⋙ PDF Free The Road to Avalon Rediscovered Classics Joan Wolf Mary Jo Putney 9781556526589 Books

The Road to Avalon Rediscovered Classics Joan Wolf Mary Jo Putney 9781556526589 Books

Download As PDF : The Road to Avalon Rediscovered Classics Joan Wolf Mary Jo Putney 9781556526589 Books

The Road to Avalon Rediscovered Classics Joan Wolf Mary Jo Putney 9781556526589 Books

I was first introduced to this book way back in 10th grade English. We all loved it, of course, because it's incredibly romantic without being a bodice-ripper, and the highly realistic Arthur retelling was appealing after all the magical versions we'd seen in childhood.

I recently ran across it on Amazon and practically shrieked with joy that it was back in print and I could order it--because I lost my old copy a while back, and have been wishing I could read it again. I ordered it immediately and when it arrived I sat down and read it straight through.

Does it hold up, now that I'm reading it with an adult's taste (and a degree in literature)? In most ways, yes. In some ways, no. But did I still love it? Yes.

Now that I'm much older and have a better eye, I can see that the writing, while crisp, is a little lazy and shoddy in places (example: to describe a character reaction, she constantly just writes "His/her eyes were _____", inserting a whole variety of adjectives, many of which make little sense when you think about it). However, unskilled wordsmithing aside, Wolf's ability to create deeply interesting, multi-faceted characters and make them fit into a realistic, historical version of a well-known fantastical setting (Camelot) remains incredibly impressive. I immediately remembered why I was so obsessed with this book when I was fifteen. Her Arthur is so real, so fascinating, and yet she still manages to walk the line of fantasy subtly enough that you can understand how her real-world Arthur could have become a magical legend. You understand how the Morgan/Mordred entanglements (here, made into an entirely mundane and yet incredibly moving family drama) could have been lost in translation, exaggerated, and transformed into the enduring story. You can perfectly picture and feel the bond between Arthur and Morgan; you totally buy into their relationship, the relationship between Bedwyr and Arthur and Bedwyr and Gwenhwyfar, and the eventual darker motivations of Agravaine. She manages to make it all relatable. They're just normal people dealing with normal human relationships, and yet at the same time, they're all so slightly larger-than-life, so wonderful and memorable, that the leap to them being legendary is easy to make. This tricky balance between realism and legend is incredibly difficult, and Wolf's real triumph with this book.

One relationship I remember sort of glossing over as a teenager was that between Arthur and Gwenhwyfar; as an adult, this was the most fascinating thing in the book, by far. Gwenhwyfar is a pretty progressive, feminist character, which I didn't understand 15 years ago. More importantly, Arthur is also written basically as a feminist, understanding the feelings and needs of his wife, realizing he can't give her the emotional bond she craves, and bearing no grudges when she finds that love elsewhere; indeed, he brings her into his small circle of close friends and advisors, and treats her as an equal, worthy of his respect and trust. Their partnership is a highly satisfying side note to the story, even if they're not the main love story.

This book remains a wonderful story with deeply memorable characters. I've always wished a movie would be made from this version of the Arthur story. I'm glad I have a new copy to keep on my shelf and re-read as I want to; I think it'll always be a favorite of mine.


Tags : The Road to Avalon (Rediscovered Classics) [Joan Wolf, Mary Jo Putney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <DIV><DIV><DIV>The pageantry and passionate intrigues of King Arthur’s court are expertly re-created in this historical novel—the only Arthurian novel in which all of the central characters are portrayed as intrinsically good people. This realistic retelling of the legend shows Arthur severing the bonds of bastardy,Joan Wolf, Mary Jo Putney,The Road to Avalon (Rediscovered Classics),Chicago Review Press,155652658X,Arthur,Arthurian romances,Avalon (Legendary place),Britons,Fantasy fiction,Great Britain - History - To 1066,Historical fiction,Kings and rulers,Love stories,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction Historical,Fiction Romance Historical General,Fiction-Romance,FictionRomance - Historical - General,GENERAL,General Adult,Historical - General,Romance - Historical - General,RomanceHistorical,Romance: Historical,United States

The Road to Avalon Rediscovered Classics Joan Wolf Mary Jo Putney 9781556526589 Books Reviews

The hallmark of a great romance for me is one which makes me fall in love with the lovers. In Road to Avalon, I not only love Arthur and Morgan, I also fell in love with Gwenhyfar and Bedwyr. I like the twist of the traditional love triangle becoming a quadrangle.

Towards the end of the book, I found myself reading more and more slowly because I knew what was coming and did not want it to end.
This was a very emotional and beautiful retelling of Arthurian Legend. This was completely different than other King Arthur stories I have read, as all characters were intrinsically good people that were victims of circumstance. My only criticism was that there was no Lancelot, but this book was so good that I got over it.
This was a great read -- I could not put it down. It was wonderful to start with the young Arthur and the experiences that made him the man - king -- that he was. The love story between Arthur and Morgan is truly heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes. The scene where Arthur comes face to face with the son he didn't know he had is gut wrenching.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the other two that follow in this trilogy, Born of the Sun and The Edge of Light. I wish the author would return to this style and quality of writing as opposed to the light fluffy regencies she is currently writing.
Many times throughout this book, I had some trouble matching Joan Wolf's version with every other vision of the Arthurian legend. But in the end, I was most satisfied with this one. It was more real and compassionate than all the others. Extremely well thought out and beautifully written. Don't pass this up...stick with it and I think you'll agree.
If you enjoy a different spin on the Arthurian legend, then definitely give this book a try. I really enjoyed the historical aspect that was woven into the story. The twist on the love story was interesting. Also check out the sequels to this book, Born of the Sun and The Edge of Light
Although there can never be a "true" version of Arthur's story, this is the "truest" version I have ever read. It makes sense to the time and story. Some names are different, Lancelot becomes Bedwyr, but was there ever really a Lancelot? If you love the Arthurian legends, you will love this book.
If you want an original historical Arthurian novel full of romance and good plot lines, I would recommend this one. Joan Wolf has done her historical research --- her Arthur is the Riothamus "King of the Britons" recorded in reliable continental sources. And there is no magic or fantasy here (apart from the special connection between Arthur and Morgan, which I didn't think was necessary for the plot.)

But many aspects don't add up historically, which is why I only give it 4 stars. For example, the opulence of Camelot, and Arthur minting coins are highly unlikely. The authentic British kings Wolf names, such as Maelgwn and Urien, are from a century or so after this novel is set. The topography is sometimes made up to suit the story. Most puzzlingly, Wolf seems to imply that Riothamus' actual, well recorded, battle against the Visigoths in Gaul was a story invented by Agravaine!
I was first introduced to this book way back in 10th grade English. We all loved it, of course, because it's incredibly romantic without being a bodice-ripper, and the highly realistic Arthur retelling was appealing after all the magical versions we'd seen in childhood.

I recently ran across it on and practically shrieked with joy that it was back in print and I could order it--because I lost my old copy a while back, and have been wishing I could read it again. I ordered it immediately and when it arrived I sat down and read it straight through.

Does it hold up, now that I'm reading it with an adult's taste (and a degree in literature)? In most ways, yes. In some ways, no. But did I still love it? Yes.

Now that I'm much older and have a better eye, I can see that the writing, while crisp, is a little lazy and shoddy in places (example to describe a character reaction, she constantly just writes "His/her eyes were _____", inserting a whole variety of adjectives, many of which make little sense when you think about it). However, unskilled wordsmithing aside, Wolf's ability to create deeply interesting, multi-faceted characters and make them fit into a realistic, historical version of a well-known fantastical setting (Camelot) remains incredibly impressive. I immediately remembered why I was so obsessed with this book when I was fifteen. Her Arthur is so real, so fascinating, and yet she still manages to walk the line of fantasy subtly enough that you can understand how her real-world Arthur could have become a magical legend. You understand how the Morgan/Mordred entanglements (here, made into an entirely mundane and yet incredibly moving family drama) could have been lost in translation, exaggerated, and transformed into the enduring story. You can perfectly picture and feel the bond between Arthur and Morgan; you totally buy into their relationship, the relationship between Bedwyr and Arthur and Bedwyr and Gwenhwyfar, and the eventual darker motivations of Agravaine. She manages to make it all relatable. They're just normal people dealing with normal human relationships, and yet at the same time, they're all so slightly larger-than-life, so wonderful and memorable, that the leap to them being legendary is easy to make. This tricky balance between realism and legend is incredibly difficult, and Wolf's real triumph with this book.

One relationship I remember sort of glossing over as a teenager was that between Arthur and Gwenhwyfar; as an adult, this was the most fascinating thing in the book, by far. Gwenhwyfar is a pretty progressive, feminist character, which I didn't understand 15 years ago. More importantly, Arthur is also written basically as a feminist, understanding the feelings and needs of his wife, realizing he can't give her the emotional bond she craves, and bearing no grudges when she finds that love elsewhere; indeed, he brings her into his small circle of close friends and advisors, and treats her as an equal, worthy of his respect and trust. Their partnership is a highly satisfying side note to the story, even if they're not the main love story.

This book remains a wonderful story with deeply memorable characters. I've always wished a movie would be made from this version of the Arthur story. I'm glad I have a new copy to keep on my shelf and re-read as I want to; I think it'll always be a favorite of mine.