uther. He is Uther and Igraine's legitimate son. While Merlin is preparing him to be a leader whilst living in Avalon with his daughter Morgan, the two children develop a lasting friendship that turns into love. He doesn't know for years that Uther is his father, Igraine his mother, Merlin his grandfather and Morgan his aunt until he is to be king. By then it is too late to stop the love between Morgan and Arthur.

He becomes king but he still wants to marry Morgan. Merlin & Morgan warn him that the threat of incest will impede his reign and tell him it's impossible to marry her. He does eventually marry Gwenhwyfar in a loveless marriage to produce an heir while continuing his relationship with Morgan. Meanwhile, Gwenhwyfar finds comfort with Bedwyr with Arthur's knowledge and unspoken permission. Morgan has been keeping a secret from Arthur for 15 years that also comes out.

Read this book! It's a refreshing storyline that I haven't encountered before. Bedwyr is Gwenhwyfar's lover and there is no Lancelot to fuddle things up as usual. Mordred is portrayed as a very unwordly teen and unsure of himself and others. Agravaine is as obnoxious and cunning as he usually is in other novels. Gwenhwyfar is in love with two men. Finally, the relationship between Arthur and Morgan is not a simple one but a lasting one.

I just happened to glance at this book at a used book store and it looked as if it could be pretty good. I love the Arthurian legend and read anything I can about it. Not since Mists of Avalon have I been so blown away by an Arthurian novel. Joan Wolf takes the traditional story and changes it ever so slightly here and there to make this almost all-too-familiar story fresh and new. I developed a new feeling for this tragic story that has become so familiar to me. It's been a while since a book has left me feeling so completely drained of emotion afterwards. I thank the gods that I was at home when I finished it and not at work or on the bus. I broke down in almost gut-wrenching sobs. I didn't realize this book was out of print until I came to write this review. I'm extremely happy that I found it and hope many other people have the same fortune I did. Mists of Avalon will remain my favorite, but this one is a very close second.

The Road to Avalon shows us a non fantasy version of the life of Arthur, showing us a more realistic portrayal of this mythical king. It is easy to see the author's knowledge of the legend, with the inclusions of people such as the monk Gildas and Culwch and Olwen. It gives us a completely different portrayal of Morgan and Mordred, and shows Arthur's unending love towards his friends. A great read! I fully recommend it. :-)

If you have read any number of books, you would realize that no two are alike. The novel ROAD TO AVALON by Joan Wolf is an incrediable story that made me laugh out loud, care for the characters more than I thought I would, or could, and actually cry! I had tears streaming down my face as I closed the cover of this heart-felt tale. I have never had the pleasure of crying over a book, and I wish I could convince as many people as possible of its quality so they may experience these feelings as well. The one true way to rate any piece of literature, is whether or not it can move you and your emotions with the author's imagination and the way they express it to the readers. In other words, "was it believable, and more importantly, enjoyable?" it most certainly was and I can't wait to read it again!

I have been reading Arthurian books for years, and when i found this book "years ago" i loved it above all others. Today, i finished it for the 3rd time, and after reading it i feel as close to the charaters as if i was there in real life. all i need to do is think about the last line in the book and i cry. Thank you Joan for making this wonderful book come to life in all the glory and pain of the dark ages. and for all those out there who fell in love with Arthur and Morgan, remember to smell the Lavander.......

This is the first book I've read about King Arthur. So, I didn't have any strong feelings about how or what should happen. I'm not a student of European History so I have no idea about the history at all.

This is the second novel I've read by Joan Wolf. The first was 'No Dark Place' which I did not enjoy at all. 'The Road to Avalon' however I enjoyed very much.

I enjoyed the story, the characters and their relationships. The story is somewhat simple but very emotional with complicated relationships of forbidden and unrequited love, betrayal, deception, jealousy and deep admiration.

I enjoyed the description of the landscape, the architecture and the horsemanship, which reminded me of seeing the Lipizzaner Stallions perform. I really liked the complexities that Wolf ascribes to these characters.

I enjoyed the love story between Arthur and Morgan and while there was a thread of fantasy woven through their relationship that I would have liked better without I still enjoyed their story very much.

I thought the contemporary dialogue gave the story a less authentic feel but it also makes this novel much more assessable for a greater audience. The history wasn't so dense that it overwhelmed the reader but I would have liked a map.

I found this to be the perfect introduction to King Arthur and I think fans of historical romance would eat this up.

I am a lover of Arthurian legend; a fierce lover. I find it dissapointing that most books on this subject are never about Arthur. It's always Lancelot, Guenevere, or any other character authors create. Then came Joan Wolf, daring to write a book of Arthur about Arthur. And not just the stupid, unimaginate character depicted by many writers, but a man among men, not only with a dream, but with the brilliance to carry it through. An Arthur who is more than Guenevere's lap dog. Hurray for Ms. Wolf!

You find all the elements that make a book outstanding here: chivalry, adventure, battles, blood, love, friendship . . . and that beautiful love story between Arthur and Morgan.

This book is a must for every Arthurian lover. I highly recommend it!

This ranks right up there with The Hobbit. In fact it is the only book I can honestly say I enjoyed as much as I enjoyed the Hobbit. Joan Wolf captures the spirit of Authur completely with this book.

The story is a very clever twist on the traditional King Arthur legend, telling the story as it might have happened in real life. It describes how these people could have become the enchanting legend we all know today. It uses splendid storytelling and characterization; the men are sharp and believable, the women are beautiful and sincere, and the action is captivating. This book alone turned me into a great Joan Wolf fan, who is a consummate story teller.