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118th out of 816 books
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2,046 voters
The Arkadians
To escape the wrath of the king and his wicked soothsayers, an honest young man joins forces with a poet-turned-jackass and a young girl with mystical powers as they embark on a series of epic adventures through the land of Arkadia.
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
May 1st 1997
by Puffin
(first published June 29th 1995)
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Lloyd Alexander is best known for his outstanding Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series. And deservedly so; it's a great series, charming, unique, and with a powerful and moving sense of morality to it. It is, in many ways, a Lord of the Rings for the young-teen set.
For those who aren't familiar with Alexander, I should emphasize that he wrote most of his work before the modern craze for huge fantasy series and juvenile fantasy series (in both senses of the word "juvenile"). His work is far super...more
For those who aren't familiar with Alexander, I should emphasize that he wrote most of his work before the modern craze for huge fantasy series and juvenile fantasy series (in both senses of the word "juvenile"). His work is far super...more
I've been on a Lloyd Alexander kick recently. I re-read Westmark for the heck of it, and then while I was tracking down and waiting for its sequel, The Kestrel, I read every other Lloyd Alexander book on my shelves.
The Arkadians (published 1995), alas, brought me to the realization that Mr. Alexander, like many YA authors (L.M. Montgomery also falls into this category.), deals in types. What I mean is, although his characters and settings change, they are all, in some ways, very much the same. H...more
The Arkadians (published 1995), alas, brought me to the realization that Mr. Alexander, like many YA authors (L.M. Montgomery also falls into this category.), deals in types. What I mean is, although his characters and settings change, they are all, in some ways, very much the same. H...more
It's not so easy to classify the age range on this book - it is a chapter book, but it is definitely beneath middle school reading level, putting it in that slightly uncomfortable gray area behind "young adult" books and in front of "children's books." Still - whatever it is - The Arkadians is an excellent book for kids.
Alexander has a well-documented fascination with mythology - primarily Welsh, Greek, and Roman, but I'm sure that if you looked hard enough you could find a couple others sprinkl...more
Alexander has a well-documented fascination with mythology - primarily Welsh, Greek, and Roman, but I'm sure that if you looked hard enough you could find a couple others sprinkl...more
Three stars seems kind of low, but I'd have to say that "I liked it" is a better description of my feelings than "I really liked it." One of the praise-for-the-book quotes in the front describes The Arkadians as part Greek myth and part Canterbury Tales, and I can't think of a more apt characterization, unless it's to throw in part Lloyd Alexander because many of the characters reminded me fondly of the Prydain Chronicles. Our young, inexperienced hero embarks quite accidentally on a quest and i...more
I've had this book forever, but was never really drawn to it. I finally picked it up and was very pleasantly surprised to find a humorous and well-told story. I have a particular fondness for retellings of myths and fairytales. In this story, young Lucian is forced to leave his home after he discovers that some greedy government types have been stealing from the treasury. He soon joins forces with Fronto, a poet turned into a donkey, and Joy-in-the-Dance, a girl with some magical abilities that...more
Re reading this book again. I can't believe I didn't add this to my books. As great a read as I remembered.
Couldn't I give it six stars? No, really couldn't I?
"If a storyteller worried about the facts-my dear Lucian, how could he ever get to the truth."
Every so often you find that book that you just don't want to end. I finised two other books while reading this one so I could savor this book. It is a magical book of greek mythology, the power of storytelling, love, adventure, humor, and an occ...more
Couldn't I give it six stars? No, really couldn't I?
"If a storyteller worried about the facts-my dear Lucian, how could he ever get to the truth."
Every so often you find that book that you just don't want to end. I finised two other books while reading this one so I could savor this book. It is a magical book of greek mythology, the power of storytelling, love, adventure, humor, and an occ...more
I didn't read the Chronicles of Prydain books when I was a kid, but Aaron introduced me to them as an adult. It's a fun series, and I really liked them. When I was in the library a while back, I spied this book on their "for sale" cart, and I thought Aaron might like to have it, since he is such a Lloyd Alexander fan. It had been sitting on our shelf for a while and neither of us had read it, but I needed something to read while waiting for my kids at swim lessons, and didn't really have time to...more
Feb 13, 2013
Emily
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nostalgia-city,
childrens-books
"Then all the tales that I've heard from Oudeis, Gold-Horse, Buckthorn -- someday I want to write them down so they won't be forgotten. Those and everything that's happened to me, as well. Sometimes they all get mixed up together in my head, as if the tales were my life and my life was a tale."
I came back to The Arkadians because I read Lauren Groff's Arcadia earlier this year. They are absolutely nothing alike.
The Arkadians draws heavily on Greek mythology. Lucian, bean-counter in the palace of...more
The first time I started to read this book some years past, I just couldn't get into it. Oddly enough, this time I really enjoyed it. I liked the skill in which the Greek myths were interwoven into the plot. They weren't exactly as Homer may have told them, but that was part of the point. Stories are shaped with each retelling. The poet/donkey character, Fronto, constantly comments on stories and how they should be told and what elements make up a good story. It's an entertaining read. It's Chil...more
Very similar in both character and themes to his Prydain Chronicles. Except there we had more Welsh/British mythology tinging the story and here we have the Greco-Roman mythology. I went through a huge mythology phase and I loved the Prydain books so I had no problem with this. If you're looking for something completely different then you'll be disappointed. Also, I would personally recommend that the Prydain series be the first Alexander books you read. After that, go for whatever. If you liked...more
I finished this book yesterday and absolutely fell in love with it.
I remember loving Lloyd Alexander books as a kid and even purloined one of the names of his characters for the name of my own character. (Shh... don't tell anyone)
I haven't read any of his books in a very long time and don't even remember my overall opinion of them.
This book deftly weaves together versions of old Greek myths and a somewhat casual way, almost making fun of themselves. As I sit here and write this review I am remin...more
I remember loving Lloyd Alexander books as a kid and even purloined one of the names of his characters for the name of my own character. (Shh... don't tell anyone)
I haven't read any of his books in a very long time and don't even remember my overall opinion of them.
This book deftly weaves together versions of old Greek myths and a somewhat casual way, almost making fun of themselves. As I sit here and write this review I am remin...more
Grades: 5 to 8 Genre: Fantasy
Lucian is a lowly bean counter, but due to his own diligence at his task he finds out that two of the king’s advisors are up to no good. As he realizes the perilous situation that he is in, he decides that his only option is to run away. He quickly meets a poet, Fronto, who has been turned into a donkey and they decide to travel together to try to break his curse. Along the way, they meet Joy-in-the-Dance, a young priestess who is running away from the king, as he di...more
Lucian is a lowly bean counter, but due to his own diligence at his task he finds out that two of the king’s advisors are up to no good. As he realizes the perilous situation that he is in, he decides that his only option is to run away. He quickly meets a poet, Fronto, who has been turned into a donkey and they decide to travel together to try to break his curse. Along the way, they meet Joy-in-the-Dance, a young priestess who is running away from the king, as he di...more
This was just ok. Maybe that's because I just finished a series I really liked, and it's always hard to get into something new. This is from the juvenile fantasy section. I really enjoyed this author's works when I was that age, and hadn't heard of this one, so I decided to try it. Just not super-engaging. I'll still read his works, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. By the end, though, I was enjoying it. It's based on Greek Mythology (another thing I found fascinating in my middle-school...more
An oddity, but a pleasant one. Like in The Journey of Prince Jen and
The Iron Ring
, Lloyd Alexander here chooses a culture and rearranges it, creating an entirely new fantasy realm in its place. But, though I am loath to say the it doesn't work as well as the two aforementioned novels, it is sadly true. Working with an already mythological culture shifts things a little, as one can more directly compare Alexander's world with the one he is taken from. His does not hold up so well. But though it...more
I found this book in the library one day when I was 15, and I'm glad I did.
The Arkadians is a wonderful tale of Greek influenced adventure, complete with a young man seeking to find himself, a fair maiden who is most definitely not helpless, a bear king, a goat boy, wicked soothsayers armed with cleavers, and a poet turned jackass.
It's a rollicking adventure that I wholeheartedly enjoyed, I encourage you to give it a read.
The Arkadians is a wonderful tale of Greek influenced adventure, complete with a young man seeking to find himself, a fair maiden who is most definitely not helpless, a bear king, a goat boy, wicked soothsayers armed with cleavers, and a poet turned jackass.
It's a rollicking adventure that I wholeheartedly enjoyed, I encourage you to give it a read.
In this fun, light-hearted adventure, Alexander explores how stories come about and how they are told. He populates Arkadia (Alexander's imaginary Greece?) with characters whom the readers can easily imagine as the forbears of mythical creatures like centaurs or satyrs. He also interlaces the main tale with entertaining smaller stories, each Alexander's own rendition of a famous myth. A very fun read.
Based very much on Roman and Greek mythology and story telling Lloyd Alexander writes yet another lovely book for younger readers. This book is funny, with great characters and a well paced plot. Another great recommendation for parents since there are a good many wonderful themes and it's a safe book (little violence, no swearing, no drug use/sex).
True to his other works, Lloyd Alexander brings to life another story full of adventure in The Arkadians. This book has an easy-to-follow storyline, with enough action and humor to keep readers from wanting to put it down. It would be a good recommendation for young readers who are comfortable with chapter books and are interested in stories of adventure.
Alexander's whimsical story-telling voice is as strong as ever, but the plot and mythic elements did not move me in the way his other works have.
I felt the re-imagining of traditional tales in this context to be pleasant enough, but it didn't add to my experience, or draw out the spark I was hoping for.
I felt the re-imagining of traditional tales in this context to be pleasant enough, but it didn't add to my experience, or draw out the spark I was hoping for.
I read this book about 5 years ago and decided to read it again because I enjoyed so much. I'm disappointed to say that it wasn't as good the second time. Although, I will always love to read books written by Lloyd Alexander.
My husband liked this book but doesn't quite know why, as he admits that the plot isn't as well-structured as in the Prydain series. Taran and Eilonwy and other old friends are reincarnated here as Ancient Greeks.
Reminds me of the Chronicles of Prydain series, similar theme, interesting characters some of whom share traits with the Prydain folks. This was published in 1995 though and the Chronicles were about 30 years previous, 1963-68....more
This is my all-time favorite Lloyd Alexander, who may be my favorite children's book author. To watch his, as usual, endearing characters in the midst of retold Greek myth was great.
Jan 08, 2013
Miranda-Hermione
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of the prydain books
Shelves:
fairy-tale-retellings,
children-s
Lloyd Alexander loosely retells Greek myths with his characteristic style: be prepared for feisty heroines; good-hearted young heroes; comical companions, and ever-mornful bards.
An adventurous and playful jaunt through a fictionalized ancient Arcadia, with an ending akin to a Shakespearean comedy: peace in the land and a triple wedding.
I really should have read this when I was younger to appreciate it. It definitely has some women's rights undertones in it...ironic, since the author is a man.
A fun read, very much like a fable. At times I thought I was in a Greek Wizard of Oz. Good book, but not one of Alexander's best.
I enjoy Lloyd Alexander and his use of all ready well-known mythology and folk tales. I once had a friend criticize J. K. Rowling because she did not have true originality. What is originality sometimes then to take some well known ideas or stories and give them a twist. I enjoy the echo of familiarity. This is much of what Lloyd Alexander has in this book as well as others and the twist is delightful.
I didn't really like this story and would say that this is definitely not Lloyd Alexander's best work.
The Arcadians was underwhelming, especially since I always have high hopes for Lloyd Alexander books. Alexander's idea of rehashing familiar mythology and spinning them in such a way that women play a more prominent role is a good one, but the execution wasn't great, and I didn't think his spoofing was particularly funny. Although I think that a younger audience might enjoy this book better, I don't know if they would recognize the Greek mythology that Alexander is spoofing. I suppose that, if t...more
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Lloyd Chudley Alexander (January 30, 1924 - May 17, 2007) 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 i...more
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“Seize the day, whatever's in it to seize, before something comes along and seizes you.”
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“Any fool can tell a story. Take a few odds and ends of things that happen to you, dress them up, shuffle them about, add a dash of excitement, a little color, and there you have it.”
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Feb 13, 2013 12:56pm