The first book in The Chronicles of Prydain, a classic epic full of breathtaking action, humour, valour and excitement.
Taran is desperate for adventure. Being a lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper just isn't exciting. That is, until the magical pig, Hen Wen, disappears and Taran embarks on a death-defying quest to save her from the evil Horned King.
His perilous adventures bring Taran many new friends: an irritable dwarf, an impulsive bard, a strange hairy beast and the hot-headed Princess Eilonwy. Together, they must face the deathless Cauldron-Born warriors, dragons, witches and the terrifying Horned King himself. Taran learns much about his identity, but the mysterious Book of Three is yet to reveal his true identity.
- ISBN10 1474943446
- ISBN13 9781474943444
- Publish Date 9 August 2018 (first published January 1973)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 16 August 2023
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Usborne Publishing Ltd
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback
- Pages 240
- Language English
Reviews
Written on May 15, 2020
Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Written on Apr 7, 2019
That said, if you're an experienced traverser in the genre, a little older, and don't have a nostalgic connection to it... The Book of Three may be a little boring. It moves so quickly and there's a he unbalance between action and dialogue. The characters have interesting backstories as they're spoken, but the writing still feels a bit shallow? If this had been written today with all the options available, I would expect much more. But this book is a little over 60 years old, and things that are tired to us were fantastic at publication.
I want to say that this three star review is based very much on me and where I am at in my reading journey *now*. I'm a seasoned reader of epic fantasy - it's my favorite genre - and as such, I'm accustomed to more complicated plots and a bit more depth to my characters. For what it is, when it was written, and the audience it was trying to reach - The Book of Three is pretty good! It was just too simple and trope-filled to get a higher star-rating from me.
ladygrey
Written on Jul 1, 2013
Which is not to say that I disliked it. I generally I enjoy that older, familiar style. [a:Lloyd Alexander|8924|Lloyd Alexander|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353430382p2/8924.jpg] uses an economy of words that reminds me of [b:The Last Unicorn|29127|The Last Unicorn|Peter S. Beagle|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358147318s/29127.jpg|902304]. And a lot happens very quickly. Which allows a lot of story to fit in barely 200 pages. But also doesn't leave room for a lot of emotion. And a lot of the plot had very similar elements to Lord of the Rings. The characters are all very well drawn and interesting. But I have to think I would have liked the whole thing better if I had liked Taran at all. He had moments of strength and courage and of being interesting and admirable. But mostly he overreacted and was petulant. Maybe he gets better in later books. I did like his bit at the end with Dellborn who pointed out his flaws, presumably for him to grow as a character. As I write this it reminds me of Dumbledore's talk with Harry at the end of almost each book.
I can see where I probably would have enjoyed this if I'd read it for the first time as a kid. But now I can't say I loved it.
ibeforem
Written on Nov 17, 2008