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63rd out of 414 books
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534 voters
Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain #4)
The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions!
Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess;...more
Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess;...more
Paperback, 218 pages
Published
May 16th 2006
by Square Fish
(first published 1967)
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I really enjoyed Taran Wanderer. Taran grew up quite a bit, which made him more fun to read as a protagonist. I really liked the characters that Alexander introduced. Some were nuanced; some were merely Good (like the people of the Free Commots), but still likeable and for once not bumbling, if still somewhat whimsical.
This book follows Taran as he quests for his parentage. Alexander introduces us to some of his most nuanced, interesting characters yet, such as Craddoc; and Taran himself grows...more
This book follows Taran as he quests for his parentage. Alexander introduces us to some of his most nuanced, interesting characters yet, such as Craddoc; and Taran himself grows...more
I really liked this book. It, along with The Black Cauldron, is probably my favorite in the series so far.
Taran Wanderer focuses entirely on Taran as he struggles to find out where he comes from and who his parents are. It is uniquely written, as each chapter covers (more or less) one leg of his journey, as he confronts some problem, learns from it, and continues his journey. It is very satisfying to see Taran do things right and succeed in everything he does through his own wit, rather than bei...more
Taran Wanderer focuses entirely on Taran as he struggles to find out where he comes from and who his parents are. It is uniquely written, as each chapter covers (more or less) one leg of his journey, as he confronts some problem, learns from it, and continues his journey. It is very satisfying to see Taran do things right and succeed in everything he does through his own wit, rather than bei...more
This may be my favorite of all the "Chronicles of Prydain," Lloyd Alexander's classic YA fantasy series.
For the most part it lacks an adventure or "quest" to drive the plot. There are a few small, episodic quests with magic and danger and fighting, but for the most part it wanders around as aimlessly as the hero, following Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran on a somewhat hapless attempt to discover his parentage.
(I don't want to spoil too much here, but the important lesson is that it doesn't matter w...more
For the most part it lacks an adventure or "quest" to drive the plot. There are a few small, episodic quests with magic and danger and fighting, but for the most part it wanders around as aimlessly as the hero, following Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran on a somewhat hapless attempt to discover his parentage.
(I don't want to spoil too much here, but the important lesson is that it doesn't matter w...more
Single review for the Chronicles of Prydain, as they are similar in style and quality and could have been produced as a single large volume of five sub-books.
The Chronicles of Prydain are children's books. Some children's books hold up well when read by an adult, but these are definitely for kids and do not carry any added depth. The adventures are amusing but flat. You might smile at Eilonwy's sass and moxie and Fflewdur Fflam's tall tales. But you're probably also going to cringe at Taran's e...more
The Chronicles of Prydain are children's books. Some children's books hold up well when read by an adult, but these are definitely for kids and do not carry any added depth. The adventures are amusing but flat. You might smile at Eilonwy's sass and moxie and Fflewdur Fflam's tall tales. But you're probably also going to cringe at Taran's e...more
I re-read all of the Chronicles of Prydain recently and surprised myself by liking this book the most. I know that wasn't the case in my first reading, back when I was in middle school. In fact, if memory serves, this was probably my least favorite, a long slog a had to get through before diving into the treats in the final book.
Now that I'm older and wiser...or maybe now that I have a longer attention span and a greater appreciation for the difficulties of "scratching for my own worms," I reall...more
Now that I'm older and wiser...or maybe now that I have a longer attention span and a greater appreciation for the difficulties of "scratching for my own worms," I reall...more
“Who am I?”
That is the question Taran seeks to answer in book four of the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran has already had many adventures, fought many foes, won several battles, and fallen in love with Princess Eilonwy. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, yet he is still an Assistant Pig-Keeper, an orphan with no known history. Were his parents peasants, or could he be of noble blood, making him worthy of the princess? This is what he seeks to learn, and he covers all of Prydain in his q...more
That is the question Taran seeks to answer in book four of the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran has already had many adventures, fought many foes, won several battles, and fallen in love with Princess Eilonwy. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, yet he is still an Assistant Pig-Keeper, an orphan with no known history. Were his parents peasants, or could he be of noble blood, making him worthy of the princess? This is what he seeks to learn, and he covers all of Prydain in his q...more
This is the 4th book of the Prydain series. We continue to see Taran grow as an individual and make choices that are not usually a part of youth. In the beginning he was head strong and bent on being a hero, someone who fought with others and desired greatly to be able to use a sword. In this book, we see him once again making difficult choices and thinking through what must be done instead of what he wants to be done. He is seeking his parents. He has fallen in love with Eilonway and since she...more
I'd read this book many years ago...Lloyd Alexander's books were a staple of my youth. But I recently came across a copy of this one particularly in a bookstore and reread it. When I was younger I may not have had a favorite in the series, but now I'm quite sure that this is the best of them.
Many fantasy series subscribe to the classic tradition of "The Hero grows up through his adventures." But they often try to shoehorn it in with the rest of the action. This series actually stopped the progre...more
Many fantasy series subscribe to the classic tradition of "The Hero grows up through his adventures." But they often try to shoehorn it in with the rest of the action. This series actually stopped the progre...more
Lloyd Alexander's fourth book, Taran Wanderer, is one of the best books in the Prydain Chronicles. I enjoy this book because of how Taran, the main character of the entire series, finally decides to venture out of Caer Dallben to discover if he had noble blood or just some lowly farmer. The real value and interest about the book is that Taran, and the reader, will learn some of life's hardships and values.
One example comes from Hevvyd the smith, “Life is a forge, say I!” telling Taran that life...more
One example comes from Hevvyd the smith, “Life is a forge, say I!” telling Taran that life...more
Taran has finally admitted his feeling for the Princess Eilonwy. The problem now is that he doesn't believe that his bloodlines are worthy of her. She is a princess after all, and he is but a lowly assistant pig keeper, a orphan that does not know where he really came from. So he sets of with the ever faithful Gurgi as his companion in a quest to find out who he is.
We are visited by several old friends from previous books in the series and introduced to a handful of new bad guys. I have to say t...more
We are visited by several old friends from previous books in the series and introduced to a handful of new bad guys. I have to say t...more
Another excellent volume in the Prydain Chronicles series, this one is quite different from the others. As a teenager, this was my least favorite of the five, but now as an adult, I recognize it as a great work of fantasy literature, and in some ways it is even better than the others.
While the plot may seem a bit disjointed and directionless if viewed as a typical fantasy adventure like its predecessors, the arc of the plot makes more sense as "literary fiction," where the real action is interna...more
While the plot may seem a bit disjointed and directionless if viewed as a typical fantasy adventure like its predecessors, the arc of the plot makes more sense as "literary fiction," where the real action is interna...more
Like with the other books in this series, straightforward storylines and developments are at once to be admired and resisted. Taking on the task of discovering the nature of his heritage, Taran sets out to find an answer from the witches and then gropes the landscape in pursuit of clues. Predictably, the issue of class struggle is raised, but portrayals of noble serfs and childish royalty are painfully simplistic.
Taran's character evolves rapidly during his travails here, making me think he wou...more
Taran's character evolves rapidly during his travails here, making me think he wou...more
This, like The Black Cauldron, is only just short of five stars by way of a certain something I can't put my finger on.
Nonetheless, while something of a boy's club without Eilonwy around, Taran Wanderer is a very, very well-done coming of age, that I kind of wish I'd read as a kid myself. For someone who's been reading the whole series, Taran develops so slowly and realistically that by the end it feels like the other characters realize what a hero and a bad-ass he is before the reader does.
The...more
Nonetheless, while something of a boy's club without Eilonwy around, Taran Wanderer is a very, very well-done coming of age, that I kind of wish I'd read as a kid myself. For someone who's been reading the whole series, Taran develops so slowly and realistically that by the end it feels like the other characters realize what a hero and a bad-ass he is before the reader does.
The...more
It's amazing, but all four books of this series thus far have one thing in common. They've taken more than one third of the book to capture my attention, but then held it well to the end. I applaud this entry for being different in formula from its predecessors. After Taran, the assistant pig keeper had the same type of adventure with an arrogant prince and being belittled for his title...I had to take a lengthy break after the third book, "The Castle of Llyr." Refreshingly, this time Taran leav...more
The fourth book of the Prydain Chronicles takes a slightly different turn. Instead of fighting off hordes of monsters or saving his princess, Taran sets out to find out his parentage. Of course, this has everything to do with the Princess, but it's a journey that people go on every day. Not everyone finds what they are seeking. Taran's hope is that he finds he is the son of Noble birth so he may ask the Princess to marry him. On his journey, he takes Gurgi with him, and is later joined by Fflewd...more
It was fortuitous that I happened to borrow and read "The Foundling" before I read this book because both books complimented each other so perfectly since there was a chapter in "The Foundling" entitled, "The Smith, the Weaver, and the Harper" which expands on the lore of how Arawn swindled the each craftsmen out of their magical tools which gave me additional insight when Taran tries to learn a trade from the villagers. For me, Taran the Wanderer had more interesting characters and events. I re...more
Character development.....
Even it was just for one character, but it was well-paced and deep enough to notice.
I love this book how Taran might lost evrery fight he fought yet he stood up and continue his journey.
I love this book how Taran could see clear of those lords and kings who want to be what they was lacked of.
I love this book how Taran believed the word of that guy who lied to him, then believed that guy was his father, Taran accepted that lie as fact and do his best in that roles.
I love...more
Even it was just for one character, but it was well-paced and deep enough to notice.
I love this book how Taran might lost evrery fight he fought yet he stood up and continue his journey.
I love this book how Taran could see clear of those lords and kings who want to be what they was lacked of.
I love this book how Taran believed the word of that guy who lied to him, then believed that guy was his father, Taran accepted that lie as fact and do his best in that roles.
I love...more
Jun 22, 2010
Patrick
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
junior-fiction-elementary-age,
young-adult
My old book is not this edition, but the old white cover is closest to this picture with the bald sorcerer and Taran.
It's OK just like the others. One good thing is that the disjointed, episodic writing style that bothered me in the first three books actually is OK here since Taran is just wandering around being impetuously noble and winning hearts in preparation for the last book. Fortunate coincidence plays a huge role in all of these books, but the Morva thing was really bad, and the whole Mo...more
It's OK just like the others. One good thing is that the disjointed, episodic writing style that bothered me in the first three books actually is OK here since Taran is just wandering around being impetuously noble and winning hearts in preparation for the last book. Fortunate coincidence plays a huge role in all of these books, but the Morva thing was really bad, and the whole Mo...more
Taran has decided that he must learn his history, and since Dallben can not tell him where he came from, Taran sets out to discover the truth for himself. He finds himself in conflict with greedy witches and warlocks, feuding lords, and cynical bandits. However, he also meets the farmers and shepherds of Prydain. He works alongside a smithy, a weaver, a potter, and a man who feeds his family by luck.
This is, quite simply, a beautiful book. It strongly reminds me of The Sword in the Stone, which...more
This is, quite simply, a beautiful book. It strongly reminds me of The Sword in the Stone, which...more
The fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain. Taran, despairing that he will ever know himself, leaves Caer Dallben with Gurgi to find the Mirror of Llunet, which will show himself as he truly is. Taran meets greedy cantrev lords, aids a generous king, is taken captive by a mad wizard, and apprentices himself to a smith, a weaver, and a potter.
In some ways, this is the weakest of the books, being a series of only occasionally suspenseful events, with little in the way on conflict or climax, and...more
In some ways, this is the weakest of the books, being a series of only occasionally suspenseful events, with little in the way on conflict or climax, and...more
Based on the first time I read these, as well as reputation, I expected this to be a relatively boring chapter in The Chronicles of Prydain, a sort of somehow necessary segue to the final chapter of the series. Imagine, then, my surprise when I enjoyed it thoroughly! It's definitely different from the preceding three books--It's the longest so far, it covers the longest period of time, and it's pretty unique in style and form, but it's a very interesting coming-of-age story. His exact age still...more
As a child this was my least favorite of the Prydain Chronicles. After all, there are no battles and no fierce Eilonway wending her way through their struggles.
However, as an adult this is by far my favorite of all the books. I actually have to keep several copies of these books around. I have my nice copies, that even I hardly touch and I have my ratty 'loved' copies. The loved copies are some of my most prized possessions. They are full of underlined quotes that are simply fabulous. I have ne...more
However, as an adult this is by far my favorite of all the books. I actually have to keep several copies of these books around. I have my nice copies, that even I hardly touch and I have my ratty 'loved' copies. The loved copies are some of my most prized possessions. They are full of underlined quotes that are simply fabulous. I have ne...more
12/6/11 - 4/10
I originally read the Prydain series in elementary school and remembered liking them. I had mentioned them in the past to my daughter and she's been wanting to read them for a while. So the whole family decided to read them. Unfortunately, they were not nearly as good as I remembered. The stories were pretty simplistic and childish with not a lot of detail. The characters were one dimensional with repetitive descriptions based off a single characteristic. A couple characters actual...more
I originally read the Prydain series in elementary school and remembered liking them. I had mentioned them in the past to my daughter and she's been wanting to read them for a while. So the whole family decided to read them. Unfortunately, they were not nearly as good as I remembered. The stories were pretty simplistic and childish with not a lot of detail. The characters were one dimensional with repetitive descriptions based off a single characteristic. A couple characters actual...more
This book chronicled my favorite part of the bildungsroman - the sometimes meandering journey toward self-realization, with the accompanying maturation/gaining of skills. Much better executed and less predictable than the rest of the series.
Having long wondered about his parentage (and hoping that he is of noble birth) Taran goes to seek the truth. Traveling through Prydain with the faithful Gurgi, he once again encounters the fate-like Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch, as well as Fflewddur the harpist, and Doli the dwarf. Eventually though, he must face his destiny alone.
Though The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book, and The High King a Newbery Medal winner, Taran Wanderer has always been a personal favorite, for its strong argument...more
Though The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book, and The High King a Newbery Medal winner, Taran Wanderer has always been a personal favorite, for its strong argument...more
The first and final parts of the book, where Taran wanders about Prydain seeking an identity for himself and to do some right by the world, are uneven at best. The parts where he wanders the Free Commots seeking a profession feel like a fable, where there isn't that much emotionally on the line but you can feel a purpose in Alexander's writing; the parts where Taran witnesses and helps resolve squabbles between two cantrev lords feel irrelevant, like a side tale, fleshing out Prydain but not con...more
(Genre:Children's fiction/fantasy) Book 4 of 5 in the Prydain Chronicles. This is one of my favorite books. Taran desperately wants to know his parentage and discover who he really is. He leaves the safety of Caer Dallben with Gurgi at his side to uncover this mystery. The personal growth and understanding that he gains by the end of the journey is wonderful and sets the stage for the final book, "The High King". I most enjoyed the end of the book where Taran spends time with the craftsmen of th...more
Taran finds himself at lose ends after his adventures have sent him back to Caer Dallben. He is determined to find out exactly who he is and sets off with faithful Gurgi to find out.
To the marshes to speak with the thinly disguised fates who send them on a mad dash away from their lair. A shepard, a smith, a weaver, and a potter all show Taran things about himself and even though he fights it at times he is gaining self-knowledge.
Greater character development and better written than The Book of...more
To the marshes to speak with the thinly disguised fates who send them on a mad dash away from their lair. A shepard, a smith, a weaver, and a potter all show Taran things about himself and even though he fights it at times he is gaining self-knowledge.
Greater character development and better written than The Book of...more
At times, this book dragged on and I wished for some of the excitement that I was used to from the previous 3 books; however, that said, it was an important part of Taran's search of himself and who he is that shouldn't be missed. It was comforting to see the loyal bard and the grumbly Doli again. I did miss Eilonwy, though. Taran Wanderer is not the same boy as we saw from earlier books and as he grows the readers grow with him. It made me think at least once or twice of my own yearnings to tru...more
I really wasn't expecting much with this book, since at first glance it seemed to be sort of a "bridge" book, and from what I have read, it was written that way as well. I loved the book, however, and found it to be a great morality epic in and of itself. Reminded me a lot of Gulliver's Travels in its creative use of the various flawed people that were mete on the journey. I am now anxiously awaiting the The High King, which I will be starting soon.
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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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“Trust your luck, Taran Wanderer. But don't forget to put out your nets!”
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15 people liked it
“Llonio said life was a net for luck; to Hevydd the Smith life was a forge; and to Dwyvach the Weaver-Woman a loom. They spoke truly, for it is all of these. But you,' Taran said, his eyes meeting the potter's, 'you have shown me life is one thing more. It is clay to be shaped, as raw clay on a potter's wheel.”
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14 people liked it
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May 10, 2012 06:16am