- Paperback: 381 pages
- Publisher: Coronet Books; New edition edition (1 Nov 1988)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340027134
- ISBN-13: 978-0340027134
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.2 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 374,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
‘[Anya Seton] brought history so vividly to life’
(Philippa Gregory )‘A triumph . . . Fast-moving, exciting and all-action. Avalon has terrific pace, crisp dialogue . . . Seton makes even the minor characters into vivid, convincing folk. A splendid full-length portrait.’
(Evening News )
'Perhaps the greatest gifts Anya Seton brings to her historical novels are the zest of her narrative, the life she breathes into the most insignificant characters, and the atmosphere of the era she evokes around them'
(Books and Bookmen )'Anya Seton takes us into other worlds, making us live for a few hours on a grand scale'
(Woman's Journal )'Wonderful historical novels'
(Alison Weir )‘Miss Seton’s enthusiasm for both character and period is infectious.'
(Daily Telegraph on KATHERINE )'Seductive, atmospheric, intriguing'
(Kate Mosse on GREEN DARKNESS ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.Philippa Gregory
`[Anya Seton] brought history so vividly to life'
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Does Rumon find his Avalon? The quest for what seems like the unattainable takes the reader on a fascinating, interesting and exciting journey through 10th century England. This little known period of history is brought to life as we follow our French Prince Rumon and the Cornish "Lady" Merewyn searching for Avalon and each other throughout their lives. We share their highs and lows, always willing them on towards each other. Their journey moves from France through Cornwall to England and then beyond to Iceland and Greenland before returning to England. Anya Seton twists and turns her tale right to the last page and one can either rejoice or despair at the outcome! As a newcomer to Anya Seton's work I am now hooked! I throughly enjoyed the book. A highly recommended read, especially for those who enjoy history, adventure and romance in one book!
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Based upon a true story, this is the epic telling of the life of a woman named Merewyn, who lived during the tumultuous tenth and eleventh centuries. Her mother had been the victim of one of the Viking raids on the coast of Cornwall. As a result, Merewyn was born. Her life was to change when a Prince of Provence named Rumon, the sole survivor of a shipwreck, was washed upon the shores near Merwyn's home.
As Rumon is a Prince of the House of Atheling, he is looking for his royal kin. Fourteen year old Merewyn, her mother having died of illness, acts as his guide. When they get to Court, Merewyn, who believes herself to be descended from King Arthur, is afforded a place in the Queen's retinue, while Rumon becomes great friends with the King. The King has two sons, Edward by his first wife, and Ethelred by his second wife, the beautiful Queen Alfrida, who is as evil as she is beautiful.
The years pass, and Merewyn, who was originally fond of the Queen, finally sees her for what she is. Rumon, however, falls under her thrall, much to Merewyn's dismay, as she has fallen in love with him. When the King mysteriously dies, Edward ascends the throne at the age of fourteen. Unfortunately, he, too, meets an ignominious end, and his younger brother, Ethelred, becomes King. He will eventually be known as Ethelred the Unready.
Against this historical backdrop, Merewyn and Rumon live out their lives, star-crossed lovers whose lives, though intersecting, are never able to be joined. They would each find themselves on a path in which happiness would elude them. How they reconcile their respective fates and where the road of life leads them makes for an enjoyable tale told by a master storyteller. Set against the backdrop of Viking raids, battle, and adventure, this is a well-researched and well-written work of historical fiction that those who enjoy this particular genre will relish.
As Rumon is a Prince of the House of Atheling, he is looking for his royal kin. Fourteen year old Merewyn, her mother having died of illness, acts as his guide. When they get to Court, Merewyn, who believes herself to be descended from King Arthur, is afforded a place in the Queen's retinue, while Rumon becomes great friends with the King. The King has two sons, Edward by his first wife, and Ethelred by his second wife, the beautiful Queen Alfrida, who is as evil as she is beautiful.
The years pass, and Merewyn, who was originally fond of the Queen, finally sees her for what she is. Rumon, however, falls under her thrall, much to Merewyn's dismay, as she has fallen in love with him. When the King mysteriously dies, Edward ascends the throne at the age of fourteen. Unfortunately, he, too, meets an ignominious end, and his younger brother, Ethelred, becomes King. He will eventually be known as Ethelred the Unready.
Against this historical backdrop, Merewyn and Rumon live out their lives, star-crossed lovers whose lives, though intersecting, are never able to be joined. They would each find themselves on a path in which happiness would elude them. How they reconcile their respective fates and where the road of life leads them makes for an enjoyable tale told by a master storyteller. Set against the backdrop of Viking raids, battle, and adventure, this is a well-researched and well-written work of historical fiction that those who enjoy this particular genre will relish.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
It isn't Katherine by a long shot, but still a good read, and I would recommend to any lover of historical fiction.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What can I say? You must read this book
This is a must read even though it has been in print for some time now I keep going back to it at least once per decade!
Published 10 months ago by D. ashworth
Dated and flat
I was glad to read the 3-star review: I'm struggling to find the will to continue reading Avalon. The characters are flat and two-dimensional, and the plot is boring. Read more
Published 15 months ago by H. Adams
Highly recommended
By far the best of Seton's historical novels I've read and I've read most of them .....wonderfully bittersweet. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by Brian O'Driscoll
Will you find your Avalon?
I loved this book, it's another historical epic by Seton and it doesn't fail to deliver. The lives of two people are connected by a chance meeting which affects their actions for... Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by Z. Nichols
Excellent and that little bit different.
This is the bittersweet story of Cornish girl Merewyn, and Provencal adventurer Rumon who's paths cross in 10th century Britain. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2008 by Hamstead
I feel as if I am a descendant
This was book was great, although I am not too sure if it was the thrill of actually seeing my name in print and it not be about me! Read more
Published on 12 July 2007 by M. E. Everson
Brilliant!
An amazing novel, complete Seton-ian material. Beautifully written and always engaging, the reaon for my rating however is that it did not touch me as much as "Katherine," to... Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2006 by Roét
Dated historical romance
I loved Seton's Katherine and so read this, but was disappointed. The characters never really come to life at all and I really didn't care whether they ever got together or... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2006 by Roman Clodia
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