The Forest House (The Mists of Avalon: Prequel)

One of my very favorite books is THE MISTS OF AVALON, so naturally, I thought that this novel would be just as good. Nope. Oh, the writing is still flawless; MZB is an excellent author. The problem is the story. I found it to be lacking in depth and life. The characters were dull and unreal. They never came to life for me. Oh well. No one is perfect. I will still recommend the book to anyone who has read MISTS, because the books are sisters, but just don't expect the same magic.

In the Forest House, I found somewhat of a paradox. I am extraordinarily loyal to MZB, and practically went to the ends of human boundaries with MoA; it was truly an experience from a different astral plane.
While the Forest House was mystical and transcendent, I was rather frustrated by the prissiness of Vernemeton. However, I enjoyed it immensely, and found that MZB knit Roman and Celtic narratives seamlessly. I especially enjoyed the festivals such as Samhain and Beltane.
In MZB sensory details I identified Vernemeton as the mystical hiking trail in Calfornia which transports one to another time. With this novel, it helps to have pictures in your mind of what MZB is talking about.
Though Eilan's death didn't touch me as much as Viviane's did, it was still haunting. I would recommend Forest House both as a stepping-stone and a book unto itself.

This book is in the same vein as the other Avalon books, with some compelling characters and an interesting opera adaption for the plot. On the whole, however, I was disappointed with the quality of the book. While some sections were fine, there were some that are simply the result of bad editing and poor writing. The initial passages of the book in particular seem overly contrived. Thankfully, the book improves the further the story progresses. If you like Marion Zimmer Bradley, you will likely enjoy this, but if you're new to her, start off with a better example of her work.

What a relief to read this in comparision to Mists of Avalon! the main racter, Elaine, was basically stupid. But her follys and loves carried me through this book like a young girl again. Callian, the wise one, was the sole rock in a world of leaves. But she took a background role in this world of betrayal, deciet, and true (as well as false) love. A truly original book from an original time in Britian's History.

I read the book and I also listened ot it on tape(I know go figure). The story is a classic forumla boy meets girl, girl loses girl and so on. It is excellent and a nessacary step for all "Avalon" lovers-5 stars for the book
Now to the bad part
The audio edition: Only problem is the narator. She just goes on and on in a monotone no vocie inflection(I don't even think she stopped to breath!).
Overall-Read the book, don't get it on tape

I was apprehensive in reading this book. But by the first 5 pages you are entranced and sunk into the world of the book. I read it in 3 days!! I couldn't put it down. Though no book could compare to Mists of Avalon, this comes a close second. As usual Ms. Bradley writes her characters so real you feel as if they're in the same room as you or witnessing a scene in front of your eyes. Amazing effort!

Ancient mysticism, love, and honor, return in the prequel to the best-selling novel The Mists of Avalon. Marion Zimmer-Bradley's The Forest House, attempts to re-captivate the same audience and lands a two star rating, at best. The story is centered on the maiden Eilan born of druid heritage, and coming of her own as a druid priestess. Alas, she meets and falls in love with a young roman chap and the all too familiar forbidden love story is set. As their countries are torn apart by opposing pride and ignorance, which neither can escape, the reader becomes locked in limbo right along with them.

Ms. Bradley carries on the tradition of breathtaking allegory in her wondrous descriptive nature throughout this book. She builds her story on the foundation of love and faith in an attempt to bring her characters to life with all the intricacies life has to offer. Many kinds of relationships are presented herein; the focus being that of the doomed romance between Elian and Gaius the young roman soldier. As conflict swirls around them as Rome invades Eilan's home country of England their budding romance is nipped almost before it begins. Eilan is torn between her duties as high priestess of the druids and the love she feels for Gauis. Gaius is sworn to Rome and not only longs to invade Eilan's heart but also must conquer her homeland as well leaving him unable to marry her for obvious reasons.

A romance cut short from the beginning to the end makes for a long, slow read. Even if one is into this book for some hint of resolution between opposing sides at war, one will be severely disappointed as no one in this book agrees on any level, if only for a moment. Family relationships are strained and redundant. Any joy love may have to offer is sucked out of the lives of the characters in this tale of woe, leaving the reader to wonder why either party bothers with the other to begin with. Faith, as the central theme becomes lost when love is removed from the equation. All that is left is sheer hopelessness for all involved, especially the reader. Forget the vicissitudes life has to offer, this account starts out down and stays down for a grueling 417 pages.

If Ms. Bradley had hoped to make her audience feel love, life, and honor are in the end, a completely futile effort, I commend her endeavor in penning this one-dimensional tragedy. For those of us who appreciate and recognize the ups life has to offer have only to look into the eyes of the terrible/wonderful Goddess and God in which she bases her novels on to begin with in realization of the fact that life's not all that bad. Unless, of course, one is made to endure this novel.

Usually when you read about history, you hear about the men of the time. But in Marion Zimmer Bradley's books you learn about women who affected history. Most of the characters are fictional, but it still cool to read about people worshiping a goddess, rather then a god. Her books show the power that women hold in this world. I like all of her books about Avalon and such, but I liked the Forest House because it was nice change of scenery. So I recommend this book to anyone who believes in girl power, love, and likes to read fantasies.

I read the series backwards, and all three books were equally wonderfull. The Mists of Avalon I actually think is the best one, but the Forest House is the first in the series and is positively beautifull. I wish I would have started out in the right direction. This book practicly glues you to the story in the first chapter and keeps you there till the end. You endur the trials and feel the strength of the characters as if you were really there. Bradley works her magic bringing you into a realistic story that spins you into a world full of magic, action and romance. This is a can't miss book.

This book really stayed with me. I received it as a gift, and since I do not normally enjoy British/Druidic lore, I really started reading it out of politeness. But almost as soon as I began it I was hooked. Extremely well written, encompassing fascinating themes, and with a haunting reality to the characters and to pagan lore and rituals, it was riveting throughout. I also found the Roman history and politics involved interesting, and the changing/dying role of the 'old' religion with the onset of Christianity.
I have now read it twice, and will definitely be reading Mists of Avalon, since I feel as though I would like to "stay in touch" with the characters and their descendants. I am very interested to see how this book will tie into Bradley's retelling of the Arthurian legend for which I understand it is the precursor. I reccomend it highly!

even though i still can't bring myself to read the end of The Mists of Avalon, like with Little House series, i don't want to read the end till 18 and childhood is all over, it's still obvious Marion Zimmer Bradley was an astonishing storyteller. The Forrest House tells of how Avalon came to be the home of the priestesses. For an hour after reading it i just sat there staring at the cover lost in the world Bradley so beautifully lets readers into. If you like sci-fi, legend, historical fiction,romance, drama, or fantasy read this. Eilan wasn't perfect, but she did what she could even with mistakes. The druids were like the sacredness of religoun turned to the illusion of a cult. a must read no matter how old or who you are

I liked this book very much, although it could never reach the hights of "Mists of Avalon". The book is highly readable, and grips the reader tightly in a "Marion Zimmer Bradley" kind of way. Also, if you are interested in Druidic legends and story, you'll love this book. If you haven't read anything from this author, I'd recommend "Mists of Avalon", since that is the one of the best books I've read, and I've read a lot. The Forest House is a Very good book, although not an excelent book.

This book was the first Marion book I read. I fell in love with the book after the first chapter. I recommend this book to any girl 13 years or older. A great love story that ends soooo good. After this read, I read The Mist of Avolon , and man I have to tell everyone that Marion is a great story teller of women!

Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon novels continue to compel and inspire even after her death, and _The Forest House_ is certainly no exception. After becomong obsessed with _The Mists of Avalon_, I had no idea there were other books in the semi-series until I found a copy of _The Forest House_ in a used book store, and read it in only a day or so. If you liked _Mists_, this novel won't disappoint.

I also recommend you start with _The Fall of Atlantis_, and then continue reading the books in chronological order, which places Diana Paxson's _Ancestors of Avalon_ next, followed by _Lady of Avalon_, _The Forest House_ and finally _The Mists of Avalon_.

Set in the Roman era, this book tells the story of the lives of the Priestesses who lived in The Forest House, a religious compound. This book provides excellent insight into the spirituality of the Celtic people and the holidays of the Druids. This was the first of the books in the Avalon series that I read, and it really touched me. Reading this book caused me to spend many hours wondering what was fact and what was fiction since the amount of historical detail is so immense.

Sometimes, we simply need to get away from the reality of our own lives and get lost in the world of make-believe. This is what The Forest House did for me. I didn't take away any great life-lessons. Reading this book felt like it was all about entertainment.

I am usually wary of prequels of successful works; however, my wariness was completely unwarranted. This novel complements The Mists of Avalon by introducing us to compelling characters who become truly viable progenitors of the characters in The Mists of Avalon. Even on its own merits, the book is an excellent read, exploring both the historic and fanciful aspects of the time period. If you enjoyed the Mists of Avalon, you will enjoy this book as well!

As a huge fan of Bradley's, and holding "The Mists of Avalon" up high as my favorite book of all time, I must confess I was very disappointed in this book. I was so excited when I heard there was a prequel to the "Mists of Avalon" I rushed out to get it. Owning and cherishing Bradley's other books. This book went along very slowly and did not keep my interest as does so many of her other books. I had to force myself to read it though.

Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon novels continue to compel and inspire even after her death, and _The Forest House_ is certainly no exception. After becomong obsessed with _The Mists of Avalon_, I had no idea there were other books in the semi-series until I found a copy of _The Forest House_ in a used book store, and read it in only a day or so. If you liked _Mists_, this novel won't disappoint.

I also recommend you start with _The Fall of Atlantis_, and then continue reading the books in chronological order, which places Diana Paxson's _Ancestors of Avalon_ next, followed by _Lady of Avalon_, _The Forest House_ and finally _The Mists of Avalon_.

Set in the Roman era, this book tells the story of the lives of the Priestesses who lived in The Forest House, a religious compound. This book provides excellent insight into the spirituality of the Celtic people and the holidays of the Druids. This was the first of the books in the Avalon series that I read, and it really touched me. Reading this book caused me to spend many hours wondering what was fact and what was fiction since the amount of historical detail is so immense.

Sometimes, we simply need to get away from the reality of our own lives and get lost in the world of make-believe. This is what The Forest House did for me. I didn't take away any great life-lessons. Reading this book felt like it was all about entertainment.

I am usually wary of prequels of successful works; however, my wariness was completely unwarranted. This novel complements The Mists of Avalon by introducing us to compelling characters who become truly viable progenitors of the characters in The Mists of Avalon. Even on its own merits, the book is an excellent read, exploring both the historic and fanciful aspects of the time period. If you enjoyed the Mists of Avalon, you will enjoy this book as well!

As a huge fan of Bradley's, and holding "The Mists of Avalon" up high as my favorite book of all time, I must confess I was very disappointed in this book. I was so excited when I heard there was a prequel to the "Mists of Avalon" I rushed out to get it. Owning and cherishing Bradley's other books. This book went along very slowly and did not keep my interest as does so many of her other books. I had to force myself to read it though.

By the time I read this, I had read Mists of Avalon at least three times. This was such a dsappointment by comparison. I found whole passages tedious and over-blown in a melodramatic, soap-operish way. Bradley had such a phenomenal success with Mists, this reads as if she was cashing in.

I loved this book. It was fantastic, thou maybe not a great as the Mists of Avalon it was amazing. I recommend it to people that are interested in early Britain times. And also I think that you will like it more if you read this book first. It is the story of Eilan Guis two people from completely different in a way, places and falling the love. The book then follows their lives, for around 30 years when they are reunited for one last time.

to sum it all up, i abosolutely love anything and everything to do with the myths surrounding avalon and king aurther!! this is actually the prequel to Mists of Avalon. to tell you the truth, i have yet to get into it due to the fact that the book is huge and not enough time between school and work to read it, however, i am now geytting a break from both and tend to enjoy all of the books in this series.

Written just as well as "The Mists of Avalon," "The Forest House" was far more depressing. Heart-wrenching, even. It was a worthwhile and compelling read, however, and gives you a dose of genuine Arthurian emotion if you're craving it.

After reading Mysts of Avalon I fell in love with Marion Zimmer Bradley's writing. It was the best book I have ever read, The Forest House was well written. The plot was strong and the characters had the same life and relatablity as the characters in Mysts however, The Forest House left me hanging. I think it lacked the completeness of Mysts. The end came at you rather too quickly and I think it could have been better explained. Perhaps it's just after seeing the masterpeice every other worke seams dimmed, but I think The Forest House was not as good as it could have been.

This a good book that I enjoyed. The story starts strong and is nicely done. The end was a bit rushed or odd, I take that to be an editorial thing.. Definately worth the read for all Fans of the era or of MZB in general.

Again, too dull to finish. Perhaps it has something to do with it trying to connect to The Mists of Avalon, but being completely different, and just two characters that have been created to have a romance, a Roman, and one of the priestesses of the local religion. If you like that sort of Tristan and Isolde thing, then this may well be for you.

The Forest House, the first of the Mists of Avalon series is a novel from a womens piont of view about history and the happenings of the world when Christianity was starting to drown out the other religions. It describes the hardships of those who beleived in the old ways and their struggle to make peace with those who thought they were "evil". Marion's unique style of writting makes the characters stand out in your mind and the conflicts seem more real and close to home. So don't be suprised if it even cathes up with you in your dreams.

I guess the book seemed doubly worse because I've read THE MISTS OF AVALON. This book, although it has a good storyline and is historically accurate, was so dull. T\In THE FOREST HOUSE, the characters were dead, and well, everything else was too. I wasn't convinced of anything, like the emotions of the characters, the Goddess, the chain of events... I did enjoy the ending (Caillean was my favorite character) but it's not worth suffering through the boring book to get to Afallon.

This was an okay book, not her best. It is about the period where christianity was moving into Britian and pushing out the pagan ways. You would probably enjoy this book if you like tales of King Arthur. It has a lot of woman's lib struggles in the plot.

I have read many books by Marion Zimmer Bradley and appreciated this entrancng prequel to The Mists of Avalon immensley. It provided a look into post-Roman Britain and the conflict between two conflicting cultures. The love story between Eilan and Gaius was intriuging, commplicated and enhanced by the presences of Julia and the Macellias, and Cynric and Dieda. A fantastic book by a brilliant author and one I would recommend to anyone.(Except my brothers)

I checked this out after listening to Davina Porter read "Mists of Avalon". I couldn't get past the first half of cassette one. The reader wasn't interested in making the story come to life, but rather in her own dramatic prowess. Ack!

This is not Mists and it's not supposed to be. It's a smaller story with inherently different characters. And it is a gem. Evocative of the gorgeous country it is set in, with characters that are painfully human and far from stock-beautiful, lyrical descriptions, which MZB always promises and always delivers.

This was the very first book by Marion Zimmer Bradley I have ever read, and I must say that this book has always stayed my favorite! It's so detailed telling us of the sheltered life of the priestesses, the busy bustle of the cities, even the art of war and the love of Eilan and Gaius,that the whole epoche is brought as life once again as soon as you open this beautiful novel.
BUY IT! :)

Had i been given the option, i would have given this book zero stars, or prefferably negative number. The only reason i read this book past the third page was because it was assigned by my high school english teacher. This book was terribly assembled, the characters were unrealistic, and poorly portrayed, the plot was uderly ludicrous, not to mention the climax. My recommendation to anyone considering this book is to think again. This book ruined the series for me and although i have heard great reviews about the mists of avalon, the sequel, I refuse to even look at it after reading The Forest House garbage.

I regard Marion Zimmer Bradley as probably the best author I have ever come across. I marvel at the research that she must put into her historical books and the depth of human emotions that she weaves in. All I can say about this book is that I cried throughout it and for about a week after; the final chapter stabbed at my soul as if it was telling the story of myself or my family.

Although this book was not as good as The Mists of Avalon, I was fascinated and moved. There were times that I was frustrated with the characters, but the end compensated for it. Marion Zimmer Braldley has a way of weaving her tales with a combination of interesting plots and deep thoughts. I cried when I finished The Mists of Avalon, and I cried when I finished this one.

Although it probably is difficult to re create the wonderful essence of Mists of Avalon, I still loved Forest House. I thought it was well characterized and did not expect similarities with Mists, which was altogether a different age, culture and mix of natives and foreigners. Altogether, MZB's writing always seem to capture the bona fide soul of the times.

This book was excellent and though not as completely wonderul as "The Mists of Avalon" it was still very enjoyable... Bradley has become one of my most beloved authors! I cannot wait to finish "The Lady of Avalon"

I was SOOOO angry at how Bradley/Paxton, or WHOEVER took the beauty and magic of Mists, and twisted it into a series of commericial and financial attempts at success.
I didn't even bother finishg it. I don't think I got through the first chapter.
I found myself thinking, "who ARE these people???" who were not related to any of the characters in Mists at all, although I have read here that "Lady of Avalon" is the infamous story of how the mists were brought down, and the story of Vivienne, and her beginnings. I have yet to read any of them. I simply refuse. I will not pay one penny to anyone who is involved in the shredding of the wonderful, magical story of "Mists of Avalon".
Plus, finding out the Ms. Bradley has been long dead, and all these others in her name have been written by some Paxton woman, who if you read the other critical reviews, is very telling of the other prequels.
If you really are a fan of Bradley's, you will keep your money in your wallet. Just as Anne Rice lost me after the 4th Vamire Chronicles, and now "writes only for the Lord" (rolls eyes), I have lost my faith in so many authors that I swore by 20 years ago...

"I loved it," It actually told of the times before morgaine of the fairies and other mysterious things in those times. I am glad that Marion Zimmer-Bradley had the guts to tell about a book that would frighten men, because it frightened my older brother that I had read a book giving me strength to go on, I was always feeble and shy before I read "The Forest House" and "The Mists of Avolon," Now I know that I am ready for the world.

Very enjoyable novel. Am not sure that Christianity was as fully organized in Early Roman Britain as indicated in the book, but since we are shady on much of that period's history, it's perhaps possible.