The Chronicles of Prydain

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The Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander. The stories detail the adventures of a young man named Taran, who is awarded the honorific of Assistant Pig-Keeper but dreams of being a grand hero, and his companions Princess Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam the wandering bard and king, a hairy yet gentle creature called Gurgi, and a diminuitive dwarf named Doli. Inasmuch as a recurring facet of the series is the progression from youth to maturity, with especial concentration of this theme in Taran Wanderer,[1] the series could be considered a bildungsroman.

Thematically the novels siphon from the wells of Welsh mythology, particularly that of the Mabinogion.[2] The novels are not, however, retellings of those myths — a point Alexander himself makes in an author's note for The Book of Three — stories have been conflated, and characters have been changed in both role and motive, so a student of Welsh culture should be prepared as Arawn becomes the books' dark archenemy and Gwydion's negative traits are replaced with unclouded heroism.

Appropriately, the author's note also reveals the geography is ultimately derived from Wales, though Alexander notes that Prydain is separate from Wales both in physical geography and history.

Having garnered both a Newbery Medal (for The High King) and a Newbery Honor (for The Book of Three), the chronicles are recognized as a valuable contribution to the canon of classic children's literature. For many years since their publication The Chronicles of Prydain have held their own in sales and readership and may be comparable to other famous children's fantasy series such as The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Black Cauldron, an animated film loosely based on the first two books, was released by the Walt Disney Company in 1985, though the plot is dissimilar enough to be considered a poor adaptation of the books.[3] Concerning further adaptation of the Prydain novels, Alexander remarked "there is a very good possibility of other movies.[3]

Contents

[edit] The Chronicles of Prydain

  1. The Foundling and Other Tales from Prydain (1970) (prequel)
  2. The Book of Three (1964)
  3. The Black Cauldron (1965) — a 1966 Newbery Honor book
  4. The Castle of Llyr (1966)
  5. Taran Wanderer (1967)
  6. The High King (1968) - Winner of the 1970 Newbery Medal

[edit] Characters

(Listed of principal and secondary characters in the series, categorized under the novel in which they are first introduced.)

[edit] The Book of Three

Main article: The Book of Three

[edit] The Black Cauldron

Main article: The Black Cauldron (novel)
  • King Smoit
  • Kaw
  • Prince Ellidyr, son of Pen-Llarcau
  • Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch
  • Adaon
  • King Morgant
  • Gwystyl

[edit] The Castle of Llyr

Main article: The Castle of Llyr

[edit] Taran Wanderer

Main article: Taran Wanderer
  • Lord Goryon
  • Lord Gast
  • Llassar
  • Annlaw the Clay-Shaper
  • Hevydd the Smith
  • Dwyvach, the Weaver
  • Dorath
  • Llonio, Son of Llonwen
  • Carrick, the Shepherd

[edit] The High King

Main article: The High King

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Alexander, Lloyd (1999). "Author's note". Taran Wanderer. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0-8050-6134-7
  2. ^ Alexander, Lloyd (1999). "Author's note". The Book of Three. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0-8050-6132-0
  3. ^ a b Scholastic Inc. Lloyd Alexander's Interview Transcript Retrieved Aug. 27, 2006. "...I have to say, there is no resemblance between the movie and the book."

[edit] External link


The Chronicles of Prydain
Books
The Book of Three (1964) | The Black Cauldron (1965) | The Castle of Llyr (1966) | Taran Wanderer (1967) | The High King (1968) | The Foundling and Other Tales from Prydain (1970)
Characters
Achren | Angharad | Arawn | Coll | Dallben | Doli | Eiddileg | Princess Eilonwy | Fflewddur Fflam | The Horned King | Glew | Gurgi | Gwydion | Magg | Maibon | High King Math | Medwyn | Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch | Prince Rhun | Pryderi | Rhitta | Taran
Other media
The Black Cauldron (film) | The Black Cauldron (video game)
Animals
Gwythaints | Hen Wen | Kaw | Llyan | Lluagor | Melyngar | Melynlas
Places
Annuvin | Caer Cadarn | Caer Colur | Caer Dallben | Caer Dathyl | Cantrevs | Free Commots | Isle of Mona | Marshes of Morva | Spiral Castle | Summer Country
Other
The Book of Three | The Black Cauldron | Cauldron-Born | Dyrnwyn | Fair Folk | Golden Pelydryn | Huntsmen | Mirror of Llunet
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