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The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain)
 
 
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The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain) (Paperback)

by Lloyd Alexander (Author) "Autumn had come too swiftly..." (more)
Key Phrases: chicken roost, black beast, Caer Dallben, Dark Gate, King Morgant (more...)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–The Black Cauldron (Holt, 1965) is the second book in the five book series by Lloyd Alexander, and is a Newbery Honor Book. It continues the story of Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Prydain. Taran, with a band of warriors and friends, is called upon to find and destroy the Black Cauldron, which is being used by the evil Arawn, Lord of the Land of Death, to produce deathless warriors from the bodies of his fallen enemies. Throughout this quest, Taran and his companions learn about sacrifice, honor, and courage. Alexander reads an author's note at the beginning, explaining that his stories have some basis in the literary tradition of Wales, but that he wants readers to relate the stories to what is going on in their lives right now. The audiobook is ably narrated by actor James Langton who deftly creates distinctive characters and engages the audience. Listeners will must have read or listened to the first book in the series, The Book of Three (Holt, 1964; Listening Library), in order to sort out the numerous characters and place names and develop a bond with the characters and their plight. Libraries already circulating the first book will want to have this available for fans.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Taran, the gallant Assistant Pig-keeper, and his companions once again fare forth to destroy the evil that threatens their beloved country, Prydain.... A wise and wondrous tale written in epic fashion." --Booklist
-- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks (May 16, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 080508049X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0805080490
  • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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First Sentence:
Autumn had come too swiftly. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
chicken roost, black beast
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Caer Dallben, Dark Gate, King Morgant, Assistant Pig-Keeper, Caer Cadarn, King Smoit, Marshes of Morva, Fair Folk, Lord Gwydion, Prince of Pen-Llarcau, Hen Wen, Black Crochan, Forest of Idris, Great Belin, Prince Gwydion, The Book of Three, Great Avren, Prince Ellidyr, King Eiddileg, Lord of Annuvin
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4.7 out of 5 stars (123 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best first sequel in history, January 6, 2000
This review is from: The Black Cauldron (Pyrdain Chronicles) (Mass Market Paperback)
A little darker than "The Book of Three", this amazing sequel deals with far more mature themes, including the death of a character and events that affect all of Prydain rather than just the immediate characters. Most second books are weak; this one, if anything, is far more multilayered and mature in its content. There is character death, and there is more political conflict.

Princes and war leaders show up at Caer Dallben with a mission: find the Cauldron that supplies the dark lord Arawn with his deathless, lifeless soldiers. Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, is elated that he will be able to participate in his first real adventure (since the last one was because of a series of accidents) with a sword and the respect of his peers. This becomes something of a problem with the arrival of Ellidyr, Son of Pen-Llarcau - an obnoxious and arrogant prince who looks down on Taran, Eilonwy, and Gurgi.

Taran, Ellidyr, Prince Gwydion, the dwarf Doli, the kindly warrior Adaon, bard-king Fflewddur Fflam and others ride off to infiltrate Annuvin, Arawn's lands. (They inadvertantly have to bring Eilonwy and Gurgi) But they soon find that the situation has become much more complex, as there are forces other than Arawn and Gwydion who want the Cauldron...

The story becomes more Tolkienesque in this volume. The language becomes a little more formal, especially for Taran. And Alexander doesn't shrink away from battle and character death - none of it is graphic, but it is deeply saddening. His writing reflects this, as it is far stronger and more beautiful than in "Book of Three."

The tempering of Taran, which comes to full in the last two books of the series, really begins here. At the beginning, Taran is an eager boy who wants to go out, fight, be a hero. Though he is called on to act heroically, he is a wiser and sadder young man; he's seen battle and death, and they aren't the glorious foe-slaying parade that he imagined. Gurgi's growing loyalty to Taran is demonstrated, as is Eilonwy and Gwydion's growing respect for him. Eilonwy, Gurgi and Fflewddur are all their irrepressible selves, no matter what.

The supporting characters are also strong: we have the goodhearted bearlike king Smoit; the sinister Morgant; the arrogant, obnoxious Ellidyr who seems to secretly envy Taran; Gwystyl, the most depressed of the Hidden Folk; and, of course, the three weird witches living in the Marshes of Morva.

Ignore the hideous animated movie, and read this delightful book. For adults and kids alike, those who have read Tolkien and want more...

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the stronger books in the Prydain series, August 15, 2000
By Joy Kim (New Haven, CT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Black Cauldron (Prydain Chronicles) (Paperback)
In this sequel to _The Book of Three_, Taran and his companions set off to find and destroy the malignant Black Cauldron. The cauldron must be destroyed because it is the source of Arawn's deathless Cauldron-born warriors. Many of Taran's friends from the first novel return, and we meet new characters as well: Adaon, the son of the chief bard of Prydain and a wise warrior in his own right, and Ellidyr, the proud prince of Pen-Llarcau.

_The Black Cauldron_ is definitely superior to its predecessor, which was a very fine book in its own right. Its superiority comes from the greater depth of characterization. Taran is no longer a callow boy; he is struggling with harder issues that will resonate with many of his readers. Other characters face similar dilemmas--again and again, Lloyd Alexander shows that the answer to "What is a hero?" is a very difficult one. The plot moves quickly; it has adventure, danger, and emotional excitement to please anyone. Alexander's writing is clean and direct, and he is able to inject his trademarkj dry humor at regular intervals. Perhaps best of all, the reader has the consolation of knowing there are three more books about Taran and Prydain after this one.

I highly recommend this book to middle readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure. Alexander excels at creating strong female characters, so this should appeal to boys and girls alike. And if you enjoyed this, finish the series. It's a classic, award-winning series for a reason. And if you're looking for something to read after it, try Alexander's Westmark trilogy.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book that the Disney cartoon does a great disservice, January 3, 2000
By Imbri (Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Black Cauldron (Hardcover)
I am a sixteen year old girl who has been a fan of The Chronicles of Prydain for as long as I can remember. My father had been a fan of the books for years and passed them to me as soon as I was able to read them. I have read all five a thousand times and never tire of them. The adventures are always complex and exciting, and the characters are never flat. I have always appreciated the antagonists of these books because they always have reasons for doing what they do (like Ellidyr in The Black Cauldron), they never do things simply because they are bad, which happens all to often in books, especially in children's books. My favorite character is Eilonwy who has always inspired me with me with her courage and determination. Which brings me to my biggest gripe with the movie. Not only was the movie boring and urelated to the book except in name, the character of Eilonwy lacked personality, courage, and determination, qualities that were essential to the book character. So please, if you have only seen the cartoon, do not misjudge the books, and if you have only read the books, please skip the movie.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps getting better
So, here we are, in part 2 of our coming of age story. I guess you could also say this falls under "the continuing adventures of... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Christopher M. Fulton

5.0 out of 5 stars Great books
I read the Prydain Chronicles as a child and still find them enjoyable today. I look forward to one day sharing these tales with my children.
Published 2 months ago by Jeffrey A. Hensley

4.0 out of 5 stars The battle is over, but the war is just begun.
Lloyd Alexander, The Black Cauldron (Henry Holt, 1965)

Alexander returns to the world of Prydain with this second chronicle of Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and his... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Robert P. Beveridge

5.0 out of 5 stars The stakes get higher, and so does the adventure
The Black Cauldron is the second book in the Chronicles of Prydain series. While it is best to read it following The Book of Three, it is not entirely required, as Lloyd Alexander... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Charlie Brooks

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Follow Up to "Book of Three"
Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper continues his adventures in the second book of the Chronicles of Prydain, "The Black Cauldron". Read more
Published 6 months ago by Brian Markowski

4.0 out of 5 stars The second in the series of Alexander's Prydain Chronicles
When I first read this book in 1985, the book cover had the Disney movie poster on it and I was surprised to see how little resemblance there was between the film and the book... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Barbara L. Lemaster

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fantasy
Lloyd Alexander was one of my favorite authors as a young adult and his work has really held up now that I'm an adult. Read more
Published 18 months ago by N. Burt

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader
Pig-boy gets to be a bit princely, but has problems with undead, goddesses, etc.

This is a reasonably diverting kids book, and doesn't take itself too seriously, even... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Blue Tyson

5.0 out of 5 stars The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander is an interesting book that I would recommend to people to all ages. Read more
Published on April 12, 2007

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Not Read The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander is an adventurous book that I wouldn't recommend to any age. First Taran is trying to find a counselor. Read more
Published on April 12, 2007

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