Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hardly worth it~, March 13, 2004
I purchased this book because it was labeled as an "Arthurian Romance-" and not just any romance, but a lesbian romance. I am enthralled with the time of Arthur, and am a Lesbian- I assumed I would love this book.
I did NOT.
Avalon was hailed as an Arthurian Romance, this is true- but there are roughly two paragraphs in the entire book that are romantic in nature. The rest of it details sadistic acts of tortue, beheading and all around grotesque acts of cruelty that the author cannot wait to spell out in reckless glee.
As a Romance, I assumed it would be a quiet, tranquil book full of the strong women of Avalon. This was not true, either... Certainly, the women are strong- and the book is well written (I carefully read over it with my editor's eye, once I realized the story, itself, was worthless.), but the useless sadism is, in no way, aiding the book- or the story. The tale, itself, is contrived and rather lacking- she does not tie up her MANY loose ends, in the 'finale', and basically leaves you quite hanging... I realize that this is sometimes used as 'artistic' in other books- but it seems that she left out three or four chapters at the end... not the feeling that an author wants to leave with her readers.
I do not recommend this book- and I sincerely wish I could. Had she left out the blood and gore on every *single* page, perhaps the story might have been able to be saved... it seemed that, in adding these unecessary elements, she was aiming at a male audience...? The book was published by Naiad Press- the lesbian/feminist publishing company- hardly a male serving public... and women, last time I looked, don't enjoy having entire clans- in detail- raped, tortured, and pulled apart in a Romance Novel.
If you simply must read this book- at least rent it. Do not read it because you are looking for romance- endeering moments- or even very much historical interpretation. This book is blood thirsty, disturbing, and never in the least tender.
So much for the epic beauty of Avalon.
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5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you love books about the Arthurian times, here's one, March 26, 1999
to enjoy. The story is about young Argante, daughter of Arthur... or Lancelot, it is something that is hard to figure since her mother slept with both men. It is a funny novel set during the times of the beginnings of Christianity and the wars between the English and The British. Read it, you'll enjoy it!
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1 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dull and Unimpressive, June 18, 1999
By A Customer
This book was boring
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