Any fans o'Gwen out there?!

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

Hi community, I just found you through some cool person that added me!:) Anyways, I've been interested in Arthurian legend since... well, since First Knight came out. Recently, I have been studying it seriously, and did my 30 page senior thesis on Guinevere's infertility in The Mists of Avalon and Guenevere: Queen of the Summer Country. I was an English major, and now I'm getting my MAE with a concentration in Arthurian Legend. Anyways, I think I am the lone fan of Gwen and her complicated life, but she is definitely my favorite. Any fans of Rosalind Miles books? Anyone read "The Dragon Queen" by Alice Borchardt? Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie? Have read the first Miles book but the rest of these are all on my to be read list.

I'm also quite interested in early music and I hope to find the time to be involved in the SCA at some point.

On page 30 of my own novel about Guinevere, slowly but surely writing... :)

Comments

[summerstormaria.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

I love madrigals as well! Do you sing? (Haven't checked your user info. yet!) I'm a music major and just got finished studying ancient and early music last semester. Du Fay, Palestrina...you know the crowd.

I can see why Gwen would be interesting to study, but emotionally during the Mists, I just can't stand her. I bet your thesis is wonderful!

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

I think, like most stuff in legend, it just depends on what version you read. She is weak in Mists, but I tend to believe she was more a queen that could manage the kingdom when Arthur was out doing the hold-off-the-Saxons thing. At least we do know that many noble women of the time did manage household affairs.

I'm not a fan of that version of her, but I can see why she is that way, other than just the patriarchy. She really has some anxiety issues in the first 50 pages, also of note.

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

Hello, music major:) I was a music minor. I sang a lot in college, in choir and the selective Madrigals. I also write folk music. Did a term paper on Morley... it was fun:) I could listen to Palestrina for hours... it's perfect.

I don't agree with the treatment of Gwen in Mists. I see MZB's point... since she submits to the patriarchy and is basically obsessed with it, she deserves her lot... but I still don't think she was treated fairly.

[bluerapunzel.livejournal.com]

I hated Gwen in "Mists" too--she's a bitch and a half in that book. But in Rosalind Miles' series about her, she's actually a very strong queen. She's pagan in Miles' books, more like Morgaine in Mist.
I haven't read Borchadt yet, but she's on my to-read list! :)

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

Miles' version is my favorite!!! Have you seen the movie "Guinevere," in which Noah Wylie plays Lancelot? The portrayals are similar, but Miles' is less Joan of Arc-ish.

[shandril19.livejournal.com]

You're not alone. Guinevere is by far my favorite character and I consider her one of my personal heroines.

I think she's a fascinating character in the myriad of ways she is presented. I'll put the Alice Borchardt book on my list. I've also read the first Miles book as well as the McKenzie books. I'd also suggest the Persia Wooley series if you haven't read them.

I think it's a really well done modern addition to the legend. A full bodied, well rounded Gwen.

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the Borchardt version, but have yet to read it.

[amea.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm a big Guenever fan too (as you can see) although I have to profess I don't particularly like Mists of Avalon (and not just because of the way she is portrayed). She is a fascinating and complex character. :)

I'm actually just a freshman in college, so I haven't gotten far enough to do anything more exciting than start working on my own novel, lol, and do lots of uninteresting research and read a lot, but I am majoring in Brit Lit with a focus on British legend. ^_^ So don't feel lonely!

I have been looking for some of those Guenever books without success! (Except "The Dragon Queen" which I have found but am scared of. ;)) I'm afraid I'm pretty much of an orthodox Guenever fan and like more 'canon' stuff like Malory and White the best, although that's not to say I don't enjoy a good rewrite (it's just that not all revisionists are good. ~_^)

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

Hi person studying British legend. What an amazing field you have chosen:) My biggest regret is not starting with the traditional stuff and working my way outward. Part of the reason I haven't been able to read enough rewrites is that I have to go back and read Malory, the Mab, etc. Never expected to have to drudge through more Welsh stuff than anything, but here I am.

[millebasia.livejournal.com]

I've read Queen of Camelot by McKenzie and it's one of my favorite books ever. Seriously. I love how she's portrayed as a strong woman in it. I wasn't a big fan of Mists, and not just because of her. I just didn't like it much. Sorry, guys. I've read Dragon Queen and I must say it was a very interesting take on Guinevere, but I still liked it. I haven't read Miles yet, but it's on my to do list. And right now I'm an English major, but still only a freshman in college, working on my own novel about Arthurian mush, which is in the community World_of_wonder. Sadly to say, Guinevere is the dork in this one. But I love Arthurian legend! :)

[madrigalblue.livejournal.com]

hey you are seriously interesting... can i friend you?