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Title: The Black Cauldron by LLOYD ALEXANDER ISBN: 0-440-40649-8 Publisher: Yearling Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1985 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.87 (84 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: AN ANCIENT IRON MENACE STALKS PRYDAIN!
Comment: The Companions, as the author frequently calls them, are summoned by Prince Gwydion and the venerable wizard, Dallben, to undertake a perilous quest: to march into the stronghold of the evil Lord of Annuvin, to remove and destroy the black cauldron of heavy iron, which Arawn uses to spawn a vicious breed of Middle World Undead. We are pleased to meet again our old friends from THE BOOK OF THREE: Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper, who longs to be considered a man, Princess Eilonwy with her ready tongue, the story-stretching bard with his fickle harp, and other faithful followers. Yet this book, #2 in a series of 5 Prydain Chronicles, retains its integrity when read alone.
Alas, pride and treachery are rampant in the land bordering Annuvin, whence the dark lord of evil reigns and schemes. Our hot-tempered hero must use both his wits and his heart his to gradually acquire wisdom in this difficult and dangerous odyssey. The small company of adventurers are eager to prove their valor and gain honor, yet they experience the inevitable personality conflicts. How will the companions ward off attacks by The Hunstmen and the foul Cauldron-born who do Arawn's bidding? And who can defeat the black beast that travels on Ellidyr's tattered shoulders?
Yet there is much more to this book than a mere succession of adventures, traps and twists of fate. Many serious themes bubble up between the mayhem that Alexander has set in motion. One reminded me of a later book, THE GIVER: "Give us--the nicest summer day you can remember!" Ah, but is it easy to part with something intangible like a dream or a memory which has become a part of onesself? And this black Crochan, as it is called, emanates evil and possessiveness towards those who think they own it--reminiscent of the ring in THE HOBBIT. Evil can completely dominate one's neutral or natural personality. Just how much will Taran sacrifice or allow his friends to sacrifice for him, in order to obtain and destroy the Black Cauldron?
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the best sequels out there
Comment: The Black Cauldron is just an amazing sequel to The Book of Three. Somewhat darker than the original, this book has several twists and unexpected surprises. Taran joins a band of warriors to seek and destroy a magic cauldron that has the power to raise undead warriors that cannot be defeated. The same characters as in The Book of Three are in this book, as well as characters who both like and despise Taran. The ending is amazing and bloody. I remember seeing the Disney version once when I was like 5(I'm 20), and from what I remember, I liked it then. I haven't seen it again since, but I could tell from its'storyline, that it is a mangled blending of the first two books in the Prydain Chronicles. Maybe it's still a good film by itself, but I think not as a reference to Lloyd Alexanders' creation. Read this one if you read The Book of Three.
Rating: 5
Summary: The movie can't be compared to this masterpiece
Comment: After getting a taste of adventure in "The Book of Three," Taran once again has an appetite for going out and doing heroic things. And the timing couldn't be better, for his childhood hero Prince Gwydion has invited him to help in stealing a bewitched cauldron from Arawn Death-Lord.
Along with the feisty Princess Eilonwy, impetuous bard Fflewddur, simple-minded Gurgi, and gruff dwarf Doli, Taran is joined by two new and very opposite characters: Adaon and Ellidyr. Both have very different ideas about honor, and Taran is forever changed by what he learns from them.
Rounding out the cast of new characters are the delightful enchantresses Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch, as well as the melancholy Gwystyl and proud King Morgant. There's more to all of them than meets the eye.
Taran's quest teaches him more about honor, goodness, sacrifice and loyalty than he ever bargained for. Next to "The High King," I consider this to be the most powerful book in all the Prydain Chronicles.
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Title: The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander ISBN: 0140378251 Publisher: Puffin Pub. Date: February, 1996 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: The Beggar Queen by Lloyd Alexander ISBN: 0440905486 Publisher: Laure Leaf Pub. Date: 01 September, 1985 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: The Dark Is Rising Sequence: Silver on the Tree/The Grey King/Greenwitch/The Dark Is Rising/Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper ISBN: 0020425651 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: October, 1993 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Prydain Companion: A Reference Guide to Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles by Michael O. Tunnell ISBN: 0805072713 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Kestrel by Lloyd Alexander ISBN: 0141310693 Publisher: Firebird Books Pub. Date: June, 2002 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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