Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!RTILLSON@DEC-MARLBORO From: RTILLSON%DEC-MARLBORO@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers Subject: Matriarchies Message-ID: <15457@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Fri, 13-Jan-84 13:02:00 EST Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.15457 Posted: Fri Jan 13 13:02:00 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 16-Jan-84 01:18:58 EST Lines: 41 From: Rita M. Tillson One of the finest books I have read involving a matriarchy is actually about the decline and fall of a matriarchy - THE MISTS OF AVALON by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It is Arthurian legend, told completely from the viewpoint of the female characters, Vivianne, Morgaine, Morgause, and Gwenefheur. Its focus is on the conflict between the ancient Druidic society, a matriarchy, and the patriarchal Christian society. It is a "must read" for anyone interested in matriarchy, Arthurian legend, or Marion Zimmer Bradley. In my opinion, this is Bradley's best work to date. It is a well-researched work; the Druidic ritual is very close to actual Wiccan ritual, although MZB freely admits to some modification of the Wiccan versions. It is a very long book (about 800 pages, if my memory serves me correctly), and very complex. The interpersonal relationships that develop as the years (and pages) pass are superbly detailed. The characters are real and believable, and the plot is well developed. The book is not without flaws. The wonderful character development is occasionally at the expense of action and pace, and the concluding chapter should have been left out entirely. I found that these were flaws I easily overlooked. The prose often approached poetry, and the three page introductory chapter by Morgaine was almost worth the price of the hardcover edition by itself. THE MISTS OF AVALON is an innovative and imaginative approach to a legend whose retellings often seem like last night's leftovers - stale and tiresome. I recommend it highly. There is a short story with a matriarchal theme that I enjoyed very much. Unfortunately, I read it years ago and cannot remember the title. I believe it was by Johanna Russ, and was included in the DANGEROUS VISIONS series. It is about a group of colonists whose male population has been wiped out by a sex-linked disease. The remaining colonists succeed in cloning new offspring. Having only X chromosomes to clone from, they have only female children. The story takes place several generations later, when the colonists are "rescued" by a group of male explorers. Does anyone remember the title of this story? /phae --------