50th Anniversary Edition - The Chronicles of Prydain

I bought this with the intention of reading the entire series, because I love fantasy, but for all his ability to create interesting and likable characters, there's really no story here. Good dialogue - nothing else of real merit. Sorry, dead author, I just didn't enjoy this despite being able to read the entire book in two sittings.

I really enjoyed re-reading this book. I forgot about all the beautiful characters and the simplicity of the story. I really think the fantasy of this story is simple and a perfect setup for the next part of the story. It's fun reading a fantasy story that doesn't have sex and murder at the heart of the story.

A good fantasy book for children and adults. I recommend this for kids who may not be old enough for "Lord of the Rings". While the book is derivative of "Lord of the Rings", it is original enough to be enjoyed.

I started this series based on the recommendation of a friend, who hailed it as a classic. While my only familiarity with it is a few memories of having seen Disney's adaptation of "The Black Cauldron" years ago, I have enjoyed Lloyd Alexander's writing before (his short-story collection "The Town Cats and Other Tales"). And the story itself, while relying on some tropes that have become pretty cliche after decades of writers aping the style of classic masters like Alexander, Tolkein, and Lewis, looked promising. In the end, while I wasn't completely won over by the story or the writing, I ended up liking the characters and the subtle weaving of Welsh mythology well enough that I'm intrigued by this series, and plan on continuing it.

"The Book of Three" opens with Taran, a boy without a family who chafes under his role as Assistant Pig-Keeper -- a role that's boring even if said pig is clairvoyant. He dreams of becoming a hero... but gets his wish in the worst way when the Horned King, a conqueror in league with the kingdom of the dead, rides through the forest and threatens the village he calls home. His quest to find the pig, who has run off in a panic at the sight of the Horned King, ends up taking him on a journey to warn his people of the impending invasion, accompanied by an unlikely band of heroes -- a feisty and snarky princess, a wandering bard with a lie-detecting harp, a cowardly but fiercely loyal creature of the forest, and a grumpy but equally loyal dwarf. Together, this unlikely band must face the reanimated dead, a wicked sorceress, a kingdom of petty Fair Folk, and the Horned King himself to save Prydian from a devastating war...

Lloyd Alexander moves the story along at a deft but never hurried pace, using description sparingly but in the appropriate places and never letting purple prose overtake the story. He deftly weaves elements of Welsh culture and mythology into his writing, and makes me want to check out the original folklore for myself to catch the similarities. His characters' names can be a little odd -- again, they seem to be inspired by Welsh -- but thankfully the book contains a pronunciation guide to help the reader out. There are times when I wish the kingdom of Prydian had been more fleshed-out, as it seems we only see a tiny corner of it in this story... but hopefully future volumes take care of that.

Taran himself is something of an enigma -- we don't learn much at all about his past, as he lives with an old wise man and a blacksmith and seems to have no recollection of his past or his parents. This normally would make a character uninteresting to me, but thankfully Taran is given enough character to make him sympathetic, and he sees real growth and development over the course of the novel, learning courage and compassion throughout his adventure. His companions are an eclectic and enjoyable bunch, and even if they have their spats the interactions between them are enjoyable. Nothing's worse than reading a book where the characters do nothing but insult and fight with one another, and to be expected to sympathize with them... but while the characters of "The Book of Three" may have their spats, they gel together as a group quite well.

While not quite as good as I had hoped, "The Book of Three" is still a solid enough start to the series that I plan on continuing it. I've grown fond of the characters and hope to see more of the world fleshed out, and have faith that this series only gets better as it continues.

I read this series multiple times as a child, and returned to it as an adult and a librarian when I chose The Book of Three for the boys' book club I lead. It truly stands the test of time. I often recommend this series to both boys and girls who are between Narnia and Middle Earth. The characters are vivid and multi-faceted and the plots have everything: adventure, danger, tragedy, humor, and triumph. Assistant pig-keeper Taran, who longs to be a hero, remains one of my favorite characters in children's literature, and the companions he meets along his journey are all extremely memorable. I would also recommend this 50th anniversary edition. I loved Shannon Hale's introduction and all of the additional material, especially the interview with author Lloyd Alexander. Young or old, if you love fantasy and have ever longed to head off on a good old-fashioned quest for adventure, give this series a try.

Taran, the assistant pig-keeper, worked with Coll making horseshoes instead of a sword. Taran wanted to learn to make swords and become a swordsman. When, the ancient one Dallben, stopped by to visit Taran, he talked with him about the old ways, The Horned King and the Book of Three. Taran wanted to read the book on his own but when he touched it, he felt as though he had been stung. Taran’s task was to take care of Hen Wen, Prydains only oracular pig. Taran had known the pig’s regular routine, but something changed and Hen Wen dug her way out of the pen. For Taran the chase and the adventure was on to capture her.

Author Lloyd Alexander’s book has been around since 1964. On the 50th anniversary of this tale, Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale, decided to bring it back to life. For readers who love a long-ago tale similar to the works by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein will love the discovery of this hero’s journey. Parents and teachers will find this a fun read-a-loud for students and family.

The Book of Three introduces us to the young Taran, who is itching to be a hero. Through a series of setbacks and errors, he gathers a little band of misfits- Eilonwy, Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam. It sets the stage for the rest of the series while remaining a good standalone book.

I first read this book way back in sixth grade as an assignment. At the time, I had never read fantasy, and really had no urge to do so. But I gave the book a chance because I loved my teacher. I'm so glad I did- this series has remained one of my favorites. I love how Taran grows throughout this book. His character starts out as a little whiny teenager (of which I have a lot of experience as a mom!) but ends up recognizing that there are more important issues in the world than what he wants for himself. I also love the character of Eilonwy. She is feisty and doesn’t let others (namely Taran) force her to do things she doesn’t want to do.

I hadn't read anything by Lloyd Alexander until last month. Clearly, that was a mistake. "The Book of Three", the first in the Chronicles of Prydain, was a great read (although I thought "The Iron Ring" was even better), and I can't wait to read the next four.

Taran has been promoted to Assistant Pig-Keeper, but since he's still taking care of the prophesying swine Hen Wen and taking orders from Dallben and Coll, it's really not much of a step up. But when Hen Wen escapes during a bout of bad weather, Taran feels it his duty to get her back. He meets up with his hero, Prince Gwyndion, and a great enemy, the Horned King of Annuvin. When he and Gwyndion get separated, Taran has to carry on the task of warning Gwyndion's home of the Horned King. With the help of the sharp-tongued Princess Eilonwy, the melodramatic Fflewddur, and the half-human, half-hairy thing Gurgi, Taran just may succeed.

Guess how many of those names I had to look up how to spell? A lot. Darn those Welsh and their unspellable language! For, you see, Alexander based his Prydain chronicles on Welsh mythology. Some bits are taken straight from the old stories (the Kilhuch and Olwen reference, for example), but most are original. I find it hard to believe you could make up a thing like Gurgi.

Although I enjoyed Alexander's "The Iron Ring" more as a whole, some parts of "Book of Three" were done better than the former. Taran's delusions of heroism get him into trouble at least as much as Tamar of "Iron Ring", but I forgave Taran because of his youth and because he didn't have an Indian sage assuring him that his wrong moves were right. There may or may not be a romance between Taran and Eilonwy in future books, but their relationship builds a lot better than Tamar's and Mirri's love-at-first-sight in "Iron Ring". Eilonwy, with her rapid-fire similes and constant reprimanding, gets on Taran's nerves, but he learns to appreciate her for the gem she is. I hope that continues. And I also hope this series continues to be as good as the first. I've never been more proud to be a quarter Welsh.

This book still holds up after all this time...always. It delights my middle-aged self as it did my teen-aged self. This volume includes the beginning of the main character's quest, the assembling of the company, and world-building for the entire series. It's not short on action, plot, or pathos. The weaving of Welsh history and folklore adds further depth to the story. The witty dialogue, unique characters, and strong females make it timely as well as timeless. Alexander was a true master of the genre and age group. No childhood is complete without this series.

Link to review: [...]
Review's text: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!! Got it for $0.50 too! A friend recommended it to me. I am trying to expand what I read and I felt the fantasy part of my reading life had been neglected for the most part. The book itself is cute and full of life lessons.

View all my reviews

***

What I Want to Add:

This was a really good book! I had no idea what to expect - other than my friend telling me it was amazing. I have not read a great deal of fantasy, so I figured that a children's book might be the place to start. I was beyond pleased with it! I actually bought the rest of the series the last time I was at Half Priced Books! I cannot wait to read the rest!!

I loved the cover art on this book as well. Had my friend not been with me to recommend it, then I might have bought the book based off of the cover alone (a big "no-no" in book buying, I know). It would have been worth it though!! (I'm still not over that it was only $0.50 when I bought it!!!)

I would recommend this book to anyone really. Even if someone dislikes fantasy - I think they could find something positive about this book.

My rating: 5/5 stars. Truly an awesome book!!

Sincerely,

Taylor

Have questions, requests, etc.? Then feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander. This is set in the Land of Prydain, which is an imaginary land with two evil castles and one good castle. The good castle is Caer Dathyl and the bad castles are Annuvin and Spiral Castle. The plot is when Taran and all his friends battle against the Horned King because the Horned King is evil. The conflict is that the Horned King keeps attacking them. The resolution happens when Taran and his friends battle against the Horned King and Gwydion says the Horned King’s secret name. The Horned King burns up when Gwydion says his name. I like this book because it isn’t scary all through. What I don’t like is that the book is a little bit hard to understand. One of the characters in the story is called Gurgi and I like him because he talks funny. I recommend reading this series. Ben

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

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 The Chronicles of Prydain but getting distracted with something else and never continuing on. So, with 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

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.

The notable American writer Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) won several awards for the 5 volume "Prydian Chronicles". The first book in that series is "The Book of Three" published in 1963.

The following comments are for the unabridged audio book version of "The Book of Three" copyright 2004 by Random House. The audio book consists of 4 cassette tapes with a total play time of 5 hours and 3 mins. James Langton reads and does a commendable job with both the pronunciations and the changing of his voice as he represents the various characters.

I was pleased that this audio book was unabridged so my comments can be based upon the entire contents not just some editorial decision of what to leave out and what to include.

I well understand that these books are beloved by many readers but I must be honest and state that I am not inclined to listen or read any the additional volumes in the series. I found the plot convolutions predictable, the fantasy characters clichéd and the "quest" analogous to those found in Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and other writers. I am sure if I had read these books in the 60's and 70's, as a young adult I would of loved them. Of course I would not of had any knowledge of the literature to judge them against.

I would certainly recommend these books to young readers and then urge them to followed up with Lord Dunsany, Jack Vance, Lewis, Tolkien and Lovecraft if they find an interest in these types of tales.

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, 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.

Over the Christmas holiday, I reread "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander for the first time in almost three decades. It ranked as one of my favorites when I was a child and I was pleased to see that it remains an interesting tale. I first stumbled across the book when I was in second grade in 1982--and the book held up much better than the reviewer.

Alexander draws from his time in Wales and he uses mythology to create an enchanted world where magic flows, lore is important and ancient evil looks to ascend. Tolkien's fingerprints are all over the work--but then could a writer draw from the mythology of the British isles and not bump into Tolkien? Still, Prydain is not in the ballpark when compared to Middle Earth--and honestly that's apples and oranges. Alexander made no bones about it; he wrote for children and his works should be judged as such. Tolkien had a different audience.

"The Book of Three" works well for a number of reasons. Alexander is a fine craftsman of sentence and paragraphs and he keeps the plot moving. He also knows when to describe--and when horror and magic can be implied and not shown.The core characters will probably appeal more to children than adults--but again remember the audience. This remains a very solid book for children interested in fantasy adventure stories. Adults will probably find it less charming but it remains very readable and accessible after almost five decades in print.

Lloyd Alexander, The Book of Three (Henry Holt, 1964)

The Chronicles of Prydain has, over the past four decades, become one of kidlit's enduring classics. Somehow I managed to avoid reading them, despite being in elementary school in the seventies, and I decided that it's high time I rectified that error. The series begins with The Book of Three, and while it's a little slow to get going, once it gets underway it's quite the ripsnorter.

The Book of Three is the story of Taran, assistant pig-keeper of Caer Dallben. Which doesn't sound like all that much, but then Hen Wen, the pig in question, is in fact Prydain's only oracular pig. So when, in the course of a raid, Hen Wen escapes, Taran goes after her, not realizing that what he thinks is going to be a quick trip into the bush to rescue a wayward piece of pork is going to end up being just the beginning of a life-changing journey, complete with battles, princes, demons, witches, dwarves, and many other trappings of fantasy literature.

While it's tempting to see all this as derivative these days, remember the state of fantasy literature in the sixties; there was Lord of the Rings, and, well, that was basically it. (High fantasy of this sort had its big renaissance the next decade, and has been going strong ever since.) This isn't derivative, this is what everything else is derivative of, at least those books that aren't slavish in their devotion to Tolkien or actually attempting to blaze their own paths. Still, because it's been done so many times since, it does feel a bit dated these days, but there haven't been that many authors who've done it better; it's still well worth reading all these years later. *** ½

"Book of Three" kicks off the classic Prydain Chronicles, a six book cycle of stories set in Prydain, "where evil is never distant." In the first book, author Lloyd Alexander sprinkles his story with Welsh mythology, then tempers it with humor, action, and a unique coming-of-age story.

Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper at Caer Dallben, is bored stiff by his duties -- caring for the oracular pig Hen Wen. Though both the crabby enchanter Dallben and the gentle ex-warrior Coll tell Taran that he shouldn't complain, he wants to be a hero. Taran inadvertantly ends up in an adventure when he chases Hen Wen into the woods - only to be chased by a masked, horned man on horseback.

Taran is rescued by Gwydion, Prince of Don, who agrees to bring the overeager young man with him to another city to warn them about the Horned King, who is a servant of Arawn Deathlord. But the undead Cauldron-born capture Taran and Gwydion and bring them to Spiral Castle, the home of the enchantress Achren. Achren imprisons Taran; but he is set free by her "niece," a flaky-seeming but very sharp girl named Eilonwy. With Gwydion presumed dead, Taran must set out to warn his allies about the growing threat of the Horned King. Going with him is Eilonwy, a pleasant bard-king who frequently stretches the truth, the twiggy and ever-loyal Gurgi, a crabby dwarf, and a very special sword...

There are virtually no epic adventures for kids, let alone ones that adults can find absorbing as well. But the Prydain Chronicles definitely fit the category. Even though the action focuses primarily on Taran and his friends, the repercussions and events in them stretch all across Prydain, and Alexander never lets you forget it. And Gwydion's presence gives the feeling that rather than being the pivot of the conflict between good and evil, Taran is one of many cogs in a larger machine.

Alexander is at his most versatile in the Prydain Chronicles, varying between a formal "ye olde" style and then switching to one of the comical arguments between Taran and Eilonwy. Eilonwy and Fflewddur Fflam add humor, with Fflewddur's frequent fibs causing his magical harp strings to break and Eilonwy puncturing Taran's ego when he gets a little too pompous. Yet Alexander includes sinister moments as well as well: The evil Horned King, and the silent, unkillable Cauldron-Born.

Taran is an entirely human hero -- he longs for adventure but doesn't know what it's really like, takes himself too seriously, botches things, misjudges others, and has to learn from his mistakes. Eilonwy is a great counterpart, who keeps us from getting bored with Taran and by providing witty commentary on the proceedings. Gurgi initially seems sinister, but shows beginning signs of his steadfast loyalty.

Though Lloyd Alexander informs readers that Prydain is NOT Wales, it definitely has the the Horned King, Gwydion, and the sword Dyrnwyn are carefully woven into the plot. But as J.R.R. Tolkien did, Alexander doesn't simply cut-and-paste them from a mythology book. Instead, he makes them essential parts of the story, and thus makes them his own.

"The Book of Three" is not quite the same as its sequels -- it's not quite as grim, and it has a "younger" feel to the story. But the solid adventure, excellent writing and mythic clash of good and evil make it a good start to a classic series.

Readers who have watched the 1985 animated Disney film "The Black Cauldron" will no doubt recognize people and places from this novel by Lloyd Alexander. My advice is to enjoy the dark, creepy film but by all means, read Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series. It's simply the best fantasy series written, ever.

Before angry Tolkien fans berate me, let me just say that I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy in book form as well, but some of his poetry is ponderous to get through. Alexander's sparse writing introduces us to a young man, Taran, who has recently been made Assistant Pig-Keeper by Coll, a farmer who lives with Taran at Caer Dallben. The pig Taran is keeping is named Hen Wen and her gift is foresight. She runs away, terrified of a vision she had and Taran chases after her. He eventually meets his hero, Gwydion, who is a prince and a warrior.

Taran's journey to adulthood begins with this book. Most of the characters introduced her recur in the other Prydain novels, notably Fflewddur Fflam, Princess Eilonwy, Gurgi, Doli, Prince Gwydion, and Dallben. Taran learns much from Gwydion and his new companions about what being a warrior entails and before the end of the book, he has seen battle and engaged the book's foremost villain, the Horned King (also the villain of the 1985 movie).

Alexander is a terrific writer and anyone who loves fantasy or action novels should read this series. It will stay with you long after you've finished reading. I first read the series in 1985-86, when I was about 17. I'm curently re-reading it for the third or fourth time.

I read the Book of Three, and, quite honestly, it was one of the most unique books I have read. It started out with a young boy named Taran, who lived with a man named Coll. He wanted truly to get away from the small home that he had been condemned to. Then, just as he is longing for a more exciting place, the magical oracle pig named Hen Wen is frightened by something, and so runs away. It is then that Taran realizes that this is his chance to escape the monotonous drone of his everyday life and prove himself worthy of more exciting things. He runs after Hen Wen without looking back. As he looks through the forest, he suddenly runs right into the feared Horned King. He is known as the most powerful person in all of Prydain, even more so than Prince Gwydion. Taran, recognizing him from tales he had heard and passed off as a myth, runs away quickly! In all the racket, he bumps into a strange man who he doesn't recognize. Who is he? But then he realizes! Prince Gwydion! The ruler of Prydain, where Taran lives! Gwydion explains to him why the Horned King is in the forest. He wants Hen Wen, too! So Gwydion and the foolish assistant pig keeper Taran embark on an expedition to save Prydain. Along the way, however, an evil spirit named Arawn sends his dead-yet-alive cauldron-born to stop them. They capture them and bring them to Achren, an evil queen who lives in the Spiral Castle. The next thing Taran knows is that he is in her dungeon, and that he needs to find Gwydion. As he is sitting sadly in the dungeon, a little glowing bauble drops into his cell. Suddenly, there is a little girl peeking in at him, asking for her little bauble. Her name is Eilownwy, and she claims that she despises Achren, and knows another person in the dungeon. Taran just knows it is Gwydion, and together they form a plan to escape with Gwydion. Eilownwy knows secret passages that are unfamiliar to even Achren, so she plans to help Gwydion escape, and then lead Taran to him. But on the way out, one of the passages collapses, along the Spiral Castle! They escape just in time, and run to the forest where Gwydion is waiting. That's when Taran realizes... it's not Gwydion! He feels terrible! Gwydion was probably back in the castle when it collapsed! Gwydion must be dead! But who was it that he had assumed was Gwydion? Fflewddur Fflam, a wild looking man who is eager to help. Together they decide to warn the Sons of Don, the only ones who can help, but it proves to be harder than they thought. Read the book to find out what it is that can stop the Horned King, and if they ever find Hen Wen! The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander is definitely worth reading!

Lloyd Alexander's fantastic five-part Chronicles of Prydain begins with "The Book of Three", which is required reading for anyone who considers themselves a fantasy fan and/or a lover of children's literature - or in fact anyone who love a darn good book. And you can't stop there - make sure you have on hand the following volumes: "The Black Cauldron", "The Castle of Llyr", "Taran Wanderer" and "The High King." Three of them have won or been nominated for the Newbery Award, and are loved by readers all over the world; they belong on the shelf next to `The Lord of the Rings' and `The Chronicles of Narnia' in terms of how beloved they have become.

The series takes place in the mythical land of Prydain, a land of Alexander's own invention, but with many stylistic and legendary qualities borrowed from Wales' mythological traditions, as found in `The Mabinogian'. Elements such as the Fair Folk, the black cauldron and the oracular pig, and characters such as Gwydion and Arawn are taken from real sources, and as such give the books a depth and resonance that is often missing from other fantasy books in which the authors make up the entire world themselves (or, as is more likely, copy from Tolkien). The over-riding story arc throughout the book is the battle between good and evil as waged by the evil Dark Lord Arawn and the heroic Children of Don, as seen through the eyes of a young Assistant Pig-Keeper - Taran of Caer Dallben.

It sounds like a standard fantasy-fare, but Alexander infuses his work with delightful humour and wit, the afore mentioned shadow of Welsh legends, and colourful characters that are instantly taken to heart. Furthermore, he often puts more emphasis on the everyday vices and struggles of mankind rather than the more epic figures of good and evil, making the books more intimate and personal. The main struggle is encapsulated with Taran, a young boy living with the enchanter Dallben and the blacksmith Coll in a simple cottage. He dreams of glory and battle, but instead must spend his days tending Hen Wen, a white oracular pig. One day however, quite out of the blue he finds himself in the middle of an adventure, when a terrified Hen Wen flees into the forest, with Taran straight after her.

Arawn's most feared warlord, the Horned King, is gathering an army to march against the Children of Don's stronghold, Caer Dathyl, and Taran soon finds himself caught up in the race to find Hen Wen before the Horned King and warn Caer Dathyl. On the way he meets with many allies and enemies: the talkative Princess Elionwy, the wandering bard-king Fflewddur Fflam (and his magical harp that snaps a string every time he lies), the bad-tempered dwarf Doli and the strange half-man, half-animal creature named Gurgi. From the sinister Spiral Castle, to the peace of Medwyn's valley to the mystery of the underground kingdom of the Fair Folk, Taran leads his odd company - hopefully towards a victorious end.

Taran is a wonderful protagonist - full of lofty dreams and valour at the beginning, and gradually learning as the story progresses that war is not so glorious, and the burden of responsibility and leadership is a heavy one. Alexander constantly slaps him down, usually through the irrepressible Princess Elionwy, one of the most wonderful heroines of all time. Lessons about life, love, honour, loss, and tragedy are all contained within the story, but not so much that they become too preachy or overwhelming for younger readers. Alexander has a deft hand when it comes to incorporating such themes into his story, and balancing out these hefty messages with a healthy dose of humour (again, usually at the cost of Taran).

If you have never ventured into Prydain before, then prepared to read a series of truly excellent books that you'll treasure forever. It goes without saying that `the Chronicles of Prydain' have my very highest recommendation.

Taran dreams of a life as a brave warrior, fighting the deathless soldiers of Arawn Death-Lord. But a life like that seems out of reach for a lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper who doesn't know who his parents are or where he comes from. When his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, flees her pen after a terrible vision, Taran leaves the safety of Caer Dallben and sets out to find her. Along the way, he encounters a half-animal, half-human creature named Gurgi, the beautiful and clever Princess Eilonwy, and the stouthearted minstrel-king Fflewddur Flam. Together, the companions start on a journey that pits them against the Horned King, Arawn's most deadly minion. The Book of Three is the first book of the five Chronicles of Prydain, an epic story of one lost boy's quest to become a man and discover the true meaning of heroism.

The Chronicles of Prydain brilliantly tell the tale of a young man grappling with his identity. During the course of the series' five books, Taran grows from a whiny, naïve adolescent into a wise leader comfortable with himself and his adult masculinity. Young readers will feel encouraged by his successes and failures as he struggles to grow up. The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book in 1966. The High King won the Newbery Award in 1969.

The antlered man came charging at me his sword out ready to impale me. I tugged the mysterious sword Dyrnwyn on the hilt and it loosened a small amount. FLASH!! A young kid named Taran was charged with the duty of taking care of the mystical pig Hen Wen. She escapes when the Horned King and his band attacks the small village. Taran runs into the woods after her, but is cut with the blade of one of the warriors and is slowed down. He awakens to see a person next to him who he learns is the King Gwydion. They set off together to find the pig. They fight many people including the Cauldron Born by which they are captured and sent to Achren. She puts them into cells that Taran escapes from with the help of a young girl Eilonwy. The whole castle collapses with Gwydion inside. Taran finds the pig and he along with Fflewddur Fflam and Eilonwy continue on to reach the city of Caer Dathyl. They are caught by a war band from the Horned King. Eilonwy and Taran ride Gwydion's old horse to the sity to warn them but are stopped by the Horned King. They are pitched off the horse and the King approaches them Taran pulls the Dyrnwyn sword and kills the Horned King. This is a good book because it is very suspenseful.

At different points in this book Taran gets captured which makes a very suspenseful chapter. At the beginning of the book when all of the animals are frightened and run away, there is a rising sense of suspense because it makes it seem as if the danger is steadily approaching. When Taran, Eilonwy, and Fflam were being chased by the Cauldron Born, they were so close that they could see them. Then the Cauldron Born had to suddenly turn away to return to the Annuvin. They were so close to dieing or even worse punishment, death was less than fifty yards away. The whole story keeps you on your toes because you have no sense of what is going to happen next.

The characters in this story are very different than most others. It is not far from the opposite of the Hero scenario. Taran is a little boy who is very immature and has no sense of what is happening. The Hero Gwydion is not there to help him for the last three quarters of the book. The people around him have more of an idea of what is going on than he does. He grew up in an isolated community so he did not know of what had been going on with the war. It makes you want to know what it would feel like to be in his position of no knowledge.

This book ends in a very unexpected manner. It is very lucky that Taran did not die when he drew the sword. He was not even supposed to be able to draw the sword even a miniscule amount. It doesn't explain how it's power killed the Horned King. It leaves a mysterious twist on the end that no one would be able to explain.

This is a very good book that includes good characters and a very mysterious ending that you would have to read several times to figure out. Christopher Paolini is a author who wrote a very good book that you should definitely read.

J Eld

I had never heard of Lloyd Alexander or this series until I came across this book at the library. It is a tale that took me straight to my childhood, with medieval rules and characters that are so flawed they are believable and adventures to avoid evil characters in tow while seeking out a mysterious pig who has gone missing. I enjoyed the simplicity of this story telling and the complexity of its plot. That is a hard balance between image and word that Alexander has mastery of. I have two more of his books and I look forward to reading them soon.

While waiting for the next Harry Potter book like so many others, I've been shopping around for a good series of books to read since HP rekindled my love of reading (and left me hanging slightly depressed at the end of the fourth book that the story was "temporarily over" until the next book comes out). Most of the recommended series (like Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events) just didn't cut it. After the excitement, vivid imagery, and unforgettable characters of Harry Potter, they all seemed boring and shallow. Not so with Lloyd Alexander's marvelous Prydain Chronicles! My introduction to these books came several years ago (BEFORE our little wizard friend) when I saw Disney's animated film "The Black Cauldron." Remembering that movie, I went to my local library several weeks ago intending to check out the first of the Prydain Chronicles, "The Book of Three." Our library had five copies--and every single one was checked out. Rather than waiting, I purchased the book at a local bookstore and began reading it right away.
What an amazing book! The characters have real depth, and the story moves quickly. From its beginnings in Caer Dallben, Taran's country home, the story takes us to an evil castle, dungeons, a secret underground village, and many points in between. With gentle humor woven in (Fflewddur's harp, for instance) and believeable characters in dangerous and exciting situations, this is among the best books I've read in the past several years. I finished the book quickly, then headed back to the bookstore to buy the next installment in the Prydain Chronicles, "The Black Caulron" which I'm enoying now.
Harry Potter is a tough act to follow, but this book, written nearly 35 years earlier, does a remarkable job. It probably isn't fair of me to compare Harry Potter to The Prydain Chronicles, for the two are from different generations and tell very different stories. However, they are alike in the sense that both tell exciting coming-of-age stories with plenty of magic, humor, and terrific supporting characters. And, if you like "The Book of Three" there's no waiting for the rest of the Prydain Chronicles to be written and published--they were written in the 1960s and so, they're all available! You can read them just as fast as you like without having to worry about when the next will be available.

Assistan Pig-Keeper Taran is on the verge of manhood and as such young men do, he dreams of adventure and battles. Or if anything to get away from the too peaceful Caer Dallben. Unfortunately, as his 'title' suggests, his only role in life is to assist in taking care of the oracular pig, Hen Wen. But Hen Wen one day panics then runs away from Caer Dallben for no apparent reason. From then on, Taran is thrust into an adventure to help the land of Prydain from destruction. Long ago the Sons of Don had kept off the forces of evil King Arawn, Lord of Annuvin, from taking over Prydain. Now the High King Math and his son Prince Gwydion, descendents of the House of Don, are being threatened by Arawn's powerful warlord, the Horned King. Will Prydain be saved from a terrible fate? With a band of strange yet the best kind of friends anyone could ever have, Taran finds himself fighting so good can have victory over evil, so that Prydain will be safe from the hands of evil?
Lloyd Alexander, author of the "Prydain Chronicles", wrote this series which resembles a bit of Welsh mythology and legends. Though under the category for young adults, I can truly say that even adults would probably find the world of Prydain fascinating. Victories in battle, good versus evil, relationship between friends, and responsibilities, "The Book of Three" has many good morals which we should have in real life. With lots of adventure, magic, humor, and excitement, "The Book of Three" has it all!
The characters are what really draw you deep into the story. Taran is your average hero who is reaching the age of adulthood and is far from perfect. A bit cocky and rash in the beginning, he still possess courage and enthusiasm which makes him all the more likable. Then there are plenty more terrific characters who each have their own quirks: the wise and courageous Prince Gwydion, the funny creature Gurgi with his 'crunchings and munchings', Fflewddur Fflam the prince who wants to be a bard, Princess Eilonwy of the golden hair who is charming and a motor-mouth, Doli the dwarf who wants to become invisible, Dallben the wise, and Coll the warrior now farmer. And these characters are only the good guys! Of the bad people, I like Queen Achren the most, a very powerful witch who in beginning gave King Arawn his powers.
Well, I can't really tell you anymore about the story except that the book doesn't end the story! The Chronicle continues the adventures of Taran as he grows up in "The Black Cauldron", "The Castle of Llyr", "Taran Wanderer", and "The High King". My favorites are the first three books though the last two books are a must read, too. And if you are wondering, yes, most of the same characters show up in the rest of the books and plenty more new ones! Have fun reading "The Prydain Chronicles"!

Lloyd Alexander's "The Book of Three" is an absolutely fabulous fantasy novel. It has a wonderful cast of characters, despicable villains, dwarves, and other fantasy creatures. One thing that makes this book so good is the way you can feel for the characters. This novel also has a load of adventure and battles.
The novel revolves around Taran, an "Assistant Pig-Keeper" in the village of Caer Dallben. After an oracullar pig named Hen-Wen escapes, he is involved in an adventure to find the pig and deliver a message to The House of Don that The Horned King is in his way there.
But all of this is stalled after another turn of events, which has Taran held prisoner in a palace. Throughout the adventure Taran meets wonderful supporting characters like Eilonwy, Fflewddur, Doli, Medwyn and tons of other people.
The world that Alexander has created is fabulous in itself. With tons of villages and palaces, cultures and groups, you can never become bored with the land of Prydain.
One reason I think I enjoyed this novel so much is because of the adventure and action. Alexander does a fabulous job here, and any reader will become spellbound with the way he hooks you with this.
With all of this in the book, Alexander keeps the reader in suspense turning pages a mile a minute. He is able to weave everything together to make a most enjoyable read. Not to mention the amazing ending...
Some of the things presented in this novel are amazing too. Like the way Medwyn has a special ability to communicate with animals and they know they're safe with him. Hen-Wen's abilities are really cool too.
Being a novice to fantasy and wanting to read more epic stuff like Martin, Jordan, Hobb, etc., this was a great novel to really get me hooked. If you are starting with fantasy, then this is the perfect place to start.
I have not read a novel this good in a while, and hope the other entries in the series are just as good. I reccomend this novel to young children and adults alike. Anybody will be able to comprehend the novel and will be held in suspense.
"The Book of Three" is nonstop adventure from cover to cover. Lloyd Alexander takes some Welsh lore and mixes that in with his own outstanding ideas, and that equals a brilliant story. I definitely enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to reading the rest of "The Prydain Chronicles." This is a definite must read.
Happy Reading!

The "Book of Three," and the stories which follow it, are all rightly considered to be classics of their genre. I remember reading them for the first time, I believe it was during my summer vacation between second and third grade, and being totally absorbed. I remember spending hours drawing crayon pictures of all the characters, and hanging them all over the house... Every kid should have that experience.
A couple things I just want to point out. If you are a child reading these for the first time, or an adult buying them for a child, please be careful about all the violence in these books. Yes, violence is a part of the world, and it's good to prepare kids to think about it, but... As a parent reading this to your kids, maybe you could offset it a little, with stories about heroic figures who aren't so intent to wield a sword. For example, a good children's version of Plutarch's "Lives" will include a description of Archimedes, the absent-minded professor who was centuries ahead of his time in the physical sciences. Now that's what I call a hero! Or read to them about musicians, maybe. Why not? Fantasy doesn't always have to be about bloody combat.
Beyond that, be aware that these stories are based on real legends, and real (or at least POSSIBLY real, at one time) characters (Gwydion, Arawn, etc.) from Celtic-speaking Wales, which today is in the western part of the United Kingdom, AKA Great Britain. In fact, if you whisper the word "Prydain," and then whisper the word "Britain" you will see that they are the same word. It's true, Prydain was an early way to spell and pronounce what today we call "Britain." If any kids, or adults are interested, the most important book you should read to follow up on an interest in this body of Celtic mythology is, without question, "The Mabinogion," which also includes one of the earliest known authentic versions of the King Arthur tales. Or, do a search on the store.com for any book called "The Celts." There are several with that title, and all the ones I've seen are decent introductions to the Celts, including the Celts of Wales (who are called "Welsh," for any younger fellow Americans who might not know that) and their mythological figures.
Anyway, these stories are incredibly cool. Worth owning, without a doubt. Two thumbs up.

Lloyd Alexander has done an excellent job of creating a good fiction series that is actually more than just fiction, which is something that most modern fiction books fail to do. In this story, Taran is an Assistant Pig Keeper who longs to be a famous adventurer. Taran gets his wish, continually botches things while trying to be a warrior, and ends up concluding that perhaps he would rather be at home working in his garden than out fighting monsters and trying to save the world. It is a classic story of the battle between good and evil: there is a dark lord who has stolen the secrets of mankind and now man is forced to work the ground and labor to make a living. The dark lord tries to take over the world, and the forces of good rise to meet him. I would very much agree with those who think that Alexander borrows a lot from Tolkein. Gurgi is so similar to the "Smeagol" Gollum (when Gollum is nice for a while in the Two Towers) that it is almost impossible to miss the resemblance. It is not a bad thing at all, however, to have parts of a story be similar to Tolkein's. I would consider it a compliment actually.

The characters in this book are great. Taran is a rash, reckless young man trying to be a leader and adventurer and often failing miserably, Gurgi becomes his loyal follower and his method of talking is rather fun, Eilonwy is a rather humerous heroine who, of course, always baffles Taran, Doli is an exceptionally grumpy dwarf, and Fflewdur Fflam is an extraordinarily funny bard who has a harp with strings that break every time he lies (he often feels the need to "add color" to the truth). I have rarely come across books with such a fun set of characters, and Alexander does a masterful job of weaving them together in this story.

Overall grade: A-

Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper is tired with his duties, he wants to learn how to use swords and to be a hero. (A book about sword fighting tells him about this called the "Book of Three") He gets his chance when the pig he looks after runs away and he must band with a prince and a bard to find Hen Wen [the pig] in the forest they find Gurgi a small talking greyhound. But soon Taran finds out that a great evil is going to attack the land of Pyrdain and he must stop it and warn Pyrdain.

Never mind that Potter guy, this is much better! I am a children's librarian and I've long wanted to read this series. I had all the paperbacks on my personal bookshelf for years and often picked them up then put them back down. I have three children's series I want to read before I die: "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper (read it a few years ago--very good); The Narnia series (I'm trying desperately to get through "The Horse and His Boy"); and "The Chronicles of Prydain." I am thrilled to be able to tell you I recently finished this series. I just loved it! "The Book of Three" is one of the best in the series because it introduces the reader to most of the wonderful main characters. My favorites were Taran, the creature Gurgi (loved his way of talking, especially his fondness for "crunchings and munchings."), the bard Fflewddur Fflam, Prince Gwydion, Dalben and Coll. Eliwony sometimes got on my nerves but I learned to like her. I'm so glad this was a series of five books rather than one huge one. I devoured them one right after the other but if it had been one big book I may not have read it. I also loved the last book in the series, "The High King" because everything came together. One of my other favorites was "Taran Wanderer." The good vs. evil in this is so powerful. The characters, even minor ones, held this together. It is so very apparent that Taran grows up in these books. Eliwony does too but Taran is a likeable young boy and an even more likeable young man. The writing throughout the series is exquisite. I loved the line "...memory lives longer than what it remembers."

A group of us on the LibraryThing 75 challenge thread are reading the Chronicles Prydain this year. We started in January with the first book, The Book of Three. The first book in the Chronicles of Prydain didn't hold up to the second, The Black Cauldron, which I read many times when I was younger, it was a favorite. Perhaps these many reads of the sequel are what lead to me not quite enjoying it as much as I would have. We are introduced to quite a cast of characters. Our main being Taran, the assistant pig keeper, and his pig, Hen Wen (I love that name, I wonder if it means anything).

Taran meets up with an odd assortment of companions in the form of the annoying (at least to him) girl Eilonwy, and the bard, Fflewddur. They find themselves rushing to beat the bad guy, The Horned King, to the castle so they can warn the good guys about the attack. The story is enjoyable and easy to follow, but occasionally moved a little too fast for me. I could tell the author was trying to convey a feeling, but he moved on before it had sunk in. Overall I'm glad I read this book, and look forward to reading the sequel, The Black Cauldron, again next month.

3.5/4

This book begins Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, the books that turned me on to fantasy when I was about 10. At 36, I'm re-reading them, and they definitely stand the test of time.
Though set in an imaginary medieval kingdom, the Prydain chronicles remind me of Star Wars -- or, to be more exact, Star Wars reminds me of the Prydain Chronicles, which I read before Luke ever heard of the Force. A naive, headstrong boy of unknown parentage dreams of glory while spending his days in dull farm chores -- until he unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of a cosmic battle between good and evil. He journeys away from his home and discovers beauties and terrors he never dreamed of. Although the adventuring life isn't at all what he expected, and his mistakes are many, he eventually discovers his own inner strength in ways he never imagined.
These wise and witty books are gorgeously written. Adults with an ear for poetic language may recognize this; children may appreciate it without being able to identify exactly what makes this book more than just another sword and sorcery adventure.
Although the Book of Three is probably the weakest of the series, it is the introduction to the marvelous world of Prydain, so it's worth finishing to be ready for the full flavor of the other four. However, you can still pick up the series in the middle: I started with the last book & still got hooked!

As a young person, my introduction to fantasy was The Hobbit and the Chronicles of Prydain. The Book of Three was the first book I remember being allowed to read for book reports that was actually entertaining. Had I been left to the standard literary fare that had been foisted upon us, my love of reading and writing may never have really developed. However, the Book of Three and the subsequent Prydain novels led to more Tolkien which led to Jordan and to Martin. The novels, though targeted to a younger audience, hold up for adults.

When Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dalben, sets out to rescue the oracular white pig, Hen Wen who has been stolen by the Horned King, servant of Arawn Deathlord, he has no idea of the eventual end of the path on which he is taking his first, hesitant steps, nor of the life-long friends and companions he will meet.
Many believe that Alexander's "Prydain" books are derivative of J.R.R.Tolkien -- they aren't.
Rather, to a great extent, both derive from the same source, the ancient Welsh legends of the Mabinogion.
Personally, i prefer the use that Alexander has made of the material -- it is more human and alive, focused tightly on the characters rather than concerned primarily with a grand narrative sweep.
I was 26 when i came to these books; i'm 51 now, and in the intervening twenty-five years i have given away about eight or ten sets of them to family, friends and even chance acquaintances.
After twenty-five years, i still believe that there have been Very Few better works of children's/YA fantasy than these books... and not a lot even as good, for that matter.
If Harry Potter has left some young person you know with a hankering for the Good Stuff -- here it is.

The Book of Three is the wonderful beginning to my favorite fantasy series. There absolutely isn't a flaw in the entire Prydain series, and there is nothing more entertaining than reading them.
The Book of Three is the beginning of the story of Taran and his wonderful companions. Here, Taran is a very naive and young Assistant Pig Keeper. He is in charge of keeping Hen Wen, the oracular pig, but Hen Wen sences the danger of the Horned King near and breaks away from Taran. Taran, wanting to ammend his error, begins his quest after her, and that quest leads him to his group of life-long friends and companions (Eilonwy, Fflewdur, Doli, Gurgi, and others). The quest also puts him in great danger from the Horned King, and Taran learns a lot about life and particularly, heroism along the way.
Really, I can't say enough about the brilliance of this book and this series. Alexander does what any great writer should; he entertains with an outstanding story, he creates interesting, three-dimensional characters, and the relationships and events these characters experience bring the characters and the reader to a much greater understanding about life. These are wonderful books which anyone can enjoy and learn from.

{contains spoilers]
Book of Three is a wonderful book. It talks about Taran and his journey to find his lost pig Hen Wen. He meets the prince Gwydion and sets off with him to find out what a villain, the Horned King, is up to, and defeat him.Gwydion has a friend named Gurgi and he tells Taran where he saw Hen Wen. Taran loses Gwydion. Taran meets an ally named Eilonwy . They then find a king named Fflewddur Fflam and they become great friends. Taran finds Gurgi again and Gurgi joins the group. They eventually have a big fight with the horned king and rescue Hen Wen. Taran eventually finds Gwydion. They are happy. I recommend this book to people who like books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Artemis Fowl because just like this book they have a lot of action. If you are extremely easily scared in books, I don't recommend it, because you'll get really frightened in many chapters.

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 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.