The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set

I recently re-discovered these after having read them as a kid (in my late 40s as I write this). They are full of standard tropes (the Dark Lord, the Unlikely Hero from a backwater, the Feisty Princess) and pitched for a pre-teen audience, but I still found them very enjoyable. They are a bit sneaky, too. The plotting is simple, breezy, and fun, but there is good emotional depth here, too, with good coming-of-age lessons. The fourth book, Taran Wanderer, in which the main character, Taran, sets off ostensibly to figure out who his parents are, but really to find himself, especially has some incredible, poignant moments as Taran is forced to confront things about himself that he finds shameful. The coming-of-age lessons for Taran are present in the other books, but are the focus of the fourth book. There are also a bunch of fun, sharply-drawn characters, especially among Taran's recurring companions. The series also features an oracular pig, so what's not to like? The combination of the group of distinct characters and breezy, adventuresome plotting seemed very D&D-like to me, and I found lots of inspiration for stuff I will be putting into my D&D games in the future. I don't give out 5 stars lightly, especially for items of art like books and movies. To me, 5 stars means not just good or very good, but among the best. It is even harder objectively judging a series clearly written for an audience one-third my age or less. But the bottom line is that I became very emotionally invested in the characters, and thought Taran was a good model for transitioning into adulthood and the responsibility for self and others that ensues. I cannot discount that investment as a sign of skilled writing, however breezy the books were on the surface. I am also a sucker for the sorts of lessons of self-sacrifice that recur in the series (this is also why A Tale of Two Cities is my favorite Dickens). Hence, I felt justified in giving this series 5 stars. If you are a young reader, I would highly recommend this series. But I'd still recommend it for older readers such as myself, if you're looking for a quick, light read that just might sneak up and punch you in your gut emotionally. The coming of age lessons in Prydain are not as subtly or sublimely written as, say, LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea, but are highly effective nonetheless. They can be a guide to younger readers, and a reminder to older ones.

I love these books. I'm almost 50 now, but when I was a boy of 8 or so, I had undiagnosed ADHD and just couldn't get into reading. There were too many tv shows and video games and movies. Why would I want to waste my time reading? My teacher mom knew how important reading is to education, and she was distraught that I just hated reading. Someone suggested this series to them and they got it for me. I instantly felt a connection to Taran that has continued to this day. I read it voraciously, and it hooked me on reading for life. I went on to read Narnia and then the Hobbit and LOTR and then on to many other books and series, but it was this series that initially sparked my love of reading. I read it with my ADHD son a few years ago, and he really enjoyed it too. So, maybe it won't work for you or your kid, but it worked for me and then my son. It's fun, the characters are relatable to young people, and it really sparked my imagination as I watched the adventures unfold in my mind's eye. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially preteen kids who are having some trouble getting interested in reading. If you are an adult that enjoys books like Harry Potter, I think you'll enjoy this series, too. I enjoyed rereading it with my son, but I completely understand that rereading something you loved as a kid as an adult is not the same as picking it up fresh as an adult. One interesting thing about this series is that, unlike most other series, it leans heavily on Welsh mythology, which adds a level of fun and makes it different than others in the genre.

This series by Lloyd Alexander is a real treasure—well-written, engaging, and building on the long tradition of legend and fairy tale that has taught us all for so many centuries. Sure, there are "borrowed" elements, if one wants to call them that, but they are not mere pastiche. The story is at once just what you hope for and not quite what you expect. Importantly, the characters grow, learn, mature, and strive to be better people along the way, and the road they take to get there is harrowing and difficult—just like real life. But like all good fairy stories, it shapes our us rather than dictating to us.

Excellent start for the fantasy genre. I’ve read the series several times and have given to my 5th grade grandsons. Since it’s Welsh, the names may be unfamiliar, but it’s a wonderful series.

Fun books for the kids and clean read no weird themes in them. Very a kin to LOTR but easier for young readers to follow.

I have a strong affinity for reading fiction literature; and I really prefer happy endings. But the stories that are often the most moving and memorable are those that are bittersweet, the stories that teach that there is often much loss along the way to much gain, the stories that teach that there are often solutions that are imperfect, but we have to make the best of of them. I just finished reading my youngest the Chronicles of Prydain, this underrated children's series by Lloyd Alexander; and one of the most formative stories that I read as a young man. (My 4th grade teaching read our class the first two books in the series and led to me finding and reading the rest, and then re-reading them.) It is filled with wonderful gems "..every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone." - from The High King by Lloyd Alexander. These are not written to very complex grade level (I am guessing 6-7 grade level); but the themes are very real and poignant in spite of the fantasy setting. There is moving violence, betrayal, and loss. I would probably recommend for mature students in 3/4 grade and up as before then some of the themes might be distressing and even are for mature readers if you sit and think about it.

I first read these books when I was ten, and I immediately loved them. Now, more than twenty-five years later, I find them even better than they were then. While other books considered to be "for children" become shallow as the reader matures, these books instead take on greater depth. An adult's understanding unearths levels of wisdom hidden behind the page and sees what "nobility" really is. The foundling Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran dreams of being a hero, though he hasn't the least idea what it takes to become one. The five books in the series are his adventures as he tries to help Prince Gwydion protect the land from Arawn, Death-Lord, and in the process learns what both true manhood and heroism require. Along the way he is continually confused by the talkative and hot-tempered Princess Eilonwy, helped by the furious dwarf Doli, encouraged by the impetuous and exaggerating bard Fflewddur Fflam, and served by faithful Gurgi of the poor, tender head. The stories are highly enjoyable, the characters both likable and recognizable, the action gripping, and the whole package masterfully written. This Kindle copy is quite good, with only a few typographical errors (like naming a chapter "Raw" instead of "Kaw,") but they are actually fewer in number than my paperback copies. This copy includes the maps of Prydain at the beginning of each book which are found in the hardback versions but which are not in my paperbacks, and which I had sorely missed these twenty years. This compilation is well worth the money.

These books were reminiscent of Lord of the rings but with different characters and story line. My 10 year old daughter and 12 year niece both enjoyed the story even though it’s main character is a boy.

A charming and well written saga easy to read and for all ages. I'm 45 and I started reading fantasy at 12 with The Lord of the Rings, and I wish I had these to read when I was a child! The prose is approachable and the characters are funny and varied. Books are softcovers of appropriate size and weight to read on your bed or during your commute, instead of monstrous 900 pages tomes. Also, as an extra, if you are a nerd and have played Dungeons & Dragons before, you will notice a not insignificant amount of ideas and references Gygax and Arneson included in their game and forgot to attribute in their Appendix N.

Having studied the Mabinogion (ancient Welsh tales on which Alexander’s Prydain is based) at the university, I was sceptical as to whether anyone could create a story capturing the wonderful morals and stories into the modern age. Despite my love for the old Welsh stories, I'd go as far as to say that Alexander's stories were even better to read. Incredible. I shall make sure these are the first books my son reads in the English language.

This series is a treat for youth and adult alike! Being an adult now, with young children, I'm at the phase of life where I'm back to reading children's and young adult books. For whatever reason, I missed out on reading the Chronicles of Prydain when I was younger, and I'm sorry I did! Alexander's fantastical world of Prydain -- more-or-less Wales, but more magical-- jumps to life off the page. The character arc of development of the main character Taran is powerful and profound throughout the pentalogy. The writing is top-notch, as one would expect from a series in which the second and final books were rewarded with Newbery finalist and Newbery medal, respectively. And getting the entire series in a nice (if tight) box with a full-colour map of Prydain is a good way to have the entire set handy at once. Having read through the series now, I am eagerly anticipating my children being old enough to share this series with them... and I might just read it through a couple more times before they are! Recommended for fans of Arthurian legend and Tolkien's writings; not as heavy or weighty, but a fun and brisk read.

A real fantasy classic, interesting characters in a generic but enjoyable fantasy world. Each book is a separate story linked by the same characters. Recommended.

La historia me está encantando. Supe de ella a través de la película Taron y el caldero mágico, que se basa en las crónicas de Prydain, aunque ligeramente. Los cinco libros vienen en una caja junto a un mapa desplegable. Me está resultando muy entretenida y es una pena que en España esta obra esté a la venta de manera discontinua cuando es considerada un clásico de la fantasía épica en el resto del mundo. La recomiendo a lectores de todas las edades.