Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain Book 4)
by Lloyd Alexander
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Read in September, 2005
During November I've also finally read the Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. This series consists of The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King. These books were first recommended to me by my friend Wolf (yes, this is his real name & not some weird RenFaire thing gone awry) during the 3rd or 4th grade. I finally read them and really enjoyed them - even though they're obviously intended for younger readers.
This is a fantasy series with so...more
This is a fantasy series with so...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Fantasy Fans
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 t...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 t...more
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Alexander's books progressively get better, and so does the character who learns many new things about himself as well as new skills. Just as in life we learn many things unexpectantly during our course of experiences. One particular vignette involving an exchange between the protagonist and a stable boy, then followed by another verbal wrestling match between Taran and the lord proved to be rather well written and amusing. Sometimes it pays to learn how to manipulate words in such a way that...more
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Taran Wanderer
By: Lloyd Alexander
This is another interesting book written by Lloyd Alexander. He keeps the reader enthralled with his work. The setting is in the land of the Free Commots which can best be described as a combination of great farming land with all of the best craftsmen in the land. I liked the book because of how much Taran progresses in it. To appreciate it fully you must first read the first three books of this series. Taran, the main character, progresses so mu...more
By: Lloyd Alexander
This is another interesting book written by Lloyd Alexander. He keeps the reader enthralled with his work. The setting is in the land of the Free Commots which can best be described as a combination of great farming land with all of the best craftsmen in the land. I liked the book because of how much Taran progresses in it. To appreciate it fully you must first read the first three books of this series. Taran, the main character, progresses so mu...more
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Read in February, 2008
The last tape of this audiobook is stuck in my car stereo as it's being repaired. When Jill* was rear-ended last week, the face flew off my stereo, and I didn't think to get the tape out , too. And now that I plan to replace the stereo once Jill has recuperated, I don't know that I'll ever finish that last tape.
I've long felt that Taran Wanderer (Book 4) is the weakest of The Chronicles of Prydain series, but I was surprised how much of this story I remembered, as opposed to ...more
I've long felt that Taran Wanderer (Book 4) is the weakest of The Chronicles of Prydain series, but I was surprised how much of this story I remembered, as opposed to ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Helen by:
jameslhelena@bellsouth.net
In this episode of The Chronicles of Prydain, Taran is on a quest to find himself. He wants to find out who his parents were and hopefully if he is of noble birth. He sets off with his faithful companion, Gurgi, and travels first to the Marshes of Morva to find out if the three enchantresses who live there can tell him who his parents were. He then travels throughout many realms of Prydain in search for his identity and has many adventures. He hopes to find the Mirror of Llunet, which may gi...more
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Read in April, 2008
I love this series from Lloyd Alexander! I even named my daughter Taran, after the main character. I read them the first time at BYU as part of a children's literature course, and I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of them before. This is a perfect series for anyone who loves fantasy, such as the Lord of the Rings, but is less bloody and doesn't have as much poetry. It's also fantastic for kids interested in this type of literature, because there are wonderful life lessons to be learned ...more
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Read in May, 2008
It's interesting that this is the only book of the series that didn't win or get nominated for an award, but so far it's hands-down my favorite. The lessons and morals of the story are old and well-known, but Alexander still approaches them in an interesting way. I really liked Taran's wanderings and all the minor characters he meets. I also liked how this book was nothing like Lord of the Rings -- like I said, it's not exactly original, but at the same time, it is, if that makes sense.
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Read in January, 1997
recommended to Tamra by:
my momrecommends it for: everyone!!
The first time I read this book I LOVED it. I fell in love with Taran all over again. Things come easily to me, usually, but there are certain things I can't do very well, so I could relate to him not being able to do the one thing he really wanted to do.
This is by far my favorite book in the series. The whole series is lovely, though, and should be read by everyone!! I read it again as an adult (and finally finished the High King) and loved it just as much.
This is by far my favorite book in the series. The whole series is lovely, though, and should be read by everyone!! I read it again as an adult (and finally finished the High King) and loved it just as much.
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recommends it for:
12 to 20
I must admit this is the only Lloyd Alexander book that I've read that I have greatly disliked! I found it boring and absolutely pointless.
The good thing is, that you CAN skip it if you decide to read the story since it ends basically where it started off. Though, if you get a bit confused with some of Taran's old friends that appear in The High King, it's because they were introduced in Taran Wanderer.
Still, I didn't like it. :)
The good thing is, that you CAN skip it if you decide to read the story since it ends basically where it started off. Though, if you get a bit confused with some of Taran's old friends that appear in The High King, it's because they were introduced in Taran Wanderer.
Still, I didn't like it. :)
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This was actually the stand out part of the series to me. When I first read it when I was about 10 it really stood out to me as I followed Taran's journey into finding who he was. It kind of helped me to shape how I viewed the world and how I interacted with it. To a certain extent anyway.
At times it can feel a bit cut off from the rest of the Chronicles in that you've no major events taking place, but I feels that adds to it's appeal.
At times it can feel a bit cut off from the rest of the Chronicles in that you've no major events taking place, but I feels that adds to it's appeal.
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This series holds great memories for me. The first summer in our new house my sister read these books to me. She felt I would love them, but I didn't think I would read them on my own, so every night after dinner, we would go into her room (our very first time with our own rooms), close the door, and we would delve into the wonderful world of Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Hen-Wen. It was the best summer ever and great stories to boot!
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Read in January, 2006
In the incredible fourth volume of the Chronicles of Prydain, Taran goes in search of his parentage only to find himself. The quest, spurred by Taran’s longing to prove himself worthy of Eilonwy’s royal lineage, takes him through more peril and tragedy than ever before. The witches make an appearance to “help” Taran on his journey. Alexander continues the awesome story of Taran and Prydain with excitement and style.
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Read in January, 1988
This was perhaps my least favorite Prydain book growing up; now, it is my most favorite. I cannot help but identify more strongly with it every time I read it. Its message of continuing self-discovery, the way we fail ourselves but keep going, rings stronger and stronger the older I get. This is, for me, the book about growing up. It should never stop compelling me, because I don't plan to stop growing.
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This is the series that has carried me through most of my life. I have read and reread these books again and again, and each time I gain a little more perspective and learn new lessons. They are written for pre-teens and simple to read (takes me less than a day to finish a book now), but full of wisdom and lessons that are woven into a wonderful tale.This is a series to pattern your life on.
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Read in January, 1991
Alexander's Prydain Chronicles will forever stand as one of the best series of children's fantasy novels ever written. The series quite deservedly received several Newbury Honors.
The Black Cauldron and the High King were my favorites as a child; Taran Wanderer is my favorite now. Which appeals all depends on what point in your life you are in, but they are forever wonderful.
The Black Cauldron and the High King were my favorites as a child; Taran Wanderer is my favorite now. Which appeals all depends on what point in your life you are in, but they are forever wonderful.
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This fourth book in the series is my least favorite of the Prydain series, but it is still good. Now wishing to be worthy of Princess Eilonwy's hand in marriage, Taran goes on a quest with Gurgi to find out who he really is, hoping that he is of noble blood so that he may wed the princess. Taran, through his adventures, learns many valuable lessons we all can apply to ourselves.
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Every kid should have the chance to read this one (and the other four in the series). Yet, this is probably the most demanding of the Prydain books. It felt slow and dry to me as a child, but I love it now. The search for self is never as exciting as the search for a sword or a crown, but it is a quest more likely to be shared by the reader!
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recommends it for:
children (especially young boys), fantasy lovers
Taran Wanderer is definitely the "coming of age" book in the Prydain series. It shows Taran's gradual but definite growth toward manhood. He learns many different vital lessons that push him toward maturity. I don't know if it's my favorite from the series, but it's definitely a jewel of a book. Don't miss out on it!
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Read in January, 1991
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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