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The Black Cauldron The Chronicles of Prydain Lloyd Alexander 9780805080490 Books

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The Black Cauldron The Chronicles of Prydain Lloyd Alexander 9780805080490 Books

In one of the earlier books there's a shocking betrayal by one character, and a heartening---yet tragic----turnaround in the other direction by a different character. When Taran, the protagonist, demands to know how these two disparate people can be mourned, he is told, "I shall mourn (Character Number One) for what he once was, and (Character Number Two) for what he became." Imagine being ten or eleven years old, and used to a fictional diet of dresses and barbies and adventures, and reading *that.* Even as a kid I knew I had stumbled over a great series of books.

Taran Wanderer has wanted to be a hero, a warrior, his whole life-----till he became one. Through four books, Taran has wanted glory but gradually become acquainted with the gritty, deadly, dirty business of fighting wars and battles, gradually realizing that glory is not what it seems and sometimes one can be a hero just for getting up every day, raising a family, growing crops, herding stock, and being a decent human being.

As a kid, he was given the title Assistant Pig Keeper, to make up for the unenviable job of being, well, a pig keeper. Of course, pigs are intelligent creatures, and Prydain's Hen Wen is even more so, being an "Oracular" pig, a pig who can foretell prophecies. As the series has gone on, Taran has ridden into battle and seen his friends fall under his leadership, but the true change in his character shows in a simple exchange, as he agonizes over a difficult decision as a war leader. "Are you a war leader or an Assistant Pig Keeper?" Another character asks him.

"Need you ask, old friend?" Taran responds. "I'm an Assistant Pig Keeper."

In embracing his true place in life, and all his flaws, Taran finally discovers that he can rise above his humble background, and be more than a humble pig keeper, because if you live more for others than yourself, you have tried something more heroic than many people ever even attempt.

"The High King" is a wrenching conclusion to the series, but it's kind of a cathartic wrench. Taran is impatient, leaps headlong into decisions----or once did---and sees, too clearly, the difficulties of the things he must attempt. When he succeeds, it is often only with the assistance of others, or with luck. What makes him special is that he is fully aware of this. He is the sort of person who facilitates and makes it possible for others to achieve heroism or glory, but he doesn't begrudge them that. His apprecation for his friends comes from losing so many so tragically, losses that hit the reader here with great effect and realism, if underplayed for the sake of the younger readers. There is no gore or sex or bad language, though Eilonwy experiences an unmistakably ugly confrontation with a believably evil character. It was so real, in fact, that the magical escape was *almost* too magical. *Almost.* Alexander is a miracle worker in how delicately he balances all the threads here.

Even at the end, Gwydion still has a lesson or two for Taran, who is still quite a young man. Reading this series again after decades, I was struck by how elegant and simple Alexander's writing was, hinting enough to give the reader a push, yet making the reader do some of the heavy lifting. If you don't experience some sniveling at various points in this book, I don't think I want to know you.

In an era of Super Special Chosen Ones with special talents and supernatural skills, it's impossible refreshing to read about a young man who moves forward not because he's special but because he's ordinary yet tries so hard he accomplishes much, who finds the one thing he loves doing, only to realize that he lacks the talent for it, and whose heroism is born, often, of desperation rather than ambition. Taran touches one's heart because he's so much like so many of us. Being ordinary is not what limits you. Never trying is.


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The Black Cauldron The Chronicles of Prydain Lloyd Alexander 9780805080490 Books Reviews

<i>The Chronicles of Prydain</i> by Lloyd Alexander continues with the second book, <i>The Black Cauldron</i>. The reader learned of the titular cauldron in the first book when they heard of the device of black magic used by the god-like being Arawn in his rule of his own territories, and his quest to extend his iron fist over all of Prydain.

In this tale, the heroes are swept up in a quest to find and destroy the device, in order to stop Arawn from creating an endless stream of undead warriors with which to wage war and conquer. A rather ingenious plan is devised, and it <i>should have</i> worked, but unfortunately fell to pieces. In the end, it is once again up to Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dallben to save the day. In the thick of things with the young man are his steadfast companions, consisting of Princess Eilonwy, the King-turned-Bard Fflewddur Fflam, and their hairy companion of unknown species named Gurgi. They succeed, but the price is tragically high.

I have read that the books are more known for the personal coming-of-age stories and character growth than for the adventures, though the adventures are real page-turners. I have found this to be true. Though sometimes the companions in the series can be quite annoying, it is all in the pursuit of these stories of personal growth, so it is tolerable.

I will only bring up two areas of note from the book. They weren't really issues, so much as items that deserve comment, in my opinion. These involve the two most important protagonists, Taran and Eilonwy. First off, what is with Taran's Aesop amnesia here. Last book, he ended it by saying how desiring glory and excitement is not wise and doing your best at anything, even mundane things, is the best to do. For that matter, fighting and danger are not desirable, though sometimes necessary to prevent evil from winning. As this book begins, he seems to have forgotten these lessons, and is rearing to fight again, and dreaming of honor in battle. Let's hope he doesn't forget his lessons this time when the next book rolls around.

Eilonwy, Eilonwy, Eilonwy, what to say about her. Well, she is fascinating and hilarious, though a bit bratty at times. She is also, though, the first true example of a “tsundere” in fiction. I truly believe this. Forget the Japanese examples, and look to Princess Eilonwy for the a true original tsundere archetype. To note by way of explanation, the idea of a tsundere is a (traditionally Japanese) type of character, usually female but with more and more examples of males in recent years, who gravitates between kind and harsh to the object of their affection. As time goes on, they are less and less harsh and more and more kind. This can be towards the object of either romantic or friendly affection, and is the result, largely, of not knowing how to express or deal with their feelings.

I say she is a tsundere because she is kind of harsh, even when she isn't angry, and can't seem to settle on being nice or jerkish to Taran. Even when he isn't suffering from his terminal case of foot in mouth disease, she still is kinda rude sometimes. Two things make her likable though. First off, Taran's just-mentioned foot in mouth disease. If there is a way to accidentally insult Eilonwy, he finds it. Every. Single. Time. Secondly, she has grown from the somewhat likable brat of the first book to a truly likable character you really root for, in this book.

Of course, some good lessons are imparted as the book ends, but that is the charm of the series, as I said earlier in my mention of character growth. Alexander had this skill that could marvel C. S. Lewis or J. R. R. Tolkien in presenting morals and lessons in such a way that they actually worked within the story, and you just don't feel preached at. Of particular note, the idea that glory in battle is not to be desired is something Tolkien seemed to hit upon. I thoroughly enjoyed <i>Cauldron</i>, and am looking forward to the third book soon.
I've been reading the entire series aaaall my life. I read it to my children and will soon read it to my grandchildren. I noticed someone tried to make a movie... and botched it up completely mixing up characters from different books and completely losing the heart of what Mr Alexander masterfully put into his written work. Forget the animated movie, the treasure trove of rare gems is found within the pages of this timeless series. I have quoted them often
Unfortunately, 's review process is too one dimensional. The novel told a good story in an interesting way and really allowed us to see the main character mature through the story. From that perspective, I would recommend this story unstintingly. Unfortunately, I wish there was a way to review the edition independently of the book. I have the edition. It was obviously scanned and converted... but never proof read. As a result, the title object is usually referred to in the text as the Cochran, not the cauldron. Needless to say it was very annoying even if I did get use to it after the first few pages.
What can I say? I have always loved this series more than others - more than Narnia, Middle Earth, and Hogwarts. Yes it's a super simple read. There's also a lot less black and white and a lot more growth as Taran goes through it all, and he has to work hard and learn to get where he's going. Work hard as in, struggle through mud, or learn a trade, or embarrass himself and get called on it, realize he was wrong, and strive to do better next time, all really called out in every page. You can't help but understand the even the worst characters and feel sorry for them. Something about these stories, even in high fantasyland, are just more relatable for me and always have been. And I *love* the Wyrd Sisters in this!
In one of the earlier books there's a shocking betrayal by one character, and a heartening---yet tragic----turnaround in the other direction by a different character. When Taran, the protagonist, demands to know how these two disparate people can be mourned, he is told, "I shall mourn (Character Number One) for what he once was, and (Character Number Two) for what he became." Imagine being ten or eleven years old, and used to a fictional diet of dresses and barbies and adventures, and reading *that.* Even as a kid I knew I had stumbled over a great series of books.

Taran Wanderer has wanted to be a hero, a warrior, his whole life-----till he became one. Through four books, Taran has wanted glory but gradually become acquainted with the gritty, deadly, dirty business of fighting wars and battles, gradually realizing that glory is not what it seems and sometimes one can be a hero just for getting up every day, raising a family, growing crops, herding stock, and being a decent human being.

As a kid, he was given the title Assistant Pig Keeper, to make up for the unenviable job of being, well, a pig keeper. Of course, pigs are intelligent creatures, and Prydain's Hen Wen is even more so, being an "Oracular" pig, a pig who can foretell prophecies. As the series has gone on, Taran has ridden into battle and seen his friends fall under his leadership, but the true change in his character shows in a simple exchange, as he agonizes over a difficult decision as a war leader. "Are you a war leader or an Assistant Pig Keeper?" Another character asks him.

"Need you ask, old friend?" Taran responds. "I'm an Assistant Pig Keeper."

In embracing his true place in life, and all his flaws, Taran finally discovers that he can rise above his humble background, and be more than a humble pig keeper, because if you live more for others than yourself, you have tried something more heroic than many people ever even attempt.

"The High King" is a wrenching conclusion to the series, but it's kind of a cathartic wrench. Taran is impatient, leaps headlong into decisions----or once did---and sees, too clearly, the difficulties of the things he must attempt. When he succeeds, it is often only with the assistance of others, or with luck. What makes him special is that he is fully aware of this. He is the sort of person who facilitates and makes it possible for others to achieve heroism or glory, but he doesn't begrudge them that. His apprecation for his friends comes from losing so many so tragically, losses that hit the reader here with great effect and realism, if underplayed for the sake of the younger readers. There is no gore or sex or bad language, though Eilonwy experiences an unmistakably ugly confrontation with a believably evil character. It was so real, in fact, that the magical escape was *almost* too magical. *Almost.* Alexander is a miracle worker in how delicately he balances all the threads here.

Even at the end, Gwydion still has a lesson or two for Taran, who is still quite a young man. Reading this series again after decades, I was struck by how elegant and simple Alexander's writing was, hinting enough to give the reader a push, yet making the reader do some of the heavy lifting. If you don't experience some sniveling at various points in this book, I don't think I want to know you.

In an era of Super Special Chosen Ones with special talents and supernatural skills, it's impossible refreshing to read about a young man who moves forward not because he's special but because he's ordinary yet tries so hard he accomplishes much, who finds the one thing he loves doing, only to realize that he lacks the talent for it, and whose heroism is born, often, of desperation rather than ambition. Taran touches one's heart because he's so much like so many of us. Being ordinary is not what limits you. Never trying is.