Medionemeton Pagan Sanctuary

FICTION BOOKS

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It's all very well to spend hours a day learning all there is to know about Paganism, but just once in a while, it's nice to sit down and relax with a glass of something fizzy and a good fiction book. This page gives a selection of the best of Pagan-related fiction, and some pointers to other authors you might enjoy. Click above for other types of books, or to return to our home page.

Apuleius, Lucius.

  • The Golden Ass, translated by Robert Graves, (Penguin, 1950). Fictionalised account of the ancient mysteries of Isis. First rate bedtime reading.

    Bradley, Marion. First rate. Best known for the Pagan classic The Mists of Avalon, she also wrote a couple of prequels - The Forests of Avalon (first published as The Forest House) and Lady of Avalon. Her retelling of the Trojan War (The Firebrand) is also excellent. Early in her career, she wrote one book on witchcraft titled "Dark Satanic", which was riddled with the usual stereotypes and I understand incurred the wrath of much of the pagan community. However, several people wrote to her to correct her facts, and before her death in 1999 I understand she had become a competent Priestess in her own right. In the 4 years before her death she wrote four excellent books based around magicians, entitled Ghostlight (1995), Witchlight (1996), Gravelight (1997) and Heartlight (1998).

  • The Firebrand (Sphere, 1987). The Trojan War from the point of view of the Priestess of Apollo, Kassandra. Excellent - Odysseos unwillingly forced into war by treaty agreement; Achilles as a total psychopath. With a polite nod in the direction of Mary Renault.

  • The Mists of Avalon (Sphere, 1982). No Pagan reading list is complete without a mention of The Mists of Avalon. This work of fiction (with plenty of factual content for those willing to find it) is probably the best retelling of the Arthurian Myth on the market, told from the point of view of Morgaine the Fey.

  • The Forests of Avalon (Penguin, 1998). (Also published as The Forest House) Following the destruction of the Druid college on Inis Mona the native religion is forced into uneasy coexistence with the Romans.

  • Lady of Avalon (Penguin, 1998). Covers the decades up to The Mists of Avalon.

    The "-light" series are a group of very enjoyable books which can be read in order but also as stand-alones. The only thing which annoyed me about these books was the obvious "borrowing" of the names of (in)famous occultists and Pagans.

  • Ghostlight (Tor, 1995). When Truth Jourdemayne returns to the house her parents died in decades earlier she finds strangers trying to reenact the magical workings of her father. Magical work that is far from white.

  • Witchlight (Tor, 1996). Winter Musgrave, suffering from amnesia and some really bizarre "poltergeist" activity, begins to gain clues to her forgotten magical past.

  • Gravelight (Tor, 1997). In the mountains and backwoods old magic and things best left buried still wait, watch and occasionally act. A good look at some of the Black Magic paths which may have reached the Americas along with the colonists.

  • Heartlight (Tor, 1998). White Path Adept Colin MacLaren, a member of one of those magical orders we all want to believe really exists, returns to the USA from the remains of occupied Europe having helped defeat the Nazis and the Thule Society. But with the acolyte he must train nowhere to be found, is America sliding inexorably towards the condition he fought to prevent? Unashamed White Path propaganda and a very good read for a night in front of the fire.

    Brin, David. Professor Brin will probably have a fit if he finds out one of his books is being recommended for Pagans (but then again, maybe not!). I thorougly enjoyed this for many reasons, including its Pagan subtext.

  • Earth (Futura, 1990). Is the Earth conscious? Could She get that way? The book is riddled with enough ideas that I can't justify saying that this "Gaian" idea is the basis of the book. Readers may find the Church of Gaia an interesting idea. A prayer that begins "Our Mother, who art beneath us, whatever thy name..." Could we as pagans be heading this way? Readers of his Uplift novels may find the Goddess Ifni uncomfortably familiar.

    de Lint, Charles. An addictive mix of contemporary fantasy and deep myth - the sort of thing that plays with your subconscious in fun ways. Very, very good stuff.

  • Moonheart (Pan, 1984). When Sara finds a strange collection of artefacts in the basement of her bookshop, she has no idea of the mysterious world they will lead her and her friends into.

  • Greenmantle (Pan, 1988). Ali and her mysterious new friend Tony stumble across a "secret" in the forest, pipes play on the wind and conjure up something from the Otherworld. A magical ride through some of the old myths.

  • Someplace to be Flying (Macmillan, 1998). When Hank is rescued from a nasty situation by a couple of kids, it throws him into a world he thought was just the ramblings of the old storyteller, Jack Daw. Are there really animal people living alongside us? An interesting take on creation mythology.

    Fortune, Dion. One of the respected doyens of modern witchcraft. Much of her work has now been published by a group she founded - The Society of the Inner Light. Perhaps best known for her fiction, Dion also wrote several works on ritual magic. Today she is often criticised for her less than politically correct attitudes, but if you can get over this her work is worth reading. In essence she was writing before the development of modern Craft ethical standards. A few readers may find the inevitably out of date style slightly annoying.

  • The Sea Priestess (Aquarian Press, 1989). During a severe asthma attack, Wilfred discovers a mysterious ability to communicate directly with the moon. He then discovers an unusual affinity with the mysterious Vivien Le Fey Morgan, and together they explore their magickal talents using ritual and myth.

  • Moon Magic (SIL Trading Ltd, 1995). This is the sequel to "The Sea Priestess", and tells the story of Dr Robert Malcolm and his encounters with the seemingly immortal Miss Le Fay Morgan. Although this is a work of fiction, its aim is not just to entertain, but is also to teach the basics of the Western Mystery Traditions, as worked through by Dr Malcolm and Miss Morgan.

    Kerr, Katharine. I know some people have in intense dislike of alter-Celtic fictional realities. She is, I think, one of the authors who has tackled the idea successfully. If Katharine is not involved in Paganism I would be very surprised. The dedication for A Time of Exile is "tibi, Dea, nominis pro gloria tuae". My Latin is a little rusty and was never very impressive, but I think this means "to you, Goddess, that your name may be glorified". Honourable intentions, at least. I suppose these could be read as stand alone books, but to understand the way she follows the same souls through multiple incarnations you really need to begin at the beginning or you get totally confused, and you might need to read them a few times to avoid getting confused anyway. Thoroughly enjoyable.

  • Daggerspell; Darkspell; Dawnspell: The Bristling Wood; Dragonspell (Grafton, 1987 onwards). This series follows the life of Nevyn ("no-one"), a wandering sorcerer, through the twists and turns of the lives of three souls who are bound to him by their joint history. A fascinating take on reincarnation and karma from a very Celtic-esque perspective.

  • A Time of Exile; A Time of Omens; A Time of War: Days of Blood and Fire; A Time of Justice: Days of Air and Darkness (Grafton, 1992 onwards). Follows on from the "-spell" series of books, charting the history of the mysterious Elycion Lacar, the struggle of the Guardians to find a new home in the material world, and the search for the lost elves of the Southern Isles. Follows the lives of many characters known and loved from her first series.

  • The Red Wyvern; The Black Raven (Voyager, 1997 onwards). This series homes in on the life of Rhodry of the Silver Daggers, and his ongoing karmic feud with the Raven Woman.

    Pratchett, Terry. Commonly known to be the most shop-lifted author in the UK, Mr Pratchett has written many books where magic plays an important part. Many of his characters are tongue-in-cheek steryotypes of the sort of people we all know - the "fluffy-bunny" witch with lots of jewellery and flowers in her hair, the earth mother with dozens, if not hundreds, of grandchildren, and the practical one who will do whatever is necessary, no matter how difficult it might be. And Rincewind. I'm sure we all know a Rincewind. If you've not tried these yet, give them a go. They're also great for teenagers, though they might not get all the jokes, so be prepared!

  • The Discworld Series: The Colour of Magic; The Light Fantastic; Equal Rites; Mort; Sourcery; Wyrd Sisters; Pyramids; Guards! Guards!; Eric (with Josh Kirby); Moving Pictures; Reaper Man; Witches Abroad; Small Gods; Lords and Ladies; Men at Arms; Soul Music; Interesting Times; Maskerade; Feet of Clay; Hogfather; Jingo; The Last Continent; Carpe Jugulum; The Fifth Elephant; The Truth; Thief of Time; The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents; The Night Watch; The Wee Free Men. There are also various companion volumes to these, such as Nanny Ogg's Cookbook, and A Tourist Guide to Lancre.

    Generally each book follows events from the point of view of a particular group of characters, such as the witches, the City Watchmen, or the wizards. These are fantastic.

  • Good Omens (with Neil Gaiman). What will happen when the Antichrist comes to Earth? Things get very, very strange, that's what! Four children, one professional descendant, and a very unlikely hero battle against the evil of the four horsemen and, erm, bikers of the Apocalypse, not really helped by the Archangel Gabriel.

    Starhawk. Perhaps better known for her "standard" witchcraft texts like "The Spiral Dance", Starhawk has also written some unmissable fiction. Heavy on magic and with some interesting ideas. These should be bought, as you'll read them again and again.

  • The Fifth Sacred Thing (Thorsons, 1993). The USA has been claimed by religious fundamentalists, but San Francisco has rebelled and still holds its own with an alternative economy, government and defence. Then the massive military machine across the border moves in. Well and truly in the same genre as Margaret Attwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". Don't start this just before bed - you won't be able to put it down.

  • Walking to Mercury (Thorsons, 1999). Following the earlier life of Maya Greenwood, one of the protagonists of The Fifth Sacred Thing. Heartily recommended.

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    This page last modified: 14th April 2008
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