The Book of Three (Chronicles of Prydain)

by

Paperback, 240 pages

Published Aug. 27, 2004 by Usborne Publishing Ltd.

ISBN:
978-0-7460-6038-4
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2 stars (1 review)

Taran is bored with his Assistant Pig-Keeper duties, even though his charge is none other than Hen Wen, Prydain's only oracular pig. He'd rather be doing something more heroic, like making swords and learning to use them. When Hen Wen escapes and Taran goes after her, he finds himself farther from home than he's ever been. Soon he begins to realize that heroism is no easy task. With the dreaded Horn King on the loose and King Arawn gathering the forces of evil, Taran must look past his own dreams to warn the population of Prydain before it's too late. - Back cover.

Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil.

31 editions

reviewed The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander (Chronicles of Prydain (1))

Review of 'The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain)' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I wanted to read this since it was the inspiration for much of the original dungeons and dragons. I see now that it's mostly in the world building, and that being pulled from Welsh mythology leaves little credit to the book itself.

There are some funny moments but ultimately the dialog felt forced and overly formal, the plot moved more due to accident and coincidence than the efforts of the characters, and the characters themselves felt flat. It's a product of it's time, I suppose.

Subjects

  • Fantasy
  • Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)