The Fall of Atlantis Mass Market Paperback – February 1, 1987

I've had The Fall of Atlantis for a long time, but just last year managed to buy myself a original language copy, and only read it last month. I've fell in love with the characterization and concepts in the story when I first read it, but reading it in english gave me a new insight and a new passion for the book (it is clear to me that translation might ruin a story, or at least make it less appealing and my copy was a 1st edition, full of mistakes). It brings out some of the best aspects of MZB when building characters, but it does fall short on the plot, that isn't always clear. It reads much more like an early Darkover novel than a late Avalon Series book. It gives you a sense of how much she grew as a writter, and on the author's strong points and talents.The characters in The Fall of Atlantis are wonderfully flawed, even when they are flawless (one might say "specially when they're trying to be flawless"). The main characters are the sisters Deoris and Domaris, both woman that try to be strong even when being guided by the men around them. It is from the start the story of a society that is decaying, although it might not be so easy to see it at first.The really funny thing about it being renamed The Fall of Atlantis is that the book happens mostly away from Atlantis and it doesn't fall in the end - not literaly, at least. It is the story of how the society fell and how it culminated in the physical destruction of the continent, which still lies in the future by the end of the book. It also gives you an important insight into the following books of the Avalon series since it shows you that some people are "the same souls" coming back again to repeat their errors, and why they do that.In short, it is the base of the whole Avalon Series and a must read for any fan of Mists of Avalon and it's prequels.

Marion Zimmer Bradley was a woman unparalleled when it came to telling the story of lost lands, now below the sea.Her tale of the Fall of Atlantis focused not on the Greek tales, but from somewhere deeper. A greater understanding of the Western Mystery Tradition than most give her credit for.The Ancient Land she speaks of is the lost civilization near the Black Sea. And while that land sank many thousands of years previous to the time this story is told, the same basic thoughts fill ones mind: misuse of knowledge, without wisdom will ALWAYS bring disaster. But not all disasters are evil or good, they merely are.This is the story of the misuse of knowledge on a scale that we ourselves may someday see. The grids of the Earth and its electromagnetic fields are daily being tampered with due to power lines and wifi, and these do and always will have effects, as small as a butterfly, as well as our uses of nuclear energy, can cause disastrous results. The wings of a butterfly can create a storm. A storm that may be strong enough to tip the scales of our post modern world.What has happened before may happen again. Marion's understanding of vibration and its role in magic is also very potent, for someone with no training in its discipline.May we learn deeply that no knowledge is without its prices. And no knowledge, tempered without wisdom is worth the destruction that always follows in greedy men and women's hearts.

This book is very important in the Mists of Avalon series, in that it starts everything. This book starts the tale of characters that incarnate through all the other books. The story given here immediately picks up again in the sequal "Ancestors of Avalon."I found this original story to be very interesting, spiritual, and having the feeling of history--even though it's about a supposedly fictional place. It is clear that this is one of MZB's earlier works, but it is still enchanting.I wish MZB could have kept her original titles for what she saw as a two part book, because the title "The Fall of Atlantis" is ill suited here. Most of the story doesn't even take place in Atlantis, but in a more ancient land. The part of the tale that does take place in Atlantis leaves the reader wanting more images and descriptions of this mysterious land. Also there is no "Falling" of Atlantis in this book, that doesn't happen until the next book "Ancestors of Avalon." The image on the front of the book is also misleading, as no scene even remotely like this occurs. I found it a bit of a distraction to the story to keep wondering when this scene of destruction and chaos would occur, only finding that it doesn't.If you are at all interested in "The Mists of Avalon" series, this is a necessary start, just don't expect the destruction suggested by the cover.

THE FALL OF ATLANTIS begins the 'backstory' of the MISTS OF AVALON trilogy. Two sisters Deoris and Domaris are beginning their training as priestesses, as befits their caste. Their world is shaken by the arrival of Micon, a young priest who had fallen into the hands of the Black Prieshood and tortured. Their lives and those around them are changed by events that will take many lifetimes to resolve.This book has been compared to other MZB books, particularly the AVALON trilogy. This book, and those that follow are much earlier works by MZB, and are, not surprisingly, not as masterful as her later books, particularly MISTS OF AVALON. That aside THE FALL OF ATLANTIS is still an excellent story. The characters are engaging, the plot well thought out and interesting, the world is consistent and plausible.This novel in many ways foreshadows the AVALON series. The characters in both trilogies are victims of the actions of their parents, their own decisions impact the lives of their own children. Both are set into societies that are changing and ultimately dying. And both are betrayed at some point from within. Is this as good a book as MISTS OF AVALON? No, but it is as good as THE FOREST HOUSE or LADY OF AVALON and is definitely worth the time for fans of MZB's other works, and also for those who are not fans yet.

Took me forever to get into it but once I did, I was hooked. Looking forward to continuing this universe

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy. Marion Zimmer Bradley is an excellent writer whose beautiful prose creates an entirely-believable world. This is a darker book than her others; but her elements of romance and wonder are still beautifully-present, and her evocative writing makes it an unputdownable delight! I recommend it for all ages with the only caveat being that it is so engaging that you might spend the whole night awake reading!

Really disappointed with this story and gave up after the first 100 pages. Nothing like the masterpiece of the "Mists of Avalon". The characters are a sorry bunch and the title is misleading there is no depth to anyone and I felt that story was going no where.

Action packed & full of anticipation. A must for those who love tales of Atlantis.

This shows how an ancient people were gradually forced from their islands and the actual end of those islands. That tohse same people then went on to bild on other islands of the chain, which eventually they lost.

I like the spirituality of her books, whilst still being good stories and page turners