Avalon

I read "Avalon" when I was in my late teens or early 20's, now at 53, re-reading it, and happy to have found it in the bookstore again, I am not disappointed. It is an excellent historical novel. The title, "Avalon" refers to Rumon's quest, and there are other quests as well that tie in nicely with the title. The writing flows, the language is written to sound realistic for the time period yet not hard to follow, it's as easy to read as anything set in the present day. I was very disappointed in the publisher that allowed the terrible Foreward by Philippa Gregory. A book that has stood the test of time and been brought back into publication deserves a Foreward that is nothing but complimentary. Ms. Gregory wrote of "Avalon" what she feels is wrong with the book, to quote: "But as a novel, it is too episodic, and unstructured." She also wrote: "...it is hard to feel empathy that a good novel usually delivers." What does "too episodic" mean? And the second quote I offer plainly shows that Ms. Gregory doesn't really believe "Avalon" is a good novel. Reading "Avalon," I felt empathy for every character, even the nasty Alfrida. Perhaps Ms. Gregory is comparing "Avalon" to the books she has written, that I'm sure she considers "good novels." I work in a bookstore and to Ms. Gregory's credit, she has brought a lot of joy to people who buy and love her books, and I am tempted regularly to keep giving Ms. Gregory's books one more try, but I can't ever get beyond the first page in any of Ms. Gregory's books. So in reviewing Anya Seton's "Avalon," (and it is a low blow to criticize so negatively a book by a woman who has passed away), Ms. Gregory was unable to suppress her conceit in her own work along with her overwhelming ego because of her success with her books, (books that, at least to me, fall into the pulp Romance Novel category, although Ms. Gregory managed to get her books categorized as to be shelved in the Fiction bays). If I could, I would like to remind Ms. Gregory that these days, the publishing/bookstore business is very different than it was when "Avalon" first came out. If, in 47 years ANY of Philippa Gregory's books are republished, I will be surprised. But by then I'll be 100, and probably won't care, every minute will count at that age and I won't waste it trying once again to read any of Ms. Gregory's books. The Foreward to "Avalon" is a good reason NOT to read Forewards. The book "Avalon" is excellent. Characters that are very identifiable emotionally, good history, good dialogue, subtle and well-written. The scenes set in the Norselands are so realistic you can almost feel the climate. Please read it and enjoy. Then read the actual history of the times; you will then be even more impressed with Anya Seton's work. If you do read the Foreward, take the good, then take a black marker and block out the negative. Then read "Avalon" and enjoy it. It's wonderful.

Very enjoyable. It was nice taking a travel through history in a period of time not so frequently written about. The up and down see saw of Merewyn's and Ruman's star crossed love was heartbreaking at times. I don't want to say more to give out the end. It isn't Katherine by a long shot, but still a good read, and I would recommend to any lover of historical fiction.

Recently, the works of novelist Anya Seton have been coming back into print, with introductions written by fellow writer, Philippa Gregory. With most of Seton's work being produced between the 1950's and 1980's, it's been interesting to reread these stories, mostly of thwarted love and romance, with a generous dash of the mysterious stirred in for good measure. Set in England just before the year 1000, it takes the story of two young people who meet by happenstance, and form a bond that is by turns resentful, friendly and at times, romantic. Rumon, a young princeling from Avignon, descended from the early Saxon kings of England, has been sent to that land by his exasperated grandmother, Queen Edgive. Rumon, unlike the other young men, has not one bit of interest in the arts of war, preferring instead to follow gentler arts, such as reading and music. When he is shipwrecked off the coast of Cornwall, he finds himself in a strange place that seems to hover on the edges of the earth itself. And it is here that he meets Merewyn, a young girl that is everything that he is not -- illiterate, destitute and burdened with a mother that is both crippled, and likely to be mad to boot. But there is one thing that she has in common with the fastidious, aloof Rumon -- a touch of royal blood, claiming descent from King Arthur himself, and proud of her heritage. But from her dying mother, who wrings a vow from him to never speak of it, Rumon learns something else entirely, a secret that both haunts and poisons him, but his own sense of honor has him taking Merewyn with him to the protection of her Aunt, Abbess Merwinna of Romsey. We follow them along to the court of King Edgar, and his beautiful vain wife, Alfrida, meeting courtiers and bishops along the way. One of them, Dunstan, will play pivotal roles in the futures of the young couple, and gives a glimpse of the mystical and religious life of England just before the turn of the first millennium. Religion was at the time, a serious matter, and people believed strongly in the power of visions, superstitions and at times, rather convoluted ways of doing things. Rumon, especially, is rather naïve, even more so than Merewyn, with his insistance on his quest to find Avalon, the mystical resting place of King Arthur, and his strict adherence to doctrine, even when it costs him both self-respect and love. Both of them embark on adventures across the sea, Merewyn to the Norse lands of Iceland and Greenland, and Rumon even beyond that. Throughout their troubles and questioning natures, one thing remains solid -- their bond, and the thirst for happiness. One thing that I really enjoy about Anya Seton's work is her ability to create a world that is both believable and entertaining. I tend to be a stickler for historical accuracy in novels, and Seton goes far beyond what is required. She stays true to what is known, but also isn?t afraid to explore some of the more controversial aspects of history. Of her characte

This is a wonderful, romantic tale, almost a saga. Though the main character is fictional, the story itself is set in an interesting historical period and the details are accurate.Merewyn leaves Cornwall at fifteen, after the death of her mother. She travels into England in the company of Rumon, who is the historical figure Romieux de Provence, shipwrecked on the Cornish coast. Merewyn works for some time at England's royal court and then stays at a nunnery, following the assassination of one unfortunate English king. Fate intervenes dramatically with her life when she has to return to Cornwall after the death of the Abbess of her convent.Anya Seton has woven a charming story around the figure of Rumon, a Cornish saint. Merewyn believes herself descended from the ancient, royal line of King Arthur. This is a sustaining myth in her life. Merewyn's actual parentage is far less romantic and has to do with Viking raids on the Cornish coast. The story of the star-crossed love of Merewyn and Rumon is just one strand of this story. England in the tenth century was subject to periodic invasion from the Norsemen - this is a major part of the plot, which is romantic yet plausible. Merewyn does a great deal of travelling both planned and unexpected, to find her real identity. I first read this novel many years ago, and have since read it many times. I warmly recommend it to new readers.

This book was amazing it enchanted me right from the start. There was never a time when i was bored, the story of a poor little cornish girl who doesn't know her own background is very moving in places and even funny sometimes, as Merewyn and Rumon search for thier love. Its a spectacular book and i don't understand why it is out of print. i'm just glad i got to it before it went out of print.