Customer Reviews

The Black Cauldron: The Chronicles of Prydain

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Lloyd Alexander is one of my favorite authors, but he is also one of the most predictable. A lot of his books follow a pattern: Inexperienced boy goes out into world, meets experienced girl and other random characters of interest, is pursued by villain, attempts to remedy the situation or flee, is forced to confront villain, gets girl, lives happily ever after.
That sums up The Iron Ring, The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jenn, The Arkadians, and a few others. It is a completely enjoyable formula, but it is a formula. Some of his less enjoyable but still very interesting work includes a blatant rip off of Indiana Jones known as Vesper Holly and the Westmark Trillogy which managed to be dark and unloveable without being deep and meaty (I only liked one character, and she had a tiny part).
That said, he does have a one bit of truly exceptional work, and that is the Prydia Chronicles, a five book series of true distinction. The last book in this series earned the Newbery Award, but everyone of them deserved it.
My favorite character is Fflewder Fflam, the harp bearing bard with a giant cat for a steed and a creative license on the truth (if it weren't for that dang harp he'd be a great liar).
The characters of Prydia are loveable and real, even the somewhat stereotypical lead, Taran (Inexperienced male I mentioned before except with some depth).
One word of advice: NEVER watch the Disney cartoon made of this series. It was their worst movie and the worst rendition of any book I've ever seen. I don't know what anyone involved on that project was thinking!

Finally, books I remember enjoying as a kid that still stand up to re-reading as an adult!

They are sometimes described as coming-of-age stories, and that is true in the best sense of the term. Alexander is deeply concerned with growing up, and he examines many of its central, deepest, and most profound aspects, such as discovering one's personal identity, and responsibility. Each book in the series looks at these themes in different ways and builds on them a little more. My favorite in the series, Taran Wanderer (which I had expected to enjoy the least), deals with these issues so simply and directly that it acquires an almost allegorical quality. He teaches many important life lessons that are every bit as relevant to us grown-ups as to young adolescents just beginning to struggle with these issues. And he does so through engaging stories and a memorable cast of characters. From now on, whenever I find myself in a situation that tests my courage or integrity, all I have to do is think to myself, "A Fflam never falters!"

Some people like to complain about the supposed similarities between these books and those of Tolkein, but apart from some basic structural features stemming from their common mythological roots, there really isn't a lot of similarity in the details. Even in the most obviously similar part---the ending---what is really interesting is how it differs. I can't say much without giving it away, but let's just say that Alexander, to his credit, ultimately says almost the exact opposite of Tolkein. No, Alexander's fantasy world isn't as complex and well-developed as Tolkein's, but these books were written for a younger audience, and let's face it, nobody can stand up to a comparison with Tolkein as far as that goes. I think if people, of whatever age, take these books on their own terms, they will find them to be a rewarding experience.