Bradley. Marion Zimmer & Paxson, Diana L. Priestess of Avalon.

Penguin Putnam, Roc. 394p. c2000. 0-451-45862-1. $15.95. JSA 

When Marion Zimmer Bradley, queen of Arthurian fantasy, died, she left an unfinished manuscript, which one of her main followers completed. This tale is set in third-century Europe, and melds the religions of the times. The story takes historical characters and inserts possibly mythical elements that act as precursors to King Arthur. The main dynamic counterbalances historical reality and the enchanted world, here couched as a very real alterative universe. Helena ventures from her safe isolation to embrace a Roman officer. Her tryst shapes the future, and the question is: was that future pre-ordained or freely chosen? In the final analysis, Helena must accept the reality of her status, and she seeks to bridge the two realities throughout her life--and the lives of her contemporaries. The reader is provided with a unique "spin" on the conversion of Constantine and the role of the Holy Lands.

There is a sense that the authors tried hard to use the historical evidence to bring credence to their Arthurian legend. As such, the writing can sometimes seem dragged down by historical fact so it does not have the free-flowing gossamer of typical Bradley. However, showing how an Avalon priestess can shape pre-medieval history does lend Arthurian legend more gravity. Dr. Lesley S.J. Farmer, Lib. Media/Teacher Svcs., Cal. State Univ., Long Beach, CA