The Saga of the Renunciates

This was my first introduction to the world of Darkover (despite having read many many other of Marion Zimmer Bradley's books), and I was hooked.

I really enjoyed the complex culture of the story, and vivid characters the most. I also found its portrayal of gender issues very interesting, and that facet didn't really detract from the story for me.

Another re-read for me. I've always liked these 3 books in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series. The Renunciates are women living in the feudal, patriarchal Darkovan society who renounce the traditional dependency on men & work to live in new ways doing all kinds of different things. These have been out of print for quite a while, so it was nice to see them in the world again. I read them when they first came out - late '70's/early '80's after my father turned me on to the whole series with The Forbidden Tower (Darkover).

I had wondered if these would be too dated given the changes in feminist thought & theory since they were written, but I found them for the most part surprisingly fresh. I really like Thendara House (Darkover) best show more as it's the most in-depth examination of the two main characters, Jaelle & Margali, & their own journeys to self-empowerment (yes, Virginia, woman can be Joseph Campbell class heroes, too!).
Good stories & an interesting exploration of gender roles, sexuality (& its many possibilities), friendship, & living in defiance of societal norms. It's a fun read & with 3 books in one will keep you occupied! show less

Big gap between first and second books - kinda like the whole emphasis had changed - and what’s with falling off the edge of the world in the last book - the whole guardianship bit is all, all gone. And Lorrill as Camillia’s father - it could have worked except that it would be hard for Margali, Elizabeth’s only child, to have been much younger than C. But who pays attention to genealogies in one book when writing the next.

This part of the series focuses on the Free Amazons. GREAT series.