Call number
JF ALE
Collection
Genres
Publication
Yearling (1978), 224 pages
Description
Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil.
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member kraaivrouw
The Chronicles of Prydain were my first big girl books. We read them aloud as a family, taking turns reading one chapter each night. Eventually I began to read ahead & I've been doing so ever since.
This is the first in the series & establishes the characters & basic themes. In many ways these books
For me the character of Eilonwy was always my favorite - probably in part because she's a girl & little girls need other girls to identify with in their books. When I was growing up girls like Eilonwy were few & far between in kids' books. She wasn't fluffy or dithering. She didn't a boy to rescue her, although she wasn't too proud to be rescued if need be. She was smart & interesting & independent & self-confident & competent. I identified with that (still do).
This is a great start to a great series. It was nice to re-visit Prydain.
This is the first in the series & establishes the characters & basic themes. In many ways these books
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are all about the hero's journey, but not just for the main character, Taran. Each person here is, in his or her own way, walking the path towards self-discovery.For me the character of Eilonwy was always my favorite - probably in part because she's a girl & little girls need other girls to identify with in their books. When I was growing up girls like Eilonwy were few & far between in kids' books. She wasn't fluffy or dithering. She didn't a boy to rescue her, although she wasn't too proud to be rescued if need be. She was smart & interesting & independent & self-confident & competent. I identified with that (still do).
This is a great start to a great series. It was nice to re-visit Prydain.
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LibraryThing member alana_leigh
Whenever I'm at my parents' home, surrounded by the books of my childhood, I will inevitably pick one up and read. (Especially when I'm supposed to be doing things like reading serious book club books or writing business school application essays.) This time, I selected the first of Lloyd
The basic plot should seem quite familiar: a peaceful land threatened by evil and the people who must band together to save it. It's the telling of the story that really makes it unique, though.The Prydain Chronicles consist of five books with an epic fantasy storyline, heavily modeled upon Welsh lore. The first book in the series is The Book of Three, where we are introduced to our key players and get our first taste of the threat to Prydain. The dark lord Arawn is mustering forces in his kingdom of Annuvin, led by his champion the Horned King. For years the Sons of Don, who rule Prydain, have kept Arawn in check, but nevertheless, Arawn appears to be making movements to start a war.
Taran is a young man, hungry for adventure and excitement, though he spends his days working on the farm of Caer Dallben. Of course, it isn't quite a normal farm -- among the animals is Hen Wen (an oracular pig of great fame and importance, though Taran has seen no evidence of her powers) and the owner of the farm is Dallben (a scholar and wizard who is over three hundred years old). Still, Taran wishes to learn swordplay and fight like his hero, Prince Gwydion. When he longs for a title and destiny, Coll (a middle aged farmer that is clearly more than he appears to be) names Taran "Assistant Pig Keeper." So when a disturbance causes the animals to flee and Hen Wen to escape, Taran feels responsible and so he runs after her. Almost immediately, Taran discovers that the animals fled because the Horned King is near and Taran becomes injured. He wakes up to find his hero, Prince Gwydion, caring for his injury. Gwydion had been traveling to learn something from Hen Wen, and so he joins Taran in his search for the pig.
As they search, we meet several important characters along the way. Gurgi, a half-animal/half-human creature, tells them that he saw Hen Wen being pursued by the Horned King. After being captured by some of Arawn's fearsome Cauldron-Born (soulless warriors created from the dead), they meet the evil enchantress Queen Achren, who offers Gwydion the chance to join her and with her help, rule Prydain and overthrow Arawn. When he refuses, she throws him and Taran into separate dungeon cells. Taran then meets Princess Eilonwy, a young enchantress of the House of Llyr who is supposed to be learning from her Aunt Achren (though Eilonwy is not convinced that they're related). Eilonwy helps Taran escape and also manages to free "his companion in the other cell," though once they escape and the castle has somehow collapsed, killing everyone still inside (which we later learn is due to Eilonwy's removing a particular sword of power from the castle as they fled), it's discovered that the man Eilonwy rescued from the other cell is not Gwydion. He is Fflewddur Fflam, a king who has given up his kingdom to be an unofficial bard, though he owes his talent to his magic harp, whose strings snap when Fflewddeur bends the truth -- which is quite often. Believing that Gwydion must be dead, Taran takes it upon himself to travel to Caer Dathyl to warn the House of Don, but he is not alone, as Gurgi, Eilonwy and Fflewddur (not to mention Gwydion's very wise horse Melyngar) insist on accompanying him. After a chance meeting with Medwyn, a healer who protects animals, and an encounter with the Fair Folk adds a dwarf named Doli (who cannot turn invisible, unlike the rest of his family, to his intense irritation) to their party, they ultimately must fight and stand against the Horned King.
Not to worry -- we're just at the beginning of the story, so all ends well (Hen Wen is found! Gwydion isn't dead! The Horned King is defeated!), but it's clear that there is real danger afoot that will enter into future books. I challenge you to try and not fall in love with Taran, a very real young man with a good heart who gets the adventure he wants, yet still comes to understand the importance of home and peace. He learns and matures through lots of errors, but is also capable of making the right decision in the face of pressure. He ultimately prevails in this first challenge with the help of his traveling companions. As with all Lloyd Alexander novels, the best part is the sense of comedy and whimsy. Eilonwy talks a great deal and is quick to take Taran down a few notches whenever he's too uptight. As a princess with red-gold hair, it's not hard to understand why this redhead always loved her, but she is a charming and outspoken girl, an excellent role model for young ladies, as she never shies away from a fight and always speaks her mind. Fflewddeur is charming as he repeatedly exaggerates, causing harp strings to snap. And Gurgi, well... Gurgi is a bit annoying, but he means well, so the reader, like Taran, ultimately decides that Gurgi isn't so bad.
As a kid, I loved these books. They're notable in my past as being responsible for my first (and only) request for an extension on a paper. In sixth grade, I asked for a single day extension on a book report, which was granted, as I was writing about the whole series and not just one book. I rather wish I still had that paper, as I'd be curious to read my initial impressions. I'm sure it touched on my elementary understanding of Welsh mythology, but I seem to remember a lot of summarizing of the books... kind of similar to this. Hm.
So if you know a young reader aged 10-12 and they're not quite ready for Tolkien or other, similar fantasy novels, you might point them in Alexander's direction. A bit of a warning for the kiddies, though: there's frequent violence and people do get hurt. Also a word of warning to parents: if you buy the first book, you might as well just buy the whole series for your kid, as s/he will certainly want to keep reading about Taran, Eilonwy, and their friends. When they've finished those, you can then start buying the rest of Alexander's oeuvre. He wrote many gems (my favorite series being, of course, the Vesper Holly books) and frequently played with mythology. He's a funny and charming writer and whether the reader is young or old, I think everyone can find something compelling and delightful about this series.
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Alexander's Prydain Chronicles: The Book of Three. If you haven't read Lloyd Alexander at all, then I feel terribly sorry for your sad and empty childhood.The basic plot should seem quite familiar: a peaceful land threatened by evil and the people who must band together to save it. It's the telling of the story that really makes it unique, though.The Prydain Chronicles consist of five books with an epic fantasy storyline, heavily modeled upon Welsh lore. The first book in the series is The Book of Three, where we are introduced to our key players and get our first taste of the threat to Prydain. The dark lord Arawn is mustering forces in his kingdom of Annuvin, led by his champion the Horned King. For years the Sons of Don, who rule Prydain, have kept Arawn in check, but nevertheless, Arawn appears to be making movements to start a war.
Taran is a young man, hungry for adventure and excitement, though he spends his days working on the farm of Caer Dallben. Of course, it isn't quite a normal farm -- among the animals is Hen Wen (an oracular pig of great fame and importance, though Taran has seen no evidence of her powers) and the owner of the farm is Dallben (a scholar and wizard who is over three hundred years old). Still, Taran wishes to learn swordplay and fight like his hero, Prince Gwydion. When he longs for a title and destiny, Coll (a middle aged farmer that is clearly more than he appears to be) names Taran "Assistant Pig Keeper." So when a disturbance causes the animals to flee and Hen Wen to escape, Taran feels responsible and so he runs after her. Almost immediately, Taran discovers that the animals fled because the Horned King is near and Taran becomes injured. He wakes up to find his hero, Prince Gwydion, caring for his injury. Gwydion had been traveling to learn something from Hen Wen, and so he joins Taran in his search for the pig.
As they search, we meet several important characters along the way. Gurgi, a half-animal/half-human creature, tells them that he saw Hen Wen being pursued by the Horned King. After being captured by some of Arawn's fearsome Cauldron-Born (soulless warriors created from the dead), they meet the evil enchantress Queen Achren, who offers Gwydion the chance to join her and with her help, rule Prydain and overthrow Arawn. When he refuses, she throws him and Taran into separate dungeon cells. Taran then meets Princess Eilonwy, a young enchantress of the House of Llyr who is supposed to be learning from her Aunt Achren (though Eilonwy is not convinced that they're related). Eilonwy helps Taran escape and also manages to free "his companion in the other cell," though once they escape and the castle has somehow collapsed, killing everyone still inside (which we later learn is due to Eilonwy's removing a particular sword of power from the castle as they fled), it's discovered that the man Eilonwy rescued from the other cell is not Gwydion. He is Fflewddur Fflam, a king who has given up his kingdom to be an unofficial bard, though he owes his talent to his magic harp, whose strings snap when Fflewddeur bends the truth -- which is quite often. Believing that Gwydion must be dead, Taran takes it upon himself to travel to Caer Dathyl to warn the House of Don, but he is not alone, as Gurgi, Eilonwy and Fflewddur (not to mention Gwydion's very wise horse Melyngar) insist on accompanying him. After a chance meeting with Medwyn, a healer who protects animals, and an encounter with the Fair Folk adds a dwarf named Doli (who cannot turn invisible, unlike the rest of his family, to his intense irritation) to their party, they ultimately must fight and stand against the Horned King.
Not to worry -- we're just at the beginning of the story, so all ends well (Hen Wen is found! Gwydion isn't dead! The Horned King is defeated!), but it's clear that there is real danger afoot that will enter into future books. I challenge you to try and not fall in love with Taran, a very real young man with a good heart who gets the adventure he wants, yet still comes to understand the importance of home and peace. He learns and matures through lots of errors, but is also capable of making the right decision in the face of pressure. He ultimately prevails in this first challenge with the help of his traveling companions. As with all Lloyd Alexander novels, the best part is the sense of comedy and whimsy. Eilonwy talks a great deal and is quick to take Taran down a few notches whenever he's too uptight. As a princess with red-gold hair, it's not hard to understand why this redhead always loved her, but she is a charming and outspoken girl, an excellent role model for young ladies, as she never shies away from a fight and always speaks her mind. Fflewddeur is charming as he repeatedly exaggerates, causing harp strings to snap. And Gurgi, well... Gurgi is a bit annoying, but he means well, so the reader, like Taran, ultimately decides that Gurgi isn't so bad.
As a kid, I loved these books. They're notable in my past as being responsible for my first (and only) request for an extension on a paper. In sixth grade, I asked for a single day extension on a book report, which was granted, as I was writing about the whole series and not just one book. I rather wish I still had that paper, as I'd be curious to read my initial impressions. I'm sure it touched on my elementary understanding of Welsh mythology, but I seem to remember a lot of summarizing of the books... kind of similar to this. Hm.
So if you know a young reader aged 10-12 and they're not quite ready for Tolkien or other, similar fantasy novels, you might point them in Alexander's direction. A bit of a warning for the kiddies, though: there's frequent violence and people do get hurt. Also a word of warning to parents: if you buy the first book, you might as well just buy the whole series for your kid, as s/he will certainly want to keep reading about Taran, Eilonwy, and their friends. When they've finished those, you can then start buying the rest of Alexander's oeuvre. He wrote many gems (my favorite series being, of course, the Vesper Holly books) and frequently played with mythology. He's a funny and charming writer and whether the reader is young or old, I think everyone can find something compelling and delightful about this series.
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LibraryThing member MeditationesMartini
Lloyd Alexander's Prydain saga is one of those post-/sub-Tolkien fantasy series that thrills you as a nerdy child and then you don't revisit it for twenty years because of a queasy feeling that it will turn out banal and embarrassing like childhood things have a way of doing. But Lloyd's not, like,
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Terry Brooks, right? The Welsh-inflected milieu and ensemble cast of Prydain had a certain Silver Age charm? (They won a Newbery award, come on!) Anyway, I have embarked upon a five-volume journey back through the mists to reevaluate Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and colleagues. And so far so good--the world is sketched broad with room later to dig deeper; the villains are credibly menacing and the skinofteeth contingency of our escapes feels convincing; every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. Taran pisses me off the way you're supposed to identify with him all Gary Stu-like but then he's all bossy and dyspeptic and reinscribing the patriarchy telling everyone how he's going to lose patience with their wacky antics like an eight-year-old nerd who doesn't get why the other characters keep teasing him because he says things like "I disagree with your premise". And as for the others, said antics have a swiper-quit-swiping, here-we-go-again TV quality ("GUR-gi!") that reminds you how low the expectations the grup world places on children for comprehending sophisticated narrative and ultimately how the poor kids get encouraged to be kind of lame and it serves the machine blah blah blah. But yeah, okay, this is a sturdy if somewhat plain and occasionally unfortunate framework upon which for a mythos to rise and mature. Show Less
LibraryThing member StormRaven
This book kicks off Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series. The hero is Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who dreams of adventure despite the admonitions of his wiser guardians Dallben and Coll. When Hen Wen, the oracular pig Taran takes care of, escapes, Taran goes off to find her and prevent her
In short, Taran is about as inept at being a hero as one would expect a farm boy to be. Despite this (or rather, because of this), Taran is an endearing and engaging character. You root for him the whole way. Although the Chronicles are written for young readers, they are among my favorite books, and probably my favorite fantasy series.
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being captured by the Horned King, servant of the evil Arawn. On the way, Taran meets the prince Gwydion, the beast Gurgi, gets captured by the evil sorceress Aachren, escapes with the help of the princess Eilonwy and the bard Fflewddur Fflam, finds a magical sword named Dyrnwyn he can't use, wanders into a valley reserved for animals, stumbles into the hidden home of the fair folk, and finally tries (and fails) to use Dyrnwyn and misses the climacitc battle of the book.In short, Taran is about as inept at being a hero as one would expect a farm boy to be. Despite this (or rather, because of this), Taran is an endearing and engaging character. You root for him the whole way. Although the Chronicles are written for young readers, they are among my favorite books, and probably my favorite fantasy series.
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LibraryThing member michelleknudsen
I thought I had read this book before, but almost nothing seemed familiar and I’m wondering now if I ever made it all the way through. In any case, I found it somewhat disappointing, especially considering the reputation of the author and the series. It was engaging enough, but I had trouble
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liking the protagonist and found it strange that Taran does not really solve his own problems. He perseveres throughout, but usually ends up succeeding through luck or someone else’s efforts. I suppose he does succeed in changing his perspective and manages to grow as a person, but I felt that he should have had a more direct hand in the final showdown with the Horned King. Unless I’m missing the whole point, which may be that he succeeds because he perseveres, and it is through his actions that his companions’ actions become possible? And that his acceptance of this role is more significant than if he had actually been able to figure out everything for himself? Show Less
LibraryThing member tiamatq
Taran, assistant pig keeper, wants nothing more than to leave the dull life of Caer Dallben and pursue the life of a hero. When the wicked Horned King and his troops enter the forest surrounding Caer Dallben, HenWen, an oracular pig, flees from her pen. Taran chases after her and is thrown into the
Lloyd Alexander’s first installment in the Prydain series is a fast-paced adventure that is set in Welsh mythology. While readers who are not familiar with these myths may feel that the setting is passing by in something of a blur, the characters will ground them in the story. Taran is almost immediately thrust into the adventure he dreams of and he tries his best to act the hero. However, Alexander’s humor makes Taran much more realistic; he bumbles through much of the journey, often waxing poetic until Eilonwy brings him back to reality with her sharp wit. The language is both beautiful, such as when Alexander describes the valley of Medywn, and comical, such as when Fflewddur Fflam brags of his bravery and adventure. Readers will be eager to continue the series after finishing this book.
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life of adventure he always dreamed of. During his travels, he meets the headstrong princess Eilonwy, the bard Fflewddur Fflam and his magic harp, and the loyal Gurgi. The small band of characters must journey to Caer Dathyl to warn against the impending attack by the Horned King. This is the first book in the Prydain series.Lloyd Alexander’s first installment in the Prydain series is a fast-paced adventure that is set in Welsh mythology. While readers who are not familiar with these myths may feel that the setting is passing by in something of a blur, the characters will ground them in the story. Taran is almost immediately thrust into the adventure he dreams of and he tries his best to act the hero. However, Alexander’s humor makes Taran much more realistic; he bumbles through much of the journey, often waxing poetic until Eilonwy brings him back to reality with her sharp wit. The language is both beautiful, such as when Alexander describes the valley of Medywn, and comical, such as when Fflewddur Fflam brags of his bravery and adventure. Readers will be eager to continue the series after finishing this book.
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LibraryThing member atheist_goat
This is my take on the entire Chronicles of Prydain and may contain spoilers.
So, I devoured these as a child - except for Taran Wanderer, which went soooo slowly that I remember thinking I would never, ever, finish it - and re-read the series in my thirties. Still good fun, still believe that The
However, the main flaw in these books, and the reason getting through TW was such a slog, is that the hero is AWFUL. Seriously. I remember finding Taran rather colorless when I was a child, but as an adult reader I just want to smack him. He spends the first two books whining, "I want to fiiiiight I want to fiiiiiight LET ME BE A MAN WAAAA," and the next three intoning stuff like, "Yea, when I was a mere lad I too believed that battle contains glory but lo, it contains far more of grief," and frankly the whining is less irritating. I couldn't stand TW because it's nothing but him, gaining Wisdom and Sadness and Smugness, and none of the lovable secondary characters appear. (Full disclosure: as an eight-year-old, I was utterly in love with Fflewddur Fflam, and I still find him crush-worthy.)
Also, the character of Eilonwy doesn't age well: yes, she fights next to the men and all that, but I found myself thinking that if she stamped her foot, tossed her hair, and childishly informed her love interest, "I'm not speaking to you anymore!" one more time I would throw the book across the room; and then I encountered that combination of actions about twenty more times. The throwing being a bluff, though, all I could do was twitch.
In conclusion, my findings as an adult: still enjoyable, still populated by some excellent characters, and I still want my own giant mountain lion. But the hero is obnoxious in a major way, and the deaths of so many of the excellent secondary characters is all the more devastating if you're not particularly interested in your hero making it through.
So, I devoured these as a child - except for Taran Wanderer, which went soooo slowly that I remember thinking I would never, ever, finish it - and re-read the series in my thirties. Still good fun, still believe that The
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Castle of Llyr is the strongest: I must have re-read that one weekly at periods in my childhood. However, the main flaw in these books, and the reason getting through TW was such a slog, is that the hero is AWFUL. Seriously. I remember finding Taran rather colorless when I was a child, but as an adult reader I just want to smack him. He spends the first two books whining, "I want to fiiiiight I want to fiiiiiight LET ME BE A MAN WAAAA," and the next three intoning stuff like, "Yea, when I was a mere lad I too believed that battle contains glory but lo, it contains far more of grief," and frankly the whining is less irritating. I couldn't stand TW because it's nothing but him, gaining Wisdom and Sadness and Smugness, and none of the lovable secondary characters appear. (Full disclosure: as an eight-year-old, I was utterly in love with Fflewddur Fflam, and I still find him crush-worthy.)
Also, the character of Eilonwy doesn't age well: yes, she fights next to the men and all that, but I found myself thinking that if she stamped her foot, tossed her hair, and childishly informed her love interest, "I'm not speaking to you anymore!" one more time I would throw the book across the room; and then I encountered that combination of actions about twenty more times. The throwing being a bluff, though, all I could do was twitch.
In conclusion, my findings as an adult: still enjoyable, still populated by some excellent characters, and I still want my own giant mountain lion. But the hero is obnoxious in a major way, and the deaths of so many of the excellent secondary characters is all the more devastating if you're not particularly interested in your hero making it through.
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LibraryThing member g026r
One of the bonuses of being a godparent is that I get to revisit all those books that, as a child, I remember enjoying. (Even if I remember little else of them.) All in the grounds of "research" to figure out whether they'd make appropriate gifts.
The latest I've decided to take a look at is The
So, coming back to it at least two decades later, what are my observations? The first is that the plot really doesn't take any risks, never really deviating from the Tolkien-ish standard so common to much fantasy literature (both children's and older). The second is that Alexander isn't that great of a writer, being fond of lots of exposition to explain everything.
It's enjoyable, though probably not really appropriate until the neice & nephew are older, but I'd hardly call it a great work of art compared to other children's lit I've since re-read.
The latest I've decided to take a look at is The
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Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander. This one falls into the "I'm sure I read it and enjoyed it, it's certainly familiar" category.So, coming back to it at least two decades later, what are my observations? The first is that the plot really doesn't take any risks, never really deviating from the Tolkien-ish standard so common to much fantasy literature (both children's and older). The second is that Alexander isn't that great of a writer, being fond of lots of exposition to explain everything.
It's enjoyable, though probably not really appropriate until the neice & nephew are older, but I'd hardly call it a great work of art compared to other children's lit I've since re-read.
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LibraryThing member saeriellyn
The first book in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain is a delightful and easy-reading introduction to a world and set of characters destined to become cherished friends by the end of the series.
The books center around the coming-of-age story of their young protagonist, Taran, an assistant
Although the themes of the book (and the sequels) run deep, the author isn't heavy-handed with them. The stories are peppered with a cast of colorful, delightful characters and clearly defined villains in the best fantasy tradition. Whether comic relief, foils, future love interest, or role models, they all serve the central purpose of drawing out the qualities in Taran that will goad him on to discovering his own identity, purpose, and destiny. I have many friends who are fans of the series, and each person has a different "favorite character" - which simply illustrates Mr. Alexander's skill in capturing the various archetypes that we all identify with.
Classic fantasy, deserves to be far more popular than it is. Although geared toward the 9-to-14 set, I know more adults who read them annually than kids, who nowadays seem to gravitate toward more gratuitous fare. Pity.
Point of interest: A reading of the Welsh mythology that inspired these tales will impress those interested with the amount of research the author did, and how often he inserts both obvious and hidden references to the myths in these stories. Even a quick overview will add to one's understanding and enjoyment of the richness of Alexander's Prydain.
The books center around the coming-of-age story of their young protagonist, Taran, an assistant
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pig-keeper who dreams of glory and heroic adventures. Idealistic, self-centered, and impulsive, he is accidentally thrown into a perilous, high-stakes adventure, and begins the long process of learning what heroism and maturity are really all about. Although the themes of the book (and the sequels) run deep, the author isn't heavy-handed with them. The stories are peppered with a cast of colorful, delightful characters and clearly defined villains in the best fantasy tradition. Whether comic relief, foils, future love interest, or role models, they all serve the central purpose of drawing out the qualities in Taran that will goad him on to discovering his own identity, purpose, and destiny. I have many friends who are fans of the series, and each person has a different "favorite character" - which simply illustrates Mr. Alexander's skill in capturing the various archetypes that we all identify with.
Classic fantasy, deserves to be far more popular than it is. Although geared toward the 9-to-14 set, I know more adults who read them annually than kids, who nowadays seem to gravitate toward more gratuitous fare. Pity.
Point of interest: A reading of the Welsh mythology that inspired these tales will impress those interested with the amount of research the author did, and how often he inserts both obvious and hidden references to the myths in these stories. Even a quick overview will add to one's understanding and enjoyment of the richness of Alexander's Prydain.
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LibraryThing member Matke
A superior fantasy for children, which is equally enjoyable for adults. A fairly gripping plot laced with plenty of humor, and engaging characters keep the reader entertained but not over-taxed. The story is a mix of Welsh mythology and Alexander's imagination. Highly recommended, especially for
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
I had to quit reading this, but I want to be fair. I think I was the wrong audience for it. I kept comparing it to The Lord of the Rings, because it truly did seem a knock off of it, and it couldn't hold up to that. I have a niece who loves these books and will be glad to get them, but I have too
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many good books to get to to be patient with some which I consider mediocre. I have really enjoyed some of Lloyd Alexander's other books. Show Less
LibraryThing member rbtwinky
I was disappointed by this book. I knew that it was a "children's" book, but I was expecting something more than a simple parable. The message of the story was fine, but Alexander could have acheived as much in a short story. The richness of the Welsh mythology, which was supposed to be heavy in
I'm sure it's something children, especially young boys, would enjoy, but I don't suggest it for adults.
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this story, I found superficial and flat. I wanted to get to know those otherwordly creatures, not just get introduced to them and see them through the eyes of a young boy.I'm sure it's something children, especially young boys, would enjoy, but I don't suggest it for adults.
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LibraryThing member sumik
The first book of the Chronicles of Prydain - humor, adventure, magic, talking pigs - what more could you ask?
LibraryThing member EmScape
This adolescent fantasy adventure novel features Taran, a young Assistant Pig-Keeper who dreams of glory, adventure and heroism. When an evil king threatens his kingdom and his Pig goes missing, he finds out what it truly means to be a hero. His companions on his quest to find the Pig are Eilonwy,
The writing is straightforward and suspenseful, with a good amount of peril and magic. The Welsh-sounding names are sometimes difficult to pronounce, and it’s frequently confusing what gender a person is. I would recommend this for fans of the Chronicles of Narnia and other fantasy series for young people.
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a remarkable and feisty young lady; Fflewddur, a bard whose harp has some very interesting properties, and Gurgi. I’m not sure what Gurgi is exactly, not quite animal, not quite human, but very funny and extremely valuable to have around. The writing is straightforward and suspenseful, with a good amount of peril and magic. The Welsh-sounding names are sometimes difficult to pronounce, and it’s frequently confusing what gender a person is. I would recommend this for fans of the Chronicles of Narnia and other fantasy series for young people.
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LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
Based on Welsh mythology, this book tells the tale of Taran, the lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper, who gets wrapped up in a quest to stop the Great Horned King from destroying the land of Prydain. Accompanied by a rugged band of compatriots, including a displaced princess, an exagerating unofficial bard,
LOVED this book. I'm so sad that I didn't have it when I was 12 years old. I loved it now, I would have adored it then. The action starts from the very beginning and doesn't let up. Although it's an involved fantasy, the short chapters make the reading a bit easier. Alexander has created a beloved and immortal world and I'm so happy that I've finally discovered it. Highly recommended for fantasy fans and those waiting for the big HP. ;)
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and a wolf man, Taran feels that every decision he makes on the journey is the wrong one... Does the rugged band have what it takes to stop the evil spreading over the land? LOVED this book. I'm so sad that I didn't have it when I was 12 years old. I loved it now, I would have adored it then. The action starts from the very beginning and doesn't let up. Although it's an involved fantasy, the short chapters make the reading a bit easier. Alexander has created a beloved and immortal world and I'm so happy that I've finally discovered it. Highly recommended for fantasy fans and those waiting for the big HP. ;)
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LibraryThing member atimco
Lloyd Alexander was one of the patron saints of my reading youth, and I don't know how many times I checked out the Prydain Chronicles from our local library. The Book of Three is the first in the series and introduces the main characters: Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper; Eilonwy, princess; Fflewddur
Taran, an orphan under the care of the wise enchanter Dallben, is discontent with his quiet lot taking care of the oracular pig Hen-Wen. But when Hen senses a malevolent evil and flees, Taran must find her and soon meets enough adventure and danger to satisfy even the most restless of Assistant Pig-Keepers. Along the way he meets the feisty Eilonwy, smelly Gurgi, and (mostly) honest Fflewddur — all old friends of mine.
Reading it now, I see how deeply Alexander was influenced by Tolkien. Gurgi = a friendly-fied Gollum, Gwydion = Aragorn, Arawn = Sauron, Cauldron-Born = Ringwraiths, etc. More in the second book than the first there's the concept of a single evil weapon that will ensure the Dark Lord's success and can only be destroyed at great personal cost. But there's so much that's different, too, drawing on the rich legendarium of Welsh mythology.
A small quibble, but one only strengthened by this mature reread: right in the first chapter, Dallben's detailed discourse to Taran explaining the Book of Three is awkwardly inserted. Yes, we need to know the info, but the occasion for such a clear info-dump is not convincing. I remember thinking before how awkwardly it was done, and this reread only confirmed it. Thankfully, there are no more such missteps in the rest of the series. So strange that it would land in the first chapter, which is usually given such intense editorial scrutiny.
Besides that one qualm, I love this book. The action is engaging, the characters well rounded, the humor funny, the stakes high. The Book of the Three is a classic young adult fantasy tale that opens a series of equal quality. I can't wait for my children to experience it the first time!
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Fflam, bard and sometime king; Gurgi, nondescript talking creature; and Gwydion, noble prince and warrior. Taran, an orphan under the care of the wise enchanter Dallben, is discontent with his quiet lot taking care of the oracular pig Hen-Wen. But when Hen senses a malevolent evil and flees, Taran must find her and soon meets enough adventure and danger to satisfy even the most restless of Assistant Pig-Keepers. Along the way he meets the feisty Eilonwy, smelly Gurgi, and (mostly) honest Fflewddur — all old friends of mine.
Reading it now, I see how deeply Alexander was influenced by Tolkien. Gurgi = a friendly-fied Gollum, Gwydion = Aragorn, Arawn = Sauron, Cauldron-Born = Ringwraiths, etc. More in the second book than the first there's the concept of a single evil weapon that will ensure the Dark Lord's success and can only be destroyed at great personal cost. But there's so much that's different, too, drawing on the rich legendarium of Welsh mythology.
A small quibble, but one only strengthened by this mature reread: right in the first chapter, Dallben's detailed discourse to Taran explaining the Book of Three is awkwardly inserted. Yes, we need to know the info, but the occasion for such a clear info-dump is not convincing. I remember thinking before how awkwardly it was done, and this reread only confirmed it. Thankfully, there are no more such missteps in the rest of the series. So strange that it would land in the first chapter, which is usually given such intense editorial scrutiny.
Besides that one qualm, I love this book. The action is engaging, the characters well rounded, the humor funny, the stakes high. The Book of the Three is a classic young adult fantasy tale that opens a series of equal quality. I can't wait for my children to experience it the first time!
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LibraryThing member CeridwynR
I loved these as a kid, but he writes outlines of myth not story. And I had to work not to be offended at how much he steals (and how badly it's been warped) from the Mabinogion.
LibraryThing member PollyMoore3
Delightful fantasy series based on old Welsh tales, very humorous but also handles serious themes and can make you cry too.
LibraryThing member bintarab
The whole Chronicles of Prydain series is well-written, imaginative, and was my introduction as a kid to a lifetime love of fantasy fiction. These books tackle large philosophical issues like bullying, the nature of heroism, social responsibility, altruism, and good vs. evil.
Appropriate for
Appropriate for
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middle-schoolers or even 5th and 6th graders. Show Less
LibraryThing member The_Hibernator
The Book of Three is the first book in the Chronicles of Prydain (which the movie The Black Cauldron was based on). It was a very light, cute children’s fantasy similar to Narnia or a children’s version of Tolkien’s works. In it the hero, Taran the Assistant Pig Keeper, has to leave home for
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the first time in quest of his roaming oracular pig. While abroad, he has many adventures and meets important and interesting people. Show Less
LibraryThing member NogDog
A fun read, but a bit too simplistic and formulaic. (To be fair, though, some of those formulas may have been originated by this series.) For some reason I got really annoyed by the author using "cried" all the time in dialogue attributions, e.g: "'What are you doing!' he cried."
LibraryThing member KarenLeeField
I borrowed this book from the library. What a gem! I am a kid at heart and love easy to read, adventure-filled, "good" stories. It wasn't until much later that I discovered this book was actually written in the 1950s. Who would have known? Not I. It felt modern and fresh to me.
I loved the
The plot was entertaining with its evil twists and turns. The world, the scenery, the storyline and the characters fit together like a well-worn glove. Honestly, I loved reading this book and recommend all young at heart read it.
I loved the
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characters. They felt whole and real. They complimented each other. Each had their quirks, which made them stand out and enjoyable.The plot was entertaining with its evil twists and turns. The world, the scenery, the storyline and the characters fit together like a well-worn glove. Honestly, I loved reading this book and recommend all young at heart read it.
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LibraryThing member theokester
I have only the vaguest memories of reading The Book of Three as a young boy. I remember thinking the names were strange but the adventure was fun. I also remember intending to read the entire Chronicles of Prydain Series but getting distracted with something else and never continuing on. So, with
The edition I read included an introduction which very interestingly informed me that a lot of this story is based on Welsh mythology…which peaked my interest and made me read it in a new light.
One thing that became quickly apparent as I read was that this book is certainly written to be accessible to a younger audience. The language and interactions are simple and easy to follow as opposed to some of the intensely detailed and convoluted plots and threads often found in weightier fantasy novels.
Taran is a fun, headstrong young character who somehow makes it through this adventure seemingly due more to his good luck than due to any overarching skill. The other characters he meets along the way are creative and a lot of fun to get to know. I really loved the distinctive and quirky nature of each of the characters that joins Taran on his quest.
Generally speaking, I felt like the simple language and plot helped to strengthen the story by distancing itself from the heavy baggage that is frequently found in the fantasy genre. However, there were a number of elements that I wanted to see developed a little more fully.
Most notably in my mind is the titular "Book of Three." As I finished reading the book, my son asked me "What is the Book of Three." As I explained it's relevance in the story, he asked my why it was the title of the book if it had as little to do with the plot as it does. I wondered that myself as I read and kept expecting the book to make a reappearance further into the story. The title of the novel made me expect the Book of Three to have pivotal impact. Instead, it sat on the periphery more as an educational opportunity for Taran. Other elements also felt a little weakly formed and left me wanting more. I hope and suspect that some of these smaller threads may make larger appearances later in the series.
After reading this novel, I feel bad that I gave up on it as a young child. It is a lot of fun and is full of nice adventure with a relatable central character (especially relatable to kids who "know everything" but feel like they never have a chance to prove it *grin*). If you've never ventured into Prydain, I'd say it's a worthwhile trip. Come into it acknowledging that it's a children's series (and thus not as heavy as Tolkien or other fantasy staples) and you'll find a lighthearted adventure with more depth than you might expect.
****
4 out of 5 stars
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both a sense of nostalgia and a desire to discover this classic series, I picked up and jumped into the series.The edition I read included an introduction which very interestingly informed me that a lot of this story is based on Welsh mythology…which peaked my interest and made me read it in a new light.
One thing that became quickly apparent as I read was that this book is certainly written to be accessible to a younger audience. The language and interactions are simple and easy to follow as opposed to some of the intensely detailed and convoluted plots and threads often found in weightier fantasy novels.
Taran is a fun, headstrong young character who somehow makes it through this adventure seemingly due more to his good luck than due to any overarching skill. The other characters he meets along the way are creative and a lot of fun to get to know. I really loved the distinctive and quirky nature of each of the characters that joins Taran on his quest.
Generally speaking, I felt like the simple language and plot helped to strengthen the story by distancing itself from the heavy baggage that is frequently found in the fantasy genre. However, there were a number of elements that I wanted to see developed a little more fully.
Most notably in my mind is the titular "Book of Three." As I finished reading the book, my son asked me "What is the Book of Three." As I explained it's relevance in the story, he asked my why it was the title of the book if it had as little to do with the plot as it does. I wondered that myself as I read and kept expecting the book to make a reappearance further into the story. The title of the novel made me expect the Book of Three to have pivotal impact. Instead, it sat on the periphery more as an educational opportunity for Taran. Other elements also felt a little weakly formed and left me wanting more. I hope and suspect that some of these smaller threads may make larger appearances later in the series.
After reading this novel, I feel bad that I gave up on it as a young child. It is a lot of fun and is full of nice adventure with a relatable central character (especially relatable to kids who "know everything" but feel like they never have a chance to prove it *grin*). If you've never ventured into Prydain, I'd say it's a worthwhile trip. Come into it acknowledging that it's a children's series (and thus not as heavy as Tolkien or other fantasy staples) and you'll find a lighthearted adventure with more depth than you might expect.
****
4 out of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member JechtShot
The Chronicles of Prydain is a series that somehow managed to escape my attention as a child. This wonderful young adult novel captures all of the elements of a fantasy adventure story: The young farm boy seeking adventure, an exuberant princess, a bard, knights, magical creatures and of course a
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mysterious villain. The story was delightfully predictable but served its purpose as you followed the tale from the farm to battle and back. Show Less
LibraryThing member jshillingford
Before David Eddings gave us "the Belgariad," Lloyd Alexander gave us The Prydain Chronicles. It is a toss up on which series is better. Young adults (and adults!) will love this fantasy epic, about a young boy embarking on a perilous journey to save his world, and a miraculous pig!
Awards
Pages
224
ISBN
0440407028 / 9780440407027