The Book of Three (Chronicles of Prydain, #1)

by Lloyd Alexander

[ladygrey]

At nearly 200 pages I figured I could read this in no time. But I didn't take into account that it was written in 1964 so the style was very different than what I'm used to. I might be slightly bitter I couldn't finish it in two hours and I probably wouldn't be bitter if I'd liked it better.

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.