The Book of Three (Lloyd Alexander)

Author Biography
Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was the widely renowned author of numerous fantasy novels, most famously The Chronicles of Prydain. His honors include a 1966 Newbery Honor for The Black Cauldron and the 1969 Newbery Medal for The High King.

Published By: Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Year: 1964

ISBN: 0-8050-0874-8

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Tired of pig-keeping and longing for adventure, Taran is suddenly thrust into a quest to defend his homeland from evil. This journey brings him new friends and teaches him the true nature of war and heroism.

Plot Summary:

In the land of Prydain, young orphan Taran serves as Assistant Pig-Keeper of the oracular pig Hen Wen – a mundane life he longs to escape in favor of battles and adventure. But his enchanter guardian Dallben forbids him to leave, because all of Prydain is currently under threat by Arawn, the lord of the dead. But when Hen Wen escapes, Taran runs after her… and comes face to face with the army of Arawn's terrible warlord, the Horned King.

Rescued by famed warrior Prince Gwydion, Taran joins the latter on his journey to warn the royal court of Caer Dathyl of the Horned King’s approach. But soon afterward, in an evil sorceress’s castle, Taran tragically loses his noble companion… but gains three unlikely new ones. Joined by eccentric, feisty young girl Eilonwy, king-turned-bard Fflewddur Fflam, and sniveling man-beast Gurgi, Taran sets out to fulfill Gwydion’s mission. Can this ragtag crew possibly reach Caer Dathyl before the Horned King does, and escape with their lives from Arawn’s undead “Cauldron-Born” warriors?

Critical Evaluation:

Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain have been benchmarks of young people’s fantasy literature ever since they made their debut in the 1960s. Darker than The Chronicles of Narnia, but pithier and more youth-aimed than The Lord of the Rings, they stand beside those books as one of the best-loved fantasy series’ in history. (They also inspired the obscure ‘80s Disney film The Black Cauldron, which takes its name from the second book.) Set in the Wales-inspired medieval fantasy land of Prydain and drawing heavily on Welsh legends, they follow would-be hero Taran through the struggle between Prydain and Annuvin, the Land of Death, as well as through his personal journey from boyhood to manhood.

This first installment of the series, The Book of Three, offers no shortage of action, adventure, humor, suspense, clever fantasy and colorful characters, as well as a truly frightening if only fleetingly-glimpsed villain. But just as importantly, it offers a vivid, relatable portrait of a young man’s character development. Taran starts off as a brash, often-foolhardy boy who naïvely views warfare as all sword-swinging adventure and glory. Over the course of the book, he makes numerous mistakes and does few conventionally “heroic” deeds (those are done by unlikely other characters), but learns that heroism is less about achievements than about will and perseverance, as well as realizing the brutality of war and the value of an ordinary, peaceful life. Wise, rich, exciting and entertaining, this is a book with timeless appeal for children, teens and adults alike.

Curriculum Ties:

•Welsh mythology

•Fantasy worlds

Challenge Issues:

•Violence

•Disturbing imagery

Why This Book?

For boys in particular, but for any preteen or young adult lover of fantasy, The Book of Three stands the test of time as a fantasy classic.

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