Customer Reviews

The Arkadians

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Lloyd Alexander is best know for his Prydain and Westmark series, and justly so. Those two series are complex, engaging, and beautifully written. In comparison, some of his other books have always felt a bit simple to me. I think "The Arkadians" is Alexander's best stand-alone novel. Lucian is a bit like Theo and Taran; Joy-in-the-Dance is rather like Eilonwy and Mickle. It makes the book seem familiar to his long-time readers. There's also a lot "The Arkadians" which is new and lovely -- a kind of magical and enchanted atmosphere that most Alexander fans will love. If you enjoyed your trips to Prydain and Westmark, I think you'll enjoy Arkadia too.

This single book is better than the entire Prydain Chronicles. Whereas the storytelling in the latter series was occasionally clunky and the settings vague, Alexander's hallmark is the nerve-wracking suspense he creates so that the reader just has to finish the book once he starts it.

Alexander is not an author; he is a master storyteller. This book is a collage of various characters telling their own humorous stories threaded together by a common plot of a runaway boy and his talking donkey. The wealth of beautifully crafted characters and the occasionally funny, occasionally sombre plot never fails to sustain the amusement of the reader as Alexander shows off his own skill in the stories of his characters.

This is a highly endearing and delightfully light book that is perfect for bedtime reading - although you probably won't get to sleep until you have turned the last page of the book.

I fell in love with Lloyd Alexander's books with The Prydain Chronicles, so when I found out that there were more books of his that I didn't own, I had to get this one. I was not disappointed in the least. The story is a rich blend of Greek Mythology and classic fantasy, and it easily pulled me into the world of Arkadia. The Arkadians is a very fun and easy read. I /highly/ recommend it to all Lloyd Alexander fans and anyone that loves good fantasy.

Arkadians was a light hearted look upon usually serious Greek myths. Lloyd Alexander twisted mythical plots, making unusual, but lovable heroes of dense headed Lucian, poet/donkey Fronto, and extreme feminist Joy-in-the-dance. Alexander creates a vivid atmosphere with humorous tales in this quick epic. I also relished the novel's theory on how Greek folklore began. As a fan of Greek mythology, I'd encourage all to read the happier side of the usual legends!

Lucian, a sort of accountant who works in the king's palace, has found out that two of the king's top men are stealing from the kingdom. Fronto is a donkey; he used to be a poet until a foolish mistake caused him to be turned into an animal. He desperately wants to regain human form and he befriends Lucian in his travels away from the kingdom, in the hopes that he will be able to find someone who will be able to change him back into his human form. Joy-in-the-Dance is a priestess who has just foretold a nasty future for the king, and so she needs to leave the area also.

These three characters team up as they all travel to find the Lady of Wild Things, who might be able to help them. At first, Joy-in-the-Dance doesn't trust Lucian--he is connected with the Bear tribe, a group of violent men who have driven all of the priestesses out of the kingdom. But then she begins to see that her stereotype of him may be wrong, and he may be a decent person after all.

As their journey continues, the three travelers have adventures and turn from people who are simply traveling together into real friends.

I liked how the author was able to incorporate little bits of mythology into this story. I liked the character of Joy-in-the-Dance; she was strong and stayed true to herself. I also really liked how the problem with Fronto was resolved.

I didn't like how Joy-in-the-Dance treated Lucian; I ended up feeling sorry for him much of the time.

I chose to read "The Arkadians" for project for my freshman English class. I found the book a little primary for my age and reading level. The only reason I continued reading the book was because I have a soft spot for that particular time period and I like fantasies. Younger readers may become interested in how the book will end. For older readers, the ending is obvious and predictable, but how the ending comes about will keep these readers interested. Alexander's clever way of resolving things and tying the stories together is genious. The story is about a diverse group of humans and fantastic creatures who journey to see The Lady of the Wild Things, each seeking her help in a different way. On their way, they come across many friendly and not-so-friendly civilizations. Each character they come across tells a story that reveals something about him/herself or about Arcadia. Many of the stories have actual roots in mythology. However, the tales can get a little lengthy and boring. "The Arkadains" is a fantastic odyssey that is much like "The Wizard of Oz." I would recommend it to someone who likes fantasies. I would recommend it to someone younger than me. It would catch the attention of a younger audience more than one of my 15-year-old age group. I'm surpised I found this in my school library. This is the first book I've read by Alexander, but I would be interested in reading some of his other works, too.

i have always loved Greek mythology. Lloyd Alexander is also one of my favorite authors. In the "Arkadians" I loved how he incorporated Greek mythology into the story. The story itself was not exactly complex or rich, but it was imaginative, original and great for kids just getting into fantasy. I woul recommend it to that age group, or anyone who can read simply for the pleasure of an entertain story.

I believe I was about three-quarters through this book when I finally realized had been gnawing on my brain: this book is little more than a charming romp through mythology. Do not let that "little more" line let you think I have a negative opinion of this book. Quite the opposite.

As many books nowadays combine fairy tales, this throws peninsula/island mythology into a single adventure and cleverly and kindly removes the fantastic from them in favor of a sweetly simpler light. The supposed great heroes are mere, loveable individuals that dig their ways into the heart.

The story is funny, charming, and distinctly Alexander. The characters are his usual, but if you are a fan of this characters and the Lloyd Alexander format, this will be certain to please.

The Arkadians is a book that just won't stop, it's amazing! The book begins with a king that gets a prophecy that he does not like one bit. He seeks revenge on the Lady-Of-Wild-Things, the one who gave him this horrible prophecy. Next you meet a young bean counter who learns of evil plans by two royal soothsayers, the bean counter, Lucian, must flee the castle. He meets a talking jackass and the Lady-Of-Wild-Things herself. This story has action, suspense, and even a little romance.
This is a great book I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy. The action that is in it is great. Every time there is an action scene I get a perfect picture in my head, it seems like I am actually there. In this of story I sometimes found myself on the edge of my seat not knowing what would happen next.
This story was also written beautifully, the way it flows from sentence to sentence. As I said the action scenes are great, so is every other scene throughout the story I always had a vivid picture I my head. The way it flowed also helped I never got confused while reading this book. This book is very simple not many big words or anything, another reason it would be good for anyone.
Also as I said before there was romance. Now I am not a big fan of romance but this book kept it toned down so there was not too much of it. It slowly brought hints of two of the main characters love throughout the story. The book never got caught up on the love they secretly shared it mentioned then moved on.
So in conclusion The Arkadians was a great book. It does not require much thought or work to understand I recommend to all.
S. Bricker

With China, India and ancient Wales under his belt, Lloyd Alexander strayed over to Greece in "The Arkadians." His typical quest story is given a twist of Greek mythology and feminism, but never enough to keep the book from being light, funny and adventurous.

The Bear King of Arkadia sought his fortune from the seer of the Lady of Wild Things, but began destroying the healers and believers in the Lady when his future was told -- and it was bleak. The king's wise men are cheating him, and a young scholar named Lucian innocently uncovers it. He flees the palace before he can be disposed of, on a donkey that suddenly talks to him. (The donkey, by the way, is actually a poet who drank from a magical spring)

Before long, the two meet up with a sharp-witted, slightly magical girl named Joy-in-the-Dance, who bails Fronto and Lucian out of a sticky situation. Soon they are joined by a perky little goat-boy and a former king, who is now a scapegoat (the villagers use him for blame). All together they set off for the Lady of Wild Things, and the fulfillment of a prophecy.

Lloyd Alexander knows his character strengths, and many of the characters in in his lesser-known books resemble those in the Prydain Chronicles. But he keeps the well-worn quest plot feeling fresh. In short, people who enjoyed his prior fantasy quests will probably enjoy "The Arkadians."

Perhaps the main problem with the story is that it would fill a much skinnier book if Alexander hadn't padded it with countless Greek legends, such as the tale of the Minotaur. However, he keeps the plot going at a quick, pleasant pace, with entertainingly quirky dialogue and rather sparse descriptions.

He also adds plenty of fantastical detail wherever it's needed. The respective cultures of the people in Arkadia, the more militant Bear Tribe and the more festive people of the Lady, are well-drawn and believable in their differences. The romance between Lucian and Joy-in-the-Dance seems a bit too sudden, although it's not hard to see why they fell in love.

"The Arkadians" keeps Lloyd Alexander's track record of amusing, offbeat fantasy adventures. This time, the Greek legends and talking donkeys make the story even more fun.