Reading with Fanfan: The Book of Three (Prydain Chronicles #1)

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary:
Taran wanted to be a hero, and looking after a pig wasn’t exactly heroic, even though Hen Wen was an oracular pig. But the day that Hen Wen vanished, Taran was led into an enchanting and perilous world. With his band of followers, he confronted the Horned King and his terrible Cauldron-Born. These were the forces of evil, and only Hen Wen knew the secret of keeping the kingdom of Prydain safe from them. But who would find her first?


The first time I heard about Taran was when I watched the disney movie The Black Cauldron when I was…I don’t know, maybe ten or so. It’s been one of my favorite disney movies ever since–I really enjoyed the deeper story and more openly dark themes of this movie. It made the hopeful and happy ending even more meaningful to me.
With all that, it’s no surprise that, when I realized not so long ago that The Black Cauldron was based on Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles I immediately added them to my read list.


The Book of Three was only part the inspiration for Disney’s movie (that’s the second book in the series, which I intend to read asap) but it was still a pleasure to get back with Taran, Eilonwy and the others.
Taran is close to what I remember of the movie character, honestly. He’s an honest and brave boy, a little stubborn and hotheaded, but he can admit when he’s wrong and learn from his mistake which, let’s face it, can be lacking in more recently published male characters. Taran’s development is very gradual and organic, which is very appreciated.

Eilonwy is an interesting character as well. She’s more annoying at first than I remember from the movie, a bit haughty in a way and oddly enough I like that she hasn’t completely lost that by the end of the book. It’s nice, for one, to see a female character who is allowed to remain unlikeable (if only slightly so) at least for the duration of one book. (Besides, she does mellow out thoughout this adventure.)

Fflewddur was a surprise, if only because I really didn’t expect his name. Still, he’s an interesting character, and the addition of the harp is a nice touch of humor that I appreciate even better now. I like that despite his boasting and exaggeration he’s still a good person at heart and stands up for Taran and the others when needed.

As for Gurgi… well. Suffices to say he remains my favorite, even if the descriptions do make him sound like a cross between a monkey and the Lorax x)


Overall, I found this book easy and agreeable to read, with interesting characters whose development and adventures make me want to keep reading, not because the plot is fundamentally original (although there is something to be said about a book of high fantasy that focuses on rescuing a pig) but because it’s handled in a refreshing way, with characters who are allowed to be weak and not-so-nice at time.
(Bonus point: The use of Welsh mythology (possibly Celtic in a more generic way?) Which is not that common in works of fiction, and which makes me want to learn more about those myths so I can understand the (potential) symbolism better.)

My final note is a solid 3.5, but I’m rounding down because while I liked the read, I didn’t feel enthusiastic enough for a four–possibly because I was a little too caught up in my memories from the movie to appreciate the story in full, but what can I say. I’ll always be a little girl at heart ;)