The Book of Three: 1 (Chronicles of Prydain)

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When Taran regained consciousness under Eilonwy's care, Gwydion explained that he had been moved to another place of torture, called Oeth-Anoeth, before the collapse of Spiral Castle, which had fallen with Eilonwy's removal of the enchanted sword Dyrnwyn. Gwydion now carried the blade. The Prince of Don further explained that the Gwythaint Fledgling had led him to Taran, and from Hen Wen he had learned the Horned King's secret name, the utterance of which had destroyed the evil champion. All of the companions were given gifts as a reward for their efforts, and Eilonwy and Gurgi came to stay at Caer Dallben. So, not the best beginning of the series, with as much predictable fantasy cliche usage as there is turning of those cliches on their heads, and as much cutesy-wutesy character stuff as there is genuinely insightful inner development. I definitely recommend reading further in the series if you liked this one even in the slightest. a b "Newbery Medal & Honor Books, 1922–Present". Association for Library Service to Children. American Library Association . Retrieved 2011-01-11. I hate to think what would have happened if the Sons of Don hadn't come," Taran said. "It was a good destiny that brought them."

The series was inspired by Welsh mythology and by the castles, scenery, and language of Wales, which the author experienced during World War II army combat intelligence training. [2] [3] The planned title of the first book was originally The Battle of the Trees. [4] :33 Plot summary [ edit ] I loved that it didn't drag on and on and on. For a classic (1964) fantasy novel aimed at a young adults, this was surprisingly readable to me. If you go into it knowing what it is, I think it's more than likely something you will be able to appreciate. If you go into it thinking you're getting some Harry Potter esque story, you will be sorely disappointed.Man, was that movie missing a lot of the characters and PLOT. Not to mention the character growth of Taran! He turns into quite the leader and hero in this one. I don't want to spoil anything but this was a very good story. House, Ellen (September 1, 2011). "Book forum". Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 50 (9): 951–955. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2011.07.016– via www.jaacap.org. Taran is an orphan being raised by the wizard Dallben and the farmer, Coll. Taran is about fifteen or sixteen and frustrated at being taught to forge horseshoes instead of swords, and tending to the oracular pig, Hen Wen, instead of learning how to fight. When he expresses his frustration to Coll, his guardian gives him a title:

You may be thankful he did not," said Dallben. "He would have ruled had it not been for the Children of Don, the sons of the Lady Don and her consort Belin, King of the Sun. Long ago they voyaged to Prydain from the Summer Country and found the land rich and fair, though the race of men had little for themselves. The Sons of Don built their stronghold at Caer Dathyl, far north in the Eagle Mountains. From there, they helped regain at least a portion of what Arawn had stolen, and stood as guardians against the lurking threat of Annuvin." Taran, a youthful Assistant Pig-Keeper, yearned for adventure. When the oracular pig Hen Wen escaped her enclosure at Caer Dallben, Taran pursued her. He met Prince Gwydion, before both were captured by the evil enchantress Achren. As a kid, I loved these books. They're notable in my past as being responsible for my first (and only) request for an extension on a paper. In sixth grade, I asked for a single day extension on a book report, which was granted, as I was writing about the whole series and not just one book. I rather wish I still had that paper, as I'd be curious to read my initial impressions. I'm sure it touched on my elementary understanding of Welsh mythology, but I seem to remember a lot of summarizing of the books... kind of similar to this. Hm.

The assistant pig keeper Taran starts out surprisingly unlikable, but whenever he does something kind, the world responds in turn. His quest is a bit generic, but there are a lot of funny flashes that make things great. Each little episode of adventure has its own strengths, though some are stronger than the others, and the cast of characters that grows slowly is a good comical mix of people on similar missions of learning to improve themselves in gentle ways. In addition to the races of humans and Fair Folk, Prydain is home to many strange creatures, such as the odd forest man called Gurgi. Hen Wen. A white oracular pig, blessed with the ability to prophesy future events and reveal hidden information. Hen Wen originally belongs to a simple farmer but the Death-Lord Arawn learns of her oracular power and captures her. She suffers for some time as a prisoner in the dark fortress Annuvin. The warrior Coll eventually journeys into Annuvin alone and rescues the pig, becoming her caretaker. [29] When Coll retires, he keeps her on his farm. Taran and Dallben help look after her after they take residence at the farm. When Taran is a teenager, Coll jokingly bestows on him the official title of Assistant Pig-Keeper. [29] Hen Wen is lost at the beginning of The Book of Three, which causes a chain of events that puts Taran on the path of becoming a hero.