tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post2714058798467127410..comments2024-03-27T01:28:28.346-07:00Comments on False Machine: A Review of The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradleypjamesstuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13288777018721199748noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-16655765795000386582019-01-24T01:18:37.729-08:002019-01-24T01:18:37.729-08:00That was a really interesting comment. Thank you.That was a really interesting comment. Thank you.pjamesstuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13288777018721199748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-41864671032191327862019-01-24T00:20:54.032-08:002019-01-24T00:20:54.032-08:00I remember having a pretty intense reaction to thi...I remember having a pretty intense reaction to this book when I read it in my early 20's. I was raised Christian adjacent (we went to many different churches. I was young enough not to remember the different denominations, but there ones where people sang well, ones where they screamed and gibbered, ones where they argued about faith, and ones where they seemed like people already dead. There were also the Jehovah's Witnesses, who were some of the most boring worshipers, worst singers, and strangely pedantic of the bunch. Though they were very kind, up until they disfellowshipped/excommunicated us) and though I can't remember why, I found the conflict between the Christians and the Pagans distressing.<br /><br /> It was something to do with how much I liked some of the people, and how wrong their version of faith felt. Or what holding to their codes did to them. I think perhaps it was what you referred to with the broad bigotry, and the hard line actions of the protagonists. It all felt terribly nasty, and dark, and inevitable. <br /><br />Knowing what I know about the author now, and being again adjacent to similar abuse, I wonder if the theme of perpetuating the cycle of suffering, and using people was an expression of inner demons.<br /><br />I'm usually in favor of letting the work stand alone, at least in how I feel about it, and particularly when the artist is dead. Sometimes though, it is disquieting thinking bout the person on the other side of the page. Lurkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648658376559737272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-5716778988489839082019-01-19T10:32:22.237-08:002019-01-19T10:32:22.237-08:00It is exactly like that yes.It is exactly like that yes.pjamesstuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13288777018721199748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-37460101299505781762019-01-19T09:14:04.377-08:002019-01-19T09:14:04.377-08:00Jesus! (or mb. Morrighan?) I just bought a book ...Jesus! (or mb. Morrighan?) I just bought a book by her at a used bookstore today! I've always wondered about Darkover...I knew nothing about Marion Zimmer Bradley's abuse. This is seriously fucked up and horrible. Strange coincidence that I read this before I started it. This kind of thing makes me feel like the world isn't quite what it seems to be...unsettling. Like a True Detective episode on your bookshelf or something.Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057182508701974364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-2592541189842560572019-01-17T06:24:02.268-08:002019-01-17T06:24:02.268-08:00And no sexual scandal for Boorman...unless you cou...And no sexual scandal for Boorman...unless you count Zardoz.Al Sotackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08953883113144292985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-34074276693198064132019-01-17T06:23:25.035-08:002019-01-17T06:23:25.035-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Al Sotackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08953883113144292985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-22156873831721206212019-01-17T05:31:33.962-08:002019-01-17T05:31:33.962-08:00I loved Mists when it first came out and again whe...I loved Mists when it first came out and again when I reread it in my late 20s early 30s. Today...today I would have a hard time coming to terms with what a horrible person MZB turned out to be.<br />I would love to have read more of her stuff, but I have to draw the line somewhere. (Note the "line" is only for me, I am not on some anti-MBZ crusade.)<br /><br />I have been thinking for about 15 years now I need something to fit the "Mists of Avalon" shaped hole in my life.Timothy S. Brannanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923526503305233715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-71706045662510471932019-01-17T01:13:40.348-08:002019-01-17T01:13:40.348-08:00the 1981 Excalibur film is extremely good, dreamli...the 1981 Excalibur film is extremely good, dreamlikespigothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731224119469018601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-68224374011128785762019-01-16T15:34:11.053-08:002019-01-16T15:34:11.053-08:00Thank you. I know what my next read will be. I'...Thank you. I know what my next read will be. I'm not free or moral dilemmas concerning evil people doing good books, but let me deal with it my own way , i.e. buying their stuff once they're dead, or stealing stuff from stores).Jorge Jaramillo Villarruelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09173856214194315781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522018539311056682.post-5034309975632234692019-01-15T21:43:31.593-08:002019-01-15T21:43:31.593-08:00It's been years...decades really...since I las...It's been years...decades really...since I last read Mists, but it still sits on my shelf. One of these days, I'll take the time to re-read it...I look forward to seeing it through the perspective that comes with age.<br /><br />My remembrance may not be good, but I recall a different take on the pagan-Christian conflict, one that found Morgaine somewhat reconciled to Christianity toward the end (all the characters seem to "mellow" with age and soften their "hardliner" perspectives). Men, and the problems that come with men, especially given a feudal society that supports a certain level of patriarchy, is the real issue for the women of the book...not their respective religions. <br /><br />Bradley has several books that deal with the themes of Atlantis, reincarnation, and karma. Web of Light, Web of Darkness is pretty decent.<br /><br />I haven't been able to bring myself to read any of her books since I first read of the sexual abuse allegations (circa 2015). It saddened me immensely, not only because MZB is one of my favorite authors, but because of all the help and support she gave to other writers over the years. None of us are perfect but...well, I'm glad she accomplished some good with her life.<br /><br />One of these days I'll take the time to re-read Mists. I look forward to that...but I don't know when I'll be able to.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.com