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The Chronicles of Prydain #1-5
The Chronicles of Prydain
Millions of young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his lively companions as they journey through the magical land of Prydain. First published more than thirty years ago and translated into twenty different languages, Lloyd Alexander's beloved series has become the standard of excellence in fantasy literature for children. Among their many accolades, the award-winning Chronicles of Prydain count a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor, and more than two million copies in print.
1104 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 1989
About the author
Lloyd Alexander
122 books2,046 followersLloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series,
The High King
, was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
December 28, 2021
The Book of Three 3/5
An ill-mannered farm boy named Taran dreams of being a hero, but he knows he's not cut out for that sort of life. He can barely manage to properly supervise his oracle pig Hen Wen. When his pig goes missing amidst the scene of a great battle, Taran just might have to become a hero whether he's cut out for it or not. Meeting unlikely companions along the way including the heroic Prince Gwydion and the sassy Princess Eilonwy, Taran finds himself wrapped up in a battle against the Death Lord Arawn and his legion of evil beasts while searching for Hen Wen.
The pacing is messy and a lot of characters and plot points come off as underwhelming and anticlimactic, but all in all it’s a fun little fantasy adventure with nonstop action and a bit of slapstick humor. I didn’t like Taran and his companions at first, but I think they have a lot of potential to grow on me in future installments. The books are short and easy to read so I’m willing to go through them. Hoping for a fun ride.
***
The Black Cauldron 4/5
Taran and his newfound companions find themselves locked in a battle against the lord of the Land of Death Arawn and his legions of evil creatures. Taran and his crew seek to weaken Arawn's forces by stealing his cauldron which he uses to empower his army. Their struggles are intensified when they encounter three wicked enchantresses that seek to put a wrench in their plans.
Better than the first book in every way. Darker subject matter, nastier villains, stronger plot and character development and so on. The pacing is much more smooth while still maintaining its fast, action-packed style.
The stakes felt higher, the scope of the world felt bigger and the humor felt more natural. Taran and his crew grew on me in this book, I see a lot of potential in the misfit leader and his comrades. I think he’ll grow into a fine hero.
***
The Castle of Llyr 4/5
Eilonwy reluctantly returns home where she's to be taught how to be a proper lady and Taran and the crew serve as her guides. Things don't go according to plan however, as someone dangerous is waiting for them in Eilonwy's homeland. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly assistant pig-keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?
This was my favorite book in the series so far. The plot is a bit weaker than The Black Cauldron, but I think the personal growth and humanization of the characters is stronger than ever. I loved the emphasis on the fact that titles and status were stated as unimportant.
Taran was born into nothing and Rhun was born into royalty, and yet they both find equality and companionship after placing their lives in each other’s hands during a dangerous expedition to save a girl they both love from the clutches of an evil sorceress. Whether you be a farmer or a prince, all mens fates are connected in some way and there’s always room to set aside your differences and see eye to eye.
***
Taran Wanderer 4/5
Struggling to find a sense of purpose in the world, Taran separates from his crew to do a bit of soul searching. He searches for his noble or common lineage in the eastern regions of Prydain, far from both the realm and forces of Arawn and the demesne of the High King. Along the way, he meets many people, learns new skills and crafts, and confronts some rough characters.
The direction of the plot had trouble catching my attention at first, but the entire second half of the book was the best material that I’ve gotten to experience from this series by far. Compared to the last three books, it was incredibly mature and full of complex human emotions. I was fascinated to watch Taran become a man and win over my respect after having mixed feelings about him for so long. I thought he was a terrible character when the series first started, yet now he’s someone I can look up to with genuine respect and sympathy.
From unlikable brat to honorable warrior, a boy that has outgrown his insecurities regarding his low status and unknown origins and learned to accept himself for what he is. Taran is all grown up and he’s destined to accomplish great things. I feel like every book in this series has been much better than the last, I hope that the fifth and final installment will blow me away even more than this one.
***
The High King 5/5
The final battle against Arawn and his forces of evil has come. A climactic battle is fought and Taran's identity as heir to the throne is finally revealed. At the end of it all, Taran is faced with a heartbreaking decision that will change his life and the entire world as he knows it.
What a fantastic conclusion. I started off somewhat unimpressed after reading The Book of Three, but each book ended up being much better than the previous one. And just as I was hoping, the final book was the best of the bunch and it made reading the series from beginning to end feel worth it. A perfect balance of humour and sorrow against a backdrop of dangerous adventure and subtle character growth.
What really impressed me in the finale is how much I ended up liking Taran. I hated him in the first book. He was a rude, whiny little runt and a bumbling fool. He grew slowly but surely with each book and became a truly respectable man in this one. He became a strong and charismatic leader, a man that values his companions more than his own status, a man that would sacrifice his own chance at happiness if it meant giving a better life to the ones he loves. The final chapter was incredibly heartwarming, showing how Taran's companions have changed him in the best ways possible.
An ill-mannered farm boy named Taran dreams of being a hero, but he knows he's not cut out for that sort of life. He can barely manage to properly supervise his oracle pig Hen Wen. When his pig goes missing amidst the scene of a great battle, Taran just might have to become a hero whether he's cut out for it or not. Meeting unlikely companions along the way including the heroic Prince Gwydion and the sassy Princess Eilonwy, Taran finds himself wrapped up in a battle against the Death Lord Arawn and his legion of evil beasts while searching for Hen Wen.
The pacing is messy and a lot of characters and plot points come off as underwhelming and anticlimactic, but all in all it’s a fun little fantasy adventure with nonstop action and a bit of slapstick humor. I didn’t like Taran and his companions at first, but I think they have a lot of potential to grow on me in future installments. The books are short and easy to read so I’m willing to go through them. Hoping for a fun ride.
***
The Black Cauldron 4/5
Taran and his newfound companions find themselves locked in a battle against the lord of the Land of Death Arawn and his legions of evil creatures. Taran and his crew seek to weaken Arawn's forces by stealing his cauldron which he uses to empower his army. Their struggles are intensified when they encounter three wicked enchantresses that seek to put a wrench in their plans.
Better than the first book in every way. Darker subject matter, nastier villains, stronger plot and character development and so on. The pacing is much more smooth while still maintaining its fast, action-packed style.
The stakes felt higher, the scope of the world felt bigger and the humor felt more natural. Taran and his crew grew on me in this book, I see a lot of potential in the misfit leader and his comrades. I think he’ll grow into a fine hero.
***
The Castle of Llyr 4/5
Eilonwy reluctantly returns home where she's to be taught how to be a proper lady and Taran and the crew serve as her guides. Things don't go according to plan however, as someone dangerous is waiting for them in Eilonwy's homeland. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly assistant pig-keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?
This was my favorite book in the series so far. The plot is a bit weaker than The Black Cauldron, but I think the personal growth and humanization of the characters is stronger than ever. I loved the emphasis on the fact that titles and status were stated as unimportant.
Taran was born into nothing and Rhun was born into royalty, and yet they both find equality and companionship after placing their lives in each other’s hands during a dangerous expedition to save a girl they both love from the clutches of an evil sorceress. Whether you be a farmer or a prince, all mens fates are connected in some way and there’s always room to set aside your differences and see eye to eye.
***
Taran Wanderer 4/5
Struggling to find a sense of purpose in the world, Taran separates from his crew to do a bit of soul searching. He searches for his noble or common lineage in the eastern regions of Prydain, far from both the realm and forces of Arawn and the demesne of the High King. Along the way, he meets many people, learns new skills and crafts, and confronts some rough characters.
The direction of the plot had trouble catching my attention at first, but the entire second half of the book was the best material that I’ve gotten to experience from this series by far. Compared to the last three books, it was incredibly mature and full of complex human emotions. I was fascinated to watch Taran become a man and win over my respect after having mixed feelings about him for so long. I thought he was a terrible character when the series first started, yet now he’s someone I can look up to with genuine respect and sympathy.
From unlikable brat to honorable warrior, a boy that has outgrown his insecurities regarding his low status and unknown origins and learned to accept himself for what he is. Taran is all grown up and he’s destined to accomplish great things. I feel like every book in this series has been much better than the last, I hope that the fifth and final installment will blow me away even more than this one.
***
The High King 5/5
The final battle against Arawn and his forces of evil has come. A climactic battle is fought and Taran's identity as heir to the throne is finally revealed. At the end of it all, Taran is faced with a heartbreaking decision that will change his life and the entire world as he knows it.
What a fantastic conclusion. I started off somewhat unimpressed after reading The Book of Three, but each book ended up being much better than the previous one. And just as I was hoping, the final book was the best of the bunch and it made reading the series from beginning to end feel worth it. A perfect balance of humour and sorrow against a backdrop of dangerous adventure and subtle character growth.
What really impressed me in the finale is how much I ended up liking Taran. I hated him in the first book. He was a rude, whiny little runt and a bumbling fool. He grew slowly but surely with each book and became a truly respectable man in this one. He became a strong and charismatic leader, a man that values his companions more than his own status, a man that would sacrifice his own chance at happiness if it meant giving a better life to the ones he loves. The final chapter was incredibly heartwarming, showing how Taran's companions have changed him in the best ways possible.
April 17, 2017
One of the great fantasy series ever. Notice I didn't say "for children". This series is for everyone, with unforgettable characters (including faithful Gurgi!). What really makes this series is Taran's journey from a hot-headed, stubborn youth to a man fit to be king of Prydain. The most moving scenes of the series are in "Taran Wanderer", when Taran learns that to be a hero with a sword in your hand is no more worthy than to be a blacksmith, weaver or potter. The scenes when Taran finds his long-lost father are genuinely moving, and I cried several times with the mix of joy and anguish that Taran finds when he thinks he's finally solved the mystery of his identity, only to find that getting what you want is a mixed blessing.
What sets Lloyd Alexander apart from other fantasy writers is his humanity: Alexander doesn't glorify highborn heroes nor battle, and he shows Taran as a person who has flaws but is able to acknowledge them and fight against the darker parts of his nature.
And will there be an ultimate showdown with the Big Bad, Arawn, Death-Lord, Master of Annuven? You're damn right.
What sets Lloyd Alexander apart from other fantasy writers is his humanity: Alexander doesn't glorify highborn heroes nor battle, and he shows Taran as a person who has flaws but is able to acknowledge them and fight against the darker parts of his nature.
And will there be an ultimate showdown with the Big Bad, Arawn, Death-Lord, Master of Annuven? You're damn right.
May 2, 2011
Lloyd Alexander's "Chronicles of Prydain" have become a classic staple of fantasy literature, a few rungs below "Lord of the Rings" and a few inches down from "Chronicles of Narnia." In this volume, all six books in his series are brought together, showing all of Prydain's beauty, richness, humor and sorrow as one big book.
"The Book of Three" opens with Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran yearning for adventure -- and getting more than he bargains for when he chases the pig into the woods, and is nearly run down by a sinister horned rider. Soon he teams up with a wandering king-minstrel, a sharp-tongued princess and a furry creature called Gurgi to save Prydain from the power of the Horned King.
"The Black Cauldron" has Taran and the others setting out to destroy Arawn Deathlord's evil cauldron, which turns dead men into unkillable zombies. But other forces are after the cauldron, including three peculiar witches who insist on trading something for the cauldron. What is worse, the company faces treachery from someone in their own camp...
"The Castle of Llyr" ties up some loose ends from the first book, as Princess Eilonwy is sent to the isle of Mona to become a fine lady. But she has barely arrived when she is kidnapped by a minion of the evil enchantress Achren, her "aunt." Taran sets out to save her, but must team up with the young man who wishes to marry Eilonwy -- even though Taran is rapidly falling in love with her.
"Taran Wanderer" has Taran setting out to discover his past, since he feels he can't ask Eilonwy to marry him if he is lowborn. With only Gurgi at his side, he encounters evil wizards, malevolent bandits, and finally learns that his father just might be a shepherd... until a new revelation leads him to learn of his true worth.
"The High King" wraps up the saga, with Taran returning home. But no sooner has he arrived than he learns that noble Prince Gwydion has been half-killed -- and the magical sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by Arawn Deathlord. Now the heroes set out one and for all to attack Arawn's stronghold and get back the sword -- but how can they defeat a deathless army and a shapeshifting enemy?
Finally, "The Foundling" fills in a few of the gaps with short stories that illustrate the backstory of the Prydain novels. Among the stories are the tragic history of Dyrnwyn, how the wizard Dallben was reared by the three witches (and where he got the Book of Three), and the love story of Eilonwy's parents.
Take two parts "Lord of the Rings," add a bit more humor and comedy, and stir in bits and pieces of Welsh mythology. That pretty much sums up the Prydain Chronicles, which is one of the rare series that is meant for kids, but is as rich an experience for adults. Even better, if they know the origins of the old legends and myths that make up the edges of these stories. Alexander populates this little world with evil enchantresses, deathless warriors, eager teenagers and talking crows, all the while coming up with an original storyline that doesn't smack of lifted legends.
In a sense, the whole series is a coming-of-age story, where Taran learns wisdom, maturity, loss and love. Oh yeah, and that that Chinese curse about interesting times is quite correct. Princess Eilonwy and the bard-king Fflewddur Fflam add a bit of comic relief, but they are also strong characters in their own right, as is the fuzzy sidekick Gurgi, who goes from being an annoyance to a loyal and lovable friend.
"The Chronicles of Prydain" are fantasy at its best, mingling myth and legend with a fast-paced plot and endearingly quirky characters. Definitely not something to miss.
"The Book of Three" opens with Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran yearning for adventure -- and getting more than he bargains for when he chases the pig into the woods, and is nearly run down by a sinister horned rider. Soon he teams up with a wandering king-minstrel, a sharp-tongued princess and a furry creature called Gurgi to save Prydain from the power of the Horned King.
"The Black Cauldron" has Taran and the others setting out to destroy Arawn Deathlord's evil cauldron, which turns dead men into unkillable zombies. But other forces are after the cauldron, including three peculiar witches who insist on trading something for the cauldron. What is worse, the company faces treachery from someone in their own camp...
"The Castle of Llyr" ties up some loose ends from the first book, as Princess Eilonwy is sent to the isle of Mona to become a fine lady. But she has barely arrived when she is kidnapped by a minion of the evil enchantress Achren, her "aunt." Taran sets out to save her, but must team up with the young man who wishes to marry Eilonwy -- even though Taran is rapidly falling in love with her.
"Taran Wanderer" has Taran setting out to discover his past, since he feels he can't ask Eilonwy to marry him if he is lowborn. With only Gurgi at his side, he encounters evil wizards, malevolent bandits, and finally learns that his father just might be a shepherd... until a new revelation leads him to learn of his true worth.
"The High King" wraps up the saga, with Taran returning home. But no sooner has he arrived than he learns that noble Prince Gwydion has been half-killed -- and the magical sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by Arawn Deathlord. Now the heroes set out one and for all to attack Arawn's stronghold and get back the sword -- but how can they defeat a deathless army and a shapeshifting enemy?
Finally, "The Foundling" fills in a few of the gaps with short stories that illustrate the backstory of the Prydain novels. Among the stories are the tragic history of Dyrnwyn, how the wizard Dallben was reared by the three witches (and where he got the Book of Three), and the love story of Eilonwy's parents.
Take two parts "Lord of the Rings," add a bit more humor and comedy, and stir in bits and pieces of Welsh mythology. That pretty much sums up the Prydain Chronicles, which is one of the rare series that is meant for kids, but is as rich an experience for adults. Even better, if they know the origins of the old legends and myths that make up the edges of these stories. Alexander populates this little world with evil enchantresses, deathless warriors, eager teenagers and talking crows, all the while coming up with an original storyline that doesn't smack of lifted legends.
In a sense, the whole series is a coming-of-age story, where Taran learns wisdom, maturity, loss and love. Oh yeah, and that that Chinese curse about interesting times is quite correct. Princess Eilonwy and the bard-king Fflewddur Fflam add a bit of comic relief, but they are also strong characters in their own right, as is the fuzzy sidekick Gurgi, who goes from being an annoyance to a loyal and lovable friend.
"The Chronicles of Prydain" are fantasy at its best, mingling myth and legend with a fast-paced plot and endearingly quirky characters. Definitely not something to miss.
February 13, 2016
Terran reread these for his book club, and I had fond memories of reading them as a child, so I picked them up too.
The first three books were charming. I loved the combination of high epic characters and characters designed to mock high epic. The fair folk were particularly entertaining when compared to Tolkien-style epic. You could write a book on Eilonwyn's role as an adventure heroine. She's enormously complex and layered in a collection of characters that aspires to two dimensions.
As the series moves into the final two books, it sheds most of its quirky adventure and becomes a straightforward "Hero comes of age and saves the world," story. THAT doesn't hold up at all. I was bored to tears as we approached the epic climax.
Returning to Eilonwy, who was by far the most interesting character in the series, I wasn't really clear what Alexander was trying to do with her. On one hand, she's unflaggingly determined in the face of a cast of characters who wants to shove her into the proper princess mold for the entire series. By the final book, she's quite a competent fighter. OTOH, none of the characters, even Taran, ever seem to give her much credit for it. They roll their eyes at her inappropriate behavior all the way to the end. Also, through the entire series, she is forced to incrementally give up her enchantress powers without ever really having used them. It's clear in the way that she always flaunts the men's attempts to contain her that *Alexander* believes in her, but it's strange that none of the other characters seem to.
All in all, kind of a disappointing, if thought provoking, romp through a childhood classic.
The first three books were charming. I loved the combination of high epic characters and characters designed to mock high epic. The fair folk were particularly entertaining when compared to Tolkien-style epic. You could write a book on Eilonwyn's role as an adventure heroine. She's enormously complex and layered in a collection of characters that aspires to two dimensions.
As the series moves into the final two books, it sheds most of its quirky adventure and becomes a straightforward "Hero comes of age and saves the world," story. THAT doesn't hold up at all. I was bored to tears as we approached the epic climax.
Returning to Eilonwy, who was by far the most interesting character in the series, I wasn't really clear what Alexander was trying to do with her. On one hand, she's unflaggingly determined in the face of a cast of characters who wants to shove her into the proper princess mold for the entire series. By the final book, she's quite a competent fighter. OTOH, none of the characters, even Taran, ever seem to give her much credit for it. They roll their eyes at her inappropriate behavior all the way to the end. Also, through the entire series, she is forced to incrementally give up her enchantress powers without ever really having used them. It's clear in the way that she always flaunts the men's attempts to contain her that *Alexander* believes in her, but it's strange that none of the other characters seem to.
All in all, kind of a disappointing, if thought provoking, romp through a childhood classic.
April 10, 2016
I received this set of books, I believe, back when I was about 9 or 10 years old. 1984.
While I'd been reading for as long as I could remember (my parents insisted we did, and I thank them for that), these books changed reading from something I was expected to do into something I wanted to do. An appetite that still hasn't been sated.
They tell the story of a young boy's journey into manhood within a world of fantasy and kings and knights. The boy longs to be a hero, but in the course of his trials he becomes that and much more. And we learn those life lessons along with him in stories filled with humor, sadness and adventure.
It's really a tale for boys, but I know many a girl who loves these books just as strongly as I do. The lessons and the adventures are not gender biased.
These books are on my mind now as I've been reading through them for the last couple of days. I'm nearly through the story again. I've read them at least once a year since I've owned them, so this is at least the 26th time I've read them. Why do I read them every year? I don't know...most of the time I don't plan on it. There just comes a point where I feel I need a centering...where I need to have those lessons taught to me again.
To be reminded that who we are is not as important as what we do.
To remember that life isn't something you can prepare for, and how he handle it makes us who we are.
That no matter how bad things can get, good friends and good deeds will pull you through.
It's a bit sad this time though...this is the last time I'll be able to read the copies you see in the image above. They're worn out beyond belief. If I didn't know them by heart, some pieces would be lost already and one practically fell apart in my hands and I read the pages in single sheets once I found their order again.
It will be sad to lose them and buy new copies, but the sentiment isn't in the paper...it's in the memories.
"Most of us are called on to perform tasks far beyond what we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart."
"Child, child, do you not see? For each of us comes a time when we must be more than what we are."
"There are those who must first learn loss, despair, and grief. Of all paths to wisdom, this is the cruelest and longest. Are you one who must follow such a way? This even I cannot know. If you are, take heart nonetheless. Those who reach the end do more than gain wisdom. As rough wool becomes cloth, and crude clay a vessel, so do they change and fashion wisdom for others, and what they give back is greater than what they won."
"Long ago I yearned to be a hero without knowing, in truth, what a hero was. Now, perhaps, I understand it a little better. A grower of turnips or a shaper of clay, a Commot farmer or a king--every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone. Once you told me that the seeking counts more than the finding. So, too, must the striving count more than the gain."
While I'd been reading for as long as I could remember (my parents insisted we did, and I thank them for that), these books changed reading from something I was expected to do into something I wanted to do. An appetite that still hasn't been sated.
They tell the story of a young boy's journey into manhood within a world of fantasy and kings and knights. The boy longs to be a hero, but in the course of his trials he becomes that and much more. And we learn those life lessons along with him in stories filled with humor, sadness and adventure.
It's really a tale for boys, but I know many a girl who loves these books just as strongly as I do. The lessons and the adventures are not gender biased.
These books are on my mind now as I've been reading through them for the last couple of days. I'm nearly through the story again. I've read them at least once a year since I've owned them, so this is at least the 26th time I've read them. Why do I read them every year? I don't know...most of the time I don't plan on it. There just comes a point where I feel I need a centering...where I need to have those lessons taught to me again.
To be reminded that who we are is not as important as what we do.
To remember that life isn't something you can prepare for, and how he handle it makes us who we are.
That no matter how bad things can get, good friends and good deeds will pull you through.
It's a bit sad this time though...this is the last time I'll be able to read the copies you see in the image above. They're worn out beyond belief. If I didn't know them by heart, some pieces would be lost already and one practically fell apart in my hands and I read the pages in single sheets once I found their order again.
It will be sad to lose them and buy new copies, but the sentiment isn't in the paper...it's in the memories.
"Most of us are called on to perform tasks far beyond what we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart."
"Child, child, do you not see? For each of us comes a time when we must be more than what we are."
"There are those who must first learn loss, despair, and grief. Of all paths to wisdom, this is the cruelest and longest. Are you one who must follow such a way? This even I cannot know. If you are, take heart nonetheless. Those who reach the end do more than gain wisdom. As rough wool becomes cloth, and crude clay a vessel, so do they change and fashion wisdom for others, and what they give back is greater than what they won."
"Long ago I yearned to be a hero without knowing, in truth, what a hero was. Now, perhaps, I understand it a little better. A grower of turnips or a shaper of clay, a Commot farmer or a king--every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone. Once you told me that the seeking counts more than the finding. So, too, must the striving count more than the gain."
January 25, 2009
One of my favorite series of fantasy novels. This series is for kids to young adults, but I reread them a few years back and still enjoyed them. It is often what I recommend to those who liked harry potter and want something similar. It is full of good morals mainly geared to growing men, and values honesty and integrity over flash and heroics. Its not all wholesome cheerios though, they are genuinely great books.
The series starts with The Book of Three. It is simple and a bit childish; frustrating to older readers. If you found this to be true, read the second book The Black Cauldron before retaining judgement. The books are designed to mature with both the main character and the reader, and the main character starts out as a bit of a fool.
The series starts with The Book of Three. It is simple and a bit childish; frustrating to older readers. If you found this to be true, read the second book The Black Cauldron before retaining judgement. The books are designed to mature with both the main character and the reader, and the main character starts out as a bit of a fool.
May 8, 2023
This was my first time revisiting Prydain after, I think, 40+ years and I'm happy to report that the series still held up remarkably well.
Especially in this the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Three, there's possibly not a whole lot here that hasn't been seen before, but back in the 70s this was one of the first big fantasy series I encountered (I wish I had kept track of exactly when I first read the Prydain books, The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, which were the three big epic fantasy series of my childhood) and I drank it like water.
Coming back to it after all these years, well, it's very definitely aimed at a younger audience (I think we had the books in my elementary school library), but is uniformly charming with characters I was happy to reacquaint myself with, and some surprising depth, especially as the series progresses. (I will say that The Book of Three, the first in the series, is the weakest of the bunch, and exists mostly to introduce and bring together all of the characters -- Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewdur Fflam, Gurgi, etc. -- whose adventures we'll be following for the rest of the series. But even so, it is an altogether charming book.)
Highly recommended as a trip down memory lane, or if you have some small people in your life you might want to share it with.
Especially in this the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Three, there's possibly not a whole lot here that hasn't been seen before, but back in the 70s this was one of the first big fantasy series I encountered (I wish I had kept track of exactly when I first read the Prydain books, The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, which were the three big epic fantasy series of my childhood) and I drank it like water.
Coming back to it after all these years, well, it's very definitely aimed at a younger audience (I think we had the books in my elementary school library), but is uniformly charming with characters I was happy to reacquaint myself with, and some surprising depth, especially as the series progresses. (I will say that The Book of Three, the first in the series, is the weakest of the bunch, and exists mostly to introduce and bring together all of the characters -- Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewdur Fflam, Gurgi, etc. -- whose adventures we'll be following for the rest of the series. But even so, it is an altogether charming book.)
Highly recommended as a trip down memory lane, or if you have some small people in your life you might want to share it with.
February 12, 2012
I just finished reading the whole 5 books in sequence. Each book itself is not long. One book contains between 100-200 pages only. But the journey inside the land of Prydain was certainly a long one.
It began with The Book of Three, where Taran was still a teenage boy, eager to see the world, to become a hero, with his prideful attitude. Along the way, in The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, with all the journeys and events, Taran grew up to become a man, kind, compassionate, and humble. And it ended in The High King, where Taran finally chose the tougher choice, and thus, fulfilled the prophecy.
I like the chronicles, because of its simple plot, and yet, deep in life values lesson. Noble character, didn’t just build into a person when he was born, but because of the choices made during one’s journey through life. And through every journey in the books, the characters grew these noble life values.
But the books’ language wasn’t always heavy. In fact, there were many funny remarks, and witty bantering, coming from Fflewddur Flam, the Bard, and Eilonwy, the princess of Llyr. Don’t be misled, though, all the witty and funny remarks, are also part of a whole deep life lessons, when one takes time to do the munching and crunching, as Gurgi would say. I was sad when their journey ended.
This is the kind of book, that I would reread many times over later, as the characters already felt like old friends, and their life lessons are necessary to nurture me. My thanks to Mr. Alexander who had written such a beautiful journey into books.
It began with The Book of Three, where Taran was still a teenage boy, eager to see the world, to become a hero, with his prideful attitude. Along the way, in The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, with all the journeys and events, Taran grew up to become a man, kind, compassionate, and humble. And it ended in The High King, where Taran finally chose the tougher choice, and thus, fulfilled the prophecy.
I like the chronicles, because of its simple plot, and yet, deep in life values lesson. Noble character, didn’t just build into a person when he was born, but because of the choices made during one’s journey through life. And through every journey in the books, the characters grew these noble life values.
But the books’ language wasn’t always heavy. In fact, there were many funny remarks, and witty bantering, coming from Fflewddur Flam, the Bard, and Eilonwy, the princess of Llyr. Don’t be misled, though, all the witty and funny remarks, are also part of a whole deep life lessons, when one takes time to do the munching and crunching, as Gurgi would say. I was sad when their journey ended.
This is the kind of book, that I would reread many times over later, as the characters already felt like old friends, and their life lessons are necessary to nurture me. My thanks to Mr. Alexander who had written such a beautiful journey into books.
February 25, 2019
Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain are beloved childhood books for me. I can probably blame on them my early obsession with all things Welsh and my emphatic preference for pre-Malory Arthuriana. And also, probably, my immense fondness for crafting-based training montages (see L.E. Modesitt's entire Recluse series.) I'm thrilled to see that they hold up well - better than many of my childhood favorites.
They're thoughtful and complex on a moral level. There are very few absolute evils, and few if any absolute goods. All of the human characters are flawed, make mistakes and errors of judgment, and suffer the consequences - the often irrevocable, sometimes fatal consequences. Good guys die, and not just because it moves the plot along. They're not happy books, most of the time, but they are more comforting for that - the characters genuinely struggle and suffer and grieve, and that makes the resolutions all the more satisfying.
They don't have very many female characters - that's probably my biggest criticism. However, the one female protagonist, is not only awesome, she's awesome in a specifically genre-aware way. She refuses, vocally, to be put in the role of "princess to be rescued" - she takes effective action on her own behalf, is generally smarter than Taran, and while she is the one and only love interest, she receives news that she's been the focus of romantic conflict with amused contempt for the idea that she wouldn't be able to make up her own damned mind.
All of the other women are much older, and not really spectacular examples of role models. The three witches are the Fates, or the Norns, and are comical old women as much as they are powerful goddesses. Achren is the scorned-woman figure, and she's a credible antagonist and gets her revenge in a satisfying way, but despite her sort-of redemption she's still basically the bad guy. Dwyvach is an elderly woman. And the Queen of Mona (and her unnamed ladies-in-waiting) are parodies of proper upper-class femininity. That didn't bother me when I was a kid (I was just as much a fan of dressing up and doing girly things as Eilonwy, which is to say not at all) but now I wince a little that there's literally *no* positive representation of a pre-menopausal adult woman. They don't even get mentioned - there is no High Queen or Princess of Don named, Smoit's a widower, the only young man who has a love interest is Adaon and she only rates a mention to increase the pathos of his death - and throughout the books it generally seems like women don't exist in Prydain. It's not awesome.
But that is my only real complaint, albeit a serious one. The books remain well worth reading. Check out the links on the side to read reviews of each one!
They're thoughtful and complex on a moral level. There are very few absolute evils, and few if any absolute goods. All of the human characters are flawed, make mistakes and errors of judgment, and suffer the consequences - the often irrevocable, sometimes fatal consequences. Good guys die, and not just because it moves the plot along. They're not happy books, most of the time, but they are more comforting for that - the characters genuinely struggle and suffer and grieve, and that makes the resolutions all the more satisfying.
They don't have very many female characters - that's probably my biggest criticism. However, the one female protagonist, is not only awesome, she's awesome in a specifically genre-aware way. She refuses, vocally, to be put in the role of "princess to be rescued" - she takes effective action on her own behalf, is generally smarter than Taran, and while she is the one and only love interest, she receives news that she's been the focus of romantic conflict with amused contempt for the idea that she wouldn't be able to make up her own damned mind.
All of the other women are much older, and not really spectacular examples of role models. The three witches are the Fates, or the Norns, and are comical old women as much as they are powerful goddesses. Achren is the scorned-woman figure, and she's a credible antagonist and gets her revenge in a satisfying way, but despite her sort-of redemption she's still basically the bad guy. Dwyvach is an elderly woman. And the Queen of Mona (and her unnamed ladies-in-waiting) are parodies of proper upper-class femininity. That didn't bother me when I was a kid (I was just as much a fan of dressing up and doing girly things as Eilonwy, which is to say not at all) but now I wince a little that there's literally *no* positive representation of a pre-menopausal adult woman. They don't even get mentioned - there is no High Queen or Princess of Don named, Smoit's a widower, the only young man who has a love interest is Adaon and she only rates a mention to increase the pathos of his death - and throughout the books it generally seems like women don't exist in Prydain. It's not awesome.
But that is my only real complaint, albeit a serious one. The books remain well worth reading. Check out the links on the side to read reviews of each one!
December 29, 2020
I fell in love with these books when they were first read aloud to me as a child, and they remain just as wonderful now that I’m an adult. My husband and I read them aloud to each other during our first year of marriage, and ended up staying up far too late reading on nights when we had to work the next day. The characters are unforgettable, and we find ourselves making allusions to what certain characters would do or say in our situation. I can’t wait until our son is old enough to enjoy them as well.
The tale is of adventure and daring, of finding oneself and coming-of-age. The story unfolds in the fantasy realm of Prydain, a world steeped in Welsh mythology. Taran, a young Assistant Pig Keeper (to a very special pig) longs to be a hero, but finds heroism to be quite different than he expected when he is caught up in the strange deeds of his time. He is joined in his adventures by Eilonwy (a loquacious princess), Fflewddur Fflam (a bard whose harp strings break when his tales get a bit too “colorful”), and Gurgi (a loyal though scruffy creature who takes delight in his “crunchings and munchings”). One comes to expect the unexpected: deathless warriors, talking crows, invisible dwarves, melancholy giants, evil enchantresses, giant cats, and prophetic pigs.
One of the things that I particularly love about this series is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has a healthy dose of heroism and characters reaching beyond themselves to help others, but the heroism stays rooted in humor and humanity. The characters still make mistakes, and people’s personality quirks clash. This series doesn’t fall into the vein of “He was the best warrior in the world. With the strongest sword in the world. Until he met this other warrior who was even the better-bestest warrior in the world. With an even longer sword.” The trope of overly-heroic fantasy can get a bit laborious at times, and I find this series to be refreshingly down-to-earth. We can still escape from our daily lives into a world of wonder and adventure, but we have to chase some pigs and laugh at ourselves along the way.
The tale is of adventure and daring, of finding oneself and coming-of-age. The story unfolds in the fantasy realm of Prydain, a world steeped in Welsh mythology. Taran, a young Assistant Pig Keeper (to a very special pig) longs to be a hero, but finds heroism to be quite different than he expected when he is caught up in the strange deeds of his time. He is joined in his adventures by Eilonwy (a loquacious princess), Fflewddur Fflam (a bard whose harp strings break when his tales get a bit too “colorful”), and Gurgi (a loyal though scruffy creature who takes delight in his “crunchings and munchings”). One comes to expect the unexpected: deathless warriors, talking crows, invisible dwarves, melancholy giants, evil enchantresses, giant cats, and prophetic pigs.
One of the things that I particularly love about this series is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has a healthy dose of heroism and characters reaching beyond themselves to help others, but the heroism stays rooted in humor and humanity. The characters still make mistakes, and people’s personality quirks clash. This series doesn’t fall into the vein of “He was the best warrior in the world. With the strongest sword in the world. Until he met this other warrior who was even the better-bestest warrior in the world. With an even longer sword.” The trope of overly-heroic fantasy can get a bit laborious at times, and I find this series to be refreshingly down-to-earth. We can still escape from our daily lives into a world of wonder and adventure, but we have to chase some pigs and laugh at ourselves along the way.
October 14, 2015
This is a very charming, loveable Fantasy/Coming of Age series and it definitely deserves more attention than it gets.
On behalf of all Prydain fans I'd like to ask: Where's our live-action movie version of this? All we have is one very cute (but let's face it, also dated and somewhat inaccurate) Disney animation film!
The story basically follows, along the course of five books, the coming of age of young Taran, an assistant pig keeper who dreams of being a hero. He makes (and in many cases loses, usually through death) many friends. Two of these friends are a king with a magic harp who loves skirting his responsibility to his kingdom and being a bard, and a very 'tell it like it is' red-headed princess. Early on, despite having nothing in particular against each other, he and the princess clash a lot, but by the third book he's pretty much already fallen in love with her.
Now I have to mention my favorite character of the series: GURGI!!! Oh, how I LOVE Gurgi. Remember all those friends Taran makes? Well one of them is a pitiful, shaggy creature (we never do find out exactly what he is) named Gurgi, and he MAKES this series. His remarks throughout, whether funny or clueless, always bring a smile to my face and is the main reason I'd want to re-read this series over and over again.
(Gurgi is also the reason I now and again say things like "Crunchings and munchings" or "lotions and potions" or "splashings and thrashings" despite the weird looks I get from people when I do so).
Anyway this is a five-star, delightful series. Highly recommended.
On behalf of all Prydain fans I'd like to ask: Where's our live-action movie version of this? All we have is one very cute (but let's face it, also dated and somewhat inaccurate) Disney animation film!
The story basically follows, along the course of five books, the coming of age of young Taran, an assistant pig keeper who dreams of being a hero. He makes (and in many cases loses, usually through death) many friends. Two of these friends are a king with a magic harp who loves skirting his responsibility to his kingdom and being a bard, and a very 'tell it like it is' red-headed princess. Early on, despite having nothing in particular against each other, he and the princess clash a lot, but by the third book he's pretty much already fallen in love with her.
Now I have to mention my favorite character of the series: GURGI!!! Oh, how I LOVE Gurgi. Remember all those friends Taran makes? Well one of them is a pitiful, shaggy creature (we never do find out exactly what he is) named Gurgi, and he MAKES this series. His remarks throughout, whether funny or clueless, always bring a smile to my face and is the main reason I'd want to re-read this series over and over again.
(Gurgi is also the reason I now and again say things like "Crunchings and munchings" or "lotions and potions" or "splashings and thrashings" despite the weird looks I get from people when I do so).
Anyway this is a five-star, delightful series. Highly recommended.
September 7, 2015
Stephen King once said that he'd pay someone millions of dollars if they could invent a machine that would let him feel as though he's reading his favorite books for the first time again. If such a machine ever comes to be, the Chronicles of Pyrdain will be the set of books I spend my (imagined) millions on.
Better YA than nearly anything out there today. Little pieces of wisdom scattered throughout all five books. Heroes who pay a dear price for every piece of wisdom they gain and every victory they achieve. And one of the most bittersweet endings in all of fiction.
Perfect in just about every way. Can't recommend the series highly enough.
Better YA than nearly anything out there today. Little pieces of wisdom scattered throughout all five books. Heroes who pay a dear price for every piece of wisdom they gain and every victory they achieve. And one of the most bittersweet endings in all of fiction.
Perfect in just about every way. Can't recommend the series highly enough.
January 20, 2016
There is no better fantasy series for young adults -- or for adults -- than this story of longing, honor, temptation, companionship, heartbreak, and sacrifice.
March 7, 2017
I first read these in junior high, and loved them then. They are out of print now (bummer) but my local library had the complete collection in one tome (yay for libraries!). It's a nice mix of Arthurian legend; Welsh legend, vocabulary, and locale; and Tolkien-type fantasy.
The characters are wonderful and memorable--nobody stays a stereotype for long, there are strong female characters, and the heroes all have weaknesses that make sense given their histories and experiences (putting it a good bit ahead of most 1970s-1980s fantasy). Fflewdur, Eilonwy, and of course Gurgi are among the best fantasy characters you'll ever come across, and make protagonist Taran a bit dull by comparison (in that way Han makes Jedi Luke kind of dull, I guess).
There are lots of interesting twists and turns, and sometimes the good (and bad) characters don't last as long as you'd expect (Darth Maul, meet the Horned King!).
One of my favorite fantasy epics, and it still holds up, whatever your age. Someone should bring them back into print.
It's also worth noting there's a movie based on the books from Disney, circa the 1980s, called The Black Cauldron. It's very good, but takes huge liberties with characters and plots.
The characters are wonderful and memorable--nobody stays a stereotype for long, there are strong female characters, and the heroes all have weaknesses that make sense given their histories and experiences (putting it a good bit ahead of most 1970s-1980s fantasy). Fflewdur, Eilonwy, and of course Gurgi are among the best fantasy characters you'll ever come across, and make protagonist Taran a bit dull by comparison (in that way Han makes Jedi Luke kind of dull, I guess).
There are lots of interesting twists and turns, and sometimes the good (and bad) characters don't last as long as you'd expect (Darth Maul, meet the Horned King!).
One of my favorite fantasy epics, and it still holds up, whatever your age. Someone should bring them back into print.
It's also worth noting there's a movie based on the books from Disney, circa the 1980s, called The Black Cauldron. It's very good, but takes huge liberties with characters and plots.
August 8, 2008
I was pretty much minding my own business, plucking the odd Encyclopedia Brown mystery from the elementary school library shelves when my third grade teacher told me to check these out. They began a lifelong affection for fantasy novels, specifically fantasy series.
It's natural to utter the name Tolkein while discussing these books due to numerous parallels between Middle Earth and The Realm of Prydain, not to mention both author's utilization the multi-volume format. Alexander's Prydain series distinguishes itself from The Ring books in that its message is specifically for young readers. In fact, volume four puts forward many of the existential questions just around the corner for the next generation.
This series is about finding and being faithful to one's purpose in life, chalking up failures to learning experiences, and never taking one's comrades for granted.
It's natural to utter the name Tolkein while discussing these books due to numerous parallels between Middle Earth and The Realm of Prydain, not to mention both author's utilization the multi-volume format. Alexander's Prydain series distinguishes itself from The Ring books in that its message is specifically for young readers. In fact, volume four puts forward many of the existential questions just around the corner for the next generation.
This series is about finding and being faithful to one's purpose in life, chalking up failures to learning experiences, and never taking one's comrades for granted.
August 11, 2007
I loved these books when I was a kid. They're a sweeping fantasy tale of good v. evil rooted in myth, and also a funny, affectionate coming of age story. I was afraid they wouldn't hold up when I returned to them a few years ago, but they were still wonderful. Princess Eilonwy is one of the best girl-best-friends characters ever - and she gets the best witty lines.
The movie The Black Cauldron was very loosely based on these books (very loosely).
The movie The Black Cauldron was very loosely based on these books (very loosely).
September 19, 2017
It's a very charming fantasy series with a great sense of humor, likable characters, and culminates in a painful coming-of-age story for main character Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper. It's also heavily based on Welsh mythology, folklore, and naming conventions. I'd recommend it to anyone, of any age.
October 9, 2023
A delightful series. In truth, this is one long fairy tale, which is long enough that the main character Taran is really quite developed in the end. The target age is probably 7-11, but if (like me) you genuinely enjoy reading books which are innocent and delightful, then you may like this series.
December 22, 2010
I read these individually, having bought a boxed set years ago. They tell a wonderful fantasy story, much younger than The Lord of the Rings to which some try to compare it. While I can't say that I find it anywhere near as good as that epic, it is a worthy nominee to the crown of best Youth and YA fantasy. Adults can and I would think that if they are fantasy fans, will enjoy it also. The books are loosely based in Welsh mythology but they don't strain to stay with it and tell a story that's fun, interesting, and exciting.
So, get together with the assistant pig keeper and follow the adventure to the end. It's a good story whether you read it in individual volumes or in an omnibus edition.
So, get together with the assistant pig keeper and follow the adventure to the end. It's a good story whether you read it in individual volumes or in an omnibus edition.
January 15, 2008
LOVE THEM ALL!!!
March 20, 2008
Good fantasy story.
December 25, 2010
Re-reading (28 years later) on 12/13/10.
September 9, 2017
1969 Newbery Medal Winner (for Book 5, The High King)
This was one of my favorite series when I was younger. It had a huge influence on my love of fantasy fiction. Now, re-reading it as an adult, I can see that it's not flawless, but nonetheless it's still a great adventure with wonderful characters.
I read the old book club edition that I've had for years. It includes the five novels, plus a short story collection set in the same world, which is loosely based on Welsh mythology.
I kind of floundered in the middle of the collection and took a long time to get through it all. Not sure I will re-read it again myself, but I would definitely read it to a potential future offspring.
The main character, Taran, learns that he's the only one who can choose what kind of life he will lead, regardless of his birth or what he thinks of as his fate (a very American theme from an American author!).
Taran also comes to understand that true leadership is a heavy burden, involving sacrificing for those one would lead. The series brings him full-circle from a headstrong boy hungry for glory to a man who is willing to lay down his life for others.
"A true king wears his crown in his heart."
This was one of my favorite series when I was younger. It had a huge influence on my love of fantasy fiction. Now, re-reading it as an adult, I can see that it's not flawless, but nonetheless it's still a great adventure with wonderful characters.
I read the old book club edition that I've had for years. It includes the five novels, plus a short story collection set in the same world, which is loosely based on Welsh mythology.
I kind of floundered in the middle of the collection and took a long time to get through it all. Not sure I will re-read it again myself, but I would definitely read it to a potential future offspring.
The main character, Taran, learns that he's the only one who can choose what kind of life he will lead, regardless of his birth or what he thinks of as his fate (a very American theme from an American author!).
Taran also comes to understand that true leadership is a heavy burden, involving sacrificing for those one would lead. The series brings him full-circle from a headstrong boy hungry for glory to a man who is willing to lay down his life for others.
"A true king wears his crown in his heart."
January 8, 2014
The Chronicles of Prydain is an epic fantasy series by the late and great fantasy author Lloyd Alexander. To really appreciate his work you must read this series. Think the lord of the rings but on a feudal level, and written for children.
The series contains these stories:
The Book of Three – In which Taran an assistant pig keeper sets off to find a runaway pig that tells the future and ends up on a quest to save Prydain from the forces of evil. He is joined by Princess Eilonwy who possess a strong will and mostly latent magic, Fflewddur Fflam who splits his time as a king and a bard who is known to stretch the truth a little, Gurgi Taran’s faithful page though I’m not quite sure what he is, and Doli a stout hearted but curmudgeonly dwarf.
The Black Cauldron – In which Taran having showed is mettle has been selected by Prince Gwydion to accompany a band of warriors who will travel to Annuvin to seek out and destroy the Black Cauldron from which the evil Arawns undead cauldron born warriors are created. In his close company is the noble bard Adaon and the glory hound Prince Ellidyr who has a chip on his shoulder. However, finding the cauldron and destroying it will be two separate tasks altogether.
The Castle of Llyr – In which Taran will accompany Eilonwy to the Isle of Mona where she will learn to be a proper princess. However, Taran will soon find out that there are others waiting for them there that wish to awaken Eilonwy’s magic for their own evil ends. When Eilonwy is kidnapped it is up to Prince Gwydion, Taran, Fflewdur Fflam, Rhun the noble yet bumbling Prince of Mona to find her.
Taran the Wanderer – In which Taran sets out on quest by himself to find out who he truly is. His travels take him from the dangerous Marshes of Morva in the southeast all the way to the Free Commots in the western lands eventually meeting up with Fflewddur Fflam. Along the way he will make many new friends, and a few enemies, and he will learn the value of wisdom and hard work and the disservice of pride.
The High King – In which the Chronicles of Prydain come to an end and the whole land is primed for the ultimate battle between good and evil. The most powerful weapon in the world has fallen into the hands of Arawn Lord of Annuvin and Prince Gwydion and Taran must raise an army to meet this threat. A race against time and an inhuman foe that gets stronger the closer that they get to Annuvin will test Taran’s army to its limits. In the end Taran will have to make the most crucial decision of his life.
The Chronicles of Prydain are loosely based on old Welsh myth, or at least this is where the ideas sprang from after which the stories took on an entirely different life. As a man of paternal Welsh descent (well back in my ancestry), I cannot help but like these books for that fact alone.
Lloyd Alexander has written a protagonist for the everyman, or boy. Taran , his most complex character, comes from little means, but his true birth is a mystery that his own kind master will not tell him. Taran wants so badly to be a great prince and warrior rather than the assistant pig-keeper that he is. What I love about this series though, is that Taran learns that while some bestow nobility at birth, true nobility is something that is learned and earned. Taran himself, will come to be truly noble, but you will have to find out how for yourself.
While there are a few small exceptions, many of the other characters in this book are quite simple in scope, but that is okay because they are there to help move Taran’s story onward and they assist him magnificently. However, some of these characters do at time have moments of complexity. I absolutely loved Gurgi, though I have no idea what kind of creature he actually is, he starts off seemingly as a sniveling and conniving little creature whose only care is feeding his belly, but he turns into one of Taran’s most trusted companions willing even to die for him.
While there might be temptation to compare The Chronicles of Prydain to The Lord of the Rings, it really isn’t necessary. While there are some similarities, there are more than enough differences, some significant, to let them stand on their own merit and to simply enjoy them both.
Lloyd Alexander is among the best fantasy writers of all time, but he has been forgotten by the book reading public for some time now. Students today have never heard of him. Most readers of my age have not heard of him. I really want to change that. I highly recommend his quintessential works “The Chronicles of Prydain”. Once you read this you will be hooked.
The series contains these stories:
The Book of Three – In which Taran an assistant pig keeper sets off to find a runaway pig that tells the future and ends up on a quest to save Prydain from the forces of evil. He is joined by Princess Eilonwy who possess a strong will and mostly latent magic, Fflewddur Fflam who splits his time as a king and a bard who is known to stretch the truth a little, Gurgi Taran’s faithful page though I’m not quite sure what he is, and Doli a stout hearted but curmudgeonly dwarf.
The Black Cauldron – In which Taran having showed is mettle has been selected by Prince Gwydion to accompany a band of warriors who will travel to Annuvin to seek out and destroy the Black Cauldron from which the evil Arawns undead cauldron born warriors are created. In his close company is the noble bard Adaon and the glory hound Prince Ellidyr who has a chip on his shoulder. However, finding the cauldron and destroying it will be two separate tasks altogether.
The Castle of Llyr – In which Taran will accompany Eilonwy to the Isle of Mona where she will learn to be a proper princess. However, Taran will soon find out that there are others waiting for them there that wish to awaken Eilonwy’s magic for their own evil ends. When Eilonwy is kidnapped it is up to Prince Gwydion, Taran, Fflewdur Fflam, Rhun the noble yet bumbling Prince of Mona to find her.
Taran the Wanderer – In which Taran sets out on quest by himself to find out who he truly is. His travels take him from the dangerous Marshes of Morva in the southeast all the way to the Free Commots in the western lands eventually meeting up with Fflewddur Fflam. Along the way he will make many new friends, and a few enemies, and he will learn the value of wisdom and hard work and the disservice of pride.
The High King – In which the Chronicles of Prydain come to an end and the whole land is primed for the ultimate battle between good and evil. The most powerful weapon in the world has fallen into the hands of Arawn Lord of Annuvin and Prince Gwydion and Taran must raise an army to meet this threat. A race against time and an inhuman foe that gets stronger the closer that they get to Annuvin will test Taran’s army to its limits. In the end Taran will have to make the most crucial decision of his life.
The Chronicles of Prydain are loosely based on old Welsh myth, or at least this is where the ideas sprang from after which the stories took on an entirely different life. As a man of paternal Welsh descent (well back in my ancestry), I cannot help but like these books for that fact alone.
Lloyd Alexander has written a protagonist for the everyman, or boy. Taran , his most complex character, comes from little means, but his true birth is a mystery that his own kind master will not tell him. Taran wants so badly to be a great prince and warrior rather than the assistant pig-keeper that he is. What I love about this series though, is that Taran learns that while some bestow nobility at birth, true nobility is something that is learned and earned. Taran himself, will come to be truly noble, but you will have to find out how for yourself.
While there are a few small exceptions, many of the other characters in this book are quite simple in scope, but that is okay because they are there to help move Taran’s story onward and they assist him magnificently. However, some of these characters do at time have moments of complexity. I absolutely loved Gurgi, though I have no idea what kind of creature he actually is, he starts off seemingly as a sniveling and conniving little creature whose only care is feeding his belly, but he turns into one of Taran’s most trusted companions willing even to die for him.
While there might be temptation to compare The Chronicles of Prydain to The Lord of the Rings, it really isn’t necessary. While there are some similarities, there are more than enough differences, some significant, to let them stand on their own merit and to simply enjoy them both.
Lloyd Alexander is among the best fantasy writers of all time, but he has been forgotten by the book reading public for some time now. Students today have never heard of him. Most readers of my age have not heard of him. I really want to change that. I highly recommend his quintessential works “The Chronicles of Prydain”. Once you read this you will be hooked.
April 14, 2019
Overall:
The Book of Three - 4 out of 5
The Black Cauldron - 4.5 out of 5
The Castle of Llyr - 3.5 out of 5
Taran Wanderer - 3.5 out of 5
The High King - 4 out of 5
The Book of Three - 4 out of 5
The Black Cauldron - 4.5 out of 5
The Castle of Llyr - 3.5 out of 5
Taran Wanderer - 3.5 out of 5
The High King - 4 out of 5
April 29, 2015
"The Chronicles of Prydain" is one of those fantasy series that is not only a classic, but really timeless -- it's a mishmash of heroic fantasy and Welsh folklore, a few rungs below "Lord of the Rings" and a few inches down from "Chronicles of Narnia." And Lloyd Alexander's writing is absolutely sublime, melding sorrow and humor even as the heroes fight to save the world.
"The Book of Three" opens with Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran yearning for adventure -- and getting more than he bargains for when he chases the pig into the woods, and is nearly run down by a sinister horned rider. Soon he teams up with a wandering king-minstrel, a sharp-tongued princess and a furry creature called Gurgi to save Prydain from the power of the Horned King.
"The Black Cauldron" has Taran and the others setting out to destroy Arawn Deathlord's evil cauldron, which turns dead men into unkillable zombies. But other forces are after the cauldron, including three peculiar witches who insist on trading something for the cauldron. What is worse, the company faces treachery from someone in their own camp...
"The Castle of Llyr" ties up some loose ends from the first book, as Princess Eilonwy is sent to the isle of Mona to become a fine lady. But she has barely arrived when she is kidnapped by a minion of the evil enchantress Achren, her "aunt." Taran sets out to save her, but must team up with the young man who wishes to marry Eilonwy -- even though Taran is rapidly falling in love with her.
"Taran Wanderer" has Taran setting out to discover his past, since he feels he can't ask Eilonwy to marry him if he is lowborn. With only Gurgi at his side, he encounters evil wizards, malevolent bandits, and finally learns that his father just might be a shepherd... until a new revelation leads him to learn of his true worth.
"The High King" wraps up the saga, with Taran returning home. But no sooner has he arrived than he learns that noble Prince Gwydion has been half-killed -- and the magical sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by Arawn Deathlord. Now the heroes set out one and for all to attack Arawn's stronghold and get back the sword -- but how can they defeat a deathless army and a shapeshifting enemy?
Take two parts "Lord of the Rings," add a bit more humor and comedy, and stir in bits and pieces of Welsh mythology. That pretty much sums up the Prydain Chronicles, which is one of the rare series that is meant for kids, but is as rich an experience for adults. Even better, if they know the origins of the old legends and myths that make up the edges of these stories. Alexander populates this little world with evil enchantresses, deathless warriors, eager teenagers and talking crows, all the while coming up with an original storyline that doesn't smack of lifted legends.
In a sense, the whole series is a coming-of-age story, where Taran learns wisdom, maturity, loss and love. Oh yeah, and that that Chinese curse about interesting times is quite correct. Princess Eilonwy and the bard-king Fflewddur Fflam add a bit of comic relief, but they are also strong characters in their own right, as is the fuzzy sidekick Gurgi, who goes from being an annoyance to a loyal and lovable friend.
The one downside? Apparently this collection does not include "The Foundling," which is part of the Prydain Chronicles, even if it's not strictly necessary to the narrative.
"The Chronicles of Prydain" are fantasy at its best, mingling myth and legend with a fast-paced plot and endearingly quirky characters. Definitely not something to miss.
"The Book of Three" opens with Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran yearning for adventure -- and getting more than he bargains for when he chases the pig into the woods, and is nearly run down by a sinister horned rider. Soon he teams up with a wandering king-minstrel, a sharp-tongued princess and a furry creature called Gurgi to save Prydain from the power of the Horned King.
"The Black Cauldron" has Taran and the others setting out to destroy Arawn Deathlord's evil cauldron, which turns dead men into unkillable zombies. But other forces are after the cauldron, including three peculiar witches who insist on trading something for the cauldron. What is worse, the company faces treachery from someone in their own camp...
"The Castle of Llyr" ties up some loose ends from the first book, as Princess Eilonwy is sent to the isle of Mona to become a fine lady. But she has barely arrived when she is kidnapped by a minion of the evil enchantress Achren, her "aunt." Taran sets out to save her, but must team up with the young man who wishes to marry Eilonwy -- even though Taran is rapidly falling in love with her.
"Taran Wanderer" has Taran setting out to discover his past, since he feels he can't ask Eilonwy to marry him if he is lowborn. With only Gurgi at his side, he encounters evil wizards, malevolent bandits, and finally learns that his father just might be a shepherd... until a new revelation leads him to learn of his true worth.
"The High King" wraps up the saga, with Taran returning home. But no sooner has he arrived than he learns that noble Prince Gwydion has been half-killed -- and the magical sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by Arawn Deathlord. Now the heroes set out one and for all to attack Arawn's stronghold and get back the sword -- but how can they defeat a deathless army and a shapeshifting enemy?
Take two parts "Lord of the Rings," add a bit more humor and comedy, and stir in bits and pieces of Welsh mythology. That pretty much sums up the Prydain Chronicles, which is one of the rare series that is meant for kids, but is as rich an experience for adults. Even better, if they know the origins of the old legends and myths that make up the edges of these stories. Alexander populates this little world with evil enchantresses, deathless warriors, eager teenagers and talking crows, all the while coming up with an original storyline that doesn't smack of lifted legends.
In a sense, the whole series is a coming-of-age story, where Taran learns wisdom, maturity, loss and love. Oh yeah, and that that Chinese curse about interesting times is quite correct. Princess Eilonwy and the bard-king Fflewddur Fflam add a bit of comic relief, but they are also strong characters in their own right, as is the fuzzy sidekick Gurgi, who goes from being an annoyance to a loyal and lovable friend.
The one downside? Apparently this collection does not include "The Foundling," which is part of the Prydain Chronicles, even if it's not strictly necessary to the narrative.
"The Chronicles of Prydain" are fantasy at its best, mingling myth and legend with a fast-paced plot and endearingly quirky characters. Definitely not something to miss.
December 26, 2015
I suppose I'm just getting old and curmudgeonly, but these books just didn't hold up to my middle-school memories of them. It's sad -- I wanted to like them more. But they just continually felt... Clunky and derivative. The characters were mostly one-dimensional (Gurgi and Fflewder Fflam, in particular, always spoke in repetitive turns of phrase, making them feel like Mad Libs more than people). Alexander skipped over so many details that it felt like he either wasn't paying attention or hadn't been edited or both. (Example: Gurgi's bottomless wallet of food. What kind of food does it produce? Bread? Jerky? Roast quail? Deep-fried Snickers bars? Not once, in five books, does it tell you. It's always just "food". Pfhag. And that's just one blatant example of many. Even the terrain seems mutable and to lose detail and distances in service of the plot.)
But what really disappointed me was the number of times that Alexander introduced a convenient character, a plot twist, or even a deus ex machina in order to avoid having Taran or his companions make an authentic moral choice. (Some details below the spoilers cut.) It's sort of a betrayal of the notion of a coming-of-age story. How can a person grow if their choices are always made for them?
I was also somewhat disappointed in Eilonwy. She clearly had a strong sense of herself and was willing to assert herself and to try to break free of her gender stereotypes (laudably so, for the era of publication). But she never really gained much agency. Her actions often had little impact on the plot, and, in spite of her protestations, Taran continually treats her as juvenile.
That said, it was still an enjoyable ride. I'm glad to have re-read it.
Spoilers below.
No, really. You have been warned.
Ok, you asked for it...
In The Black Cauldron, the Bad Prince throws himself into the Cauldron to save everybody. But he has a moment of redemption first, so that Taran & co. can feel righteously sad for losing him, rather than facing the moral quandary of being rid of someone they detested, all in the name of a good cause.
Much worse, in my mind: In Taran Wanderer, Taran is deceived into de-railing his quest by a man who claims to be his long-sought father. We are told repeatedly about Taran's inner conflict: How much despair he feels at being tied to this man and this location and how much he detests trying to farm this hopeless location, yet how much he can't let go of this man whom he barely knows, but might be his only kin. And yet, rather than force Taran to resolve this conflict himself, Alexander conveniently kills the would-be kin. (After, of course, having a heartfelt reconciliation and release of obligation.) What a cop-out.
Finally, in The High King, at the end, Eilonwy is faced with the choice: give up her magic forever, or lose Taran. She, of course, loses Taran, claiming that she had never wanted the magic anyway. You could read that as the stereotypical, "saying the opposite of what is meant". Except that (a) she had repeatedly claimed not to want to be an enchantress, (b) she's usually pretty straightforward about how she feels, and (c) she had already lost all her magic in the Castle of LLyr! Another pointless choice with a foreordained resolution.
But what really disappointed me was the number of times that Alexander introduced a convenient character, a plot twist, or even a deus ex machina in order to avoid having Taran or his companions make an authentic moral choice. (Some details below the spoilers cut.) It's sort of a betrayal of the notion of a coming-of-age story. How can a person grow if their choices are always made for them?
I was also somewhat disappointed in Eilonwy. She clearly had a strong sense of herself and was willing to assert herself and to try to break free of her gender stereotypes (laudably so, for the era of publication). But she never really gained much agency. Her actions often had little impact on the plot, and, in spite of her protestations, Taran continually treats her as juvenile.
That said, it was still an enjoyable ride. I'm glad to have re-read it.
Spoilers below.
No, really. You have been warned.
Ok, you asked for it...
In The Black Cauldron, the Bad Prince throws himself into the Cauldron to save everybody. But he has a moment of redemption first, so that Taran & co. can feel righteously sad for losing him, rather than facing the moral quandary of being rid of someone they detested, all in the name of a good cause.
Much worse, in my mind: In Taran Wanderer, Taran is deceived into de-railing his quest by a man who claims to be his long-sought father. We are told repeatedly about Taran's inner conflict: How much despair he feels at being tied to this man and this location and how much he detests trying to farm this hopeless location, yet how much he can't let go of this man whom he barely knows, but might be his only kin. And yet, rather than force Taran to resolve this conflict himself, Alexander conveniently kills the would-be kin. (After, of course, having a heartfelt reconciliation and release of obligation.) What a cop-out.
Finally, in The High King, at the end, Eilonwy is faced with the choice: give up her magic forever, or lose Taran. She, of course, loses Taran, claiming that she had never wanted the magic anyway. You could read that as the stereotypical, "saying the opposite of what is meant". Except that (a) she had repeatedly claimed not to want to be an enchantress, (b) she's usually pretty straightforward about how she feels, and (c) she had already lost all her magic in the Castle of LLyr! Another pointless choice with a foreordained resolution.
April 12, 2014
I've been reading these books to my 9-year-old son, and we're both enjoying them. To give you a sense, other favorites of his have been all the Harry Potter books multiple times each, The Hobbit, and recently "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. These books are between Harry Potter and Tolkien in reading level, which I realize is a large gap. Our son, a relatively advanced reader who nevertheless chooses "Takes of a Wimpy Kid" as often as "The Hobbit," could probably read these on his own, once he got past all the names (there's a pronunciation guide at the beginning, but really, why make the names so hard?)
In many ways this is a coming-of-age series, and a delightful one. For example, although there are plenty of battles (very black-and-white, good vs. evil ones), our hero, Taran, starts the series looking at these as exciting opportunities for glory, and to prove his manhood. But he is surrounded by older and wiser folk who would rather farm than fight, and as Taran gets older he sees the wisdom and honor in this.
Although this series may appeal more to most boys than to most girls, there is a delightful female character Taran's age, Eilonwy, who is smart, dating, funny, and challenges "girls don't do that" stereotypes at every turn. She's wonderful, and provides some great lessons for boys and girls alike.
Taran helps and befriends everyone he meets who will be befriended, and finds kindness and wisdom from a wide assortment of adults of all types. Great fodder for conversation about how different people see the world, how to solve petty disputes without fighting, and that everyone deserves fairness, regardless of rank, money, or power.
In short, these are fun books with lots of positive messages. We're enjoying them.
In many ways this is a coming-of-age series, and a delightful one. For example, although there are plenty of battles (very black-and-white, good vs. evil ones), our hero, Taran, starts the series looking at these as exciting opportunities for glory, and to prove his manhood. But he is surrounded by older and wiser folk who would rather farm than fight, and as Taran gets older he sees the wisdom and honor in this.
Although this series may appeal more to most boys than to most girls, there is a delightful female character Taran's age, Eilonwy, who is smart, dating, funny, and challenges "girls don't do that" stereotypes at every turn. She's wonderful, and provides some great lessons for boys and girls alike.
Taran helps and befriends everyone he meets who will be befriended, and finds kindness and wisdom from a wide assortment of adults of all types. Great fodder for conversation about how different people see the world, how to solve petty disputes without fighting, and that everyone deserves fairness, regardless of rank, money, or power.
In short, these are fun books with lots of positive messages. We're enjoying them.
September 23, 2009
I struggle a bit with how to rate these older children's books. The style is quite a bit different then now. Instead of the stories that appeal to all ages (so that they sell more books), these are actually more geared for kids. Not as much filler and not very subtle characters or plot. That having been said. I really liked this whole set. But it didn't make me stay up at night reading it.
October 5, 2008
Made me want to be a blacksmith. Great adventure.
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