World Famous Comics: The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain)
The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain)
By: Lloyd Alexander Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 208 Publication Date: May 16, 2006 Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Release Date: May 16, 2006
The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions!
Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly Doli—all of whom have become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate of the legendary land of Prydain. Released over a period of five years, Lloyd Alexander’s beautifully written tales not only captured children’s imaginations but also garnered the highest critical praise.
The Black Cauldron was a Newbery Honor Book, and the final volume in the chronicles, The High King, crowned the series by winning the Newbery Medal for “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”
Henry Holt is proud to present this classic series in a new, redesigned paperback format. The jackets feature stunning art by acclaimed fantasy artist David Wyatt, giving the books a fresh look for today’s generation of young fantasy lovers. The companion book of short stories, The Foundling is also available in paperback at this time.
In their more than thirty years in print, the Chronicles of Prydain have become the standard of excellence in fantasy literature for children.
The second in the series of Alexander's Prydain Chronicles When I first read this book in 1985, the book cover had the Disney movie poster on it and I was surprised to see how little resemblance there was between the film and the book. The second book in Alexander's superlative series has Taran sitting in a council of men for the first time and being assigned to aid Prince Gwydion in finding and destroying a weapon, the Black Crochan (or cauldron) that gives life to dead warriors and is in the hands of Arawn Death-Lord.
Taran learns more of what being a man entails from the gentle Adaon, son of the Chief Bard of Prydain and the hotheaded Ellidyr, Prince of Pen-Llarcau. Faithful Gurgi also returns, as does Fflewdur Fflam, Dallben, and Coll. Also introduced in this book are three witches named Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch and they make appearances in other books as well.
The book does get a little darker here, as themes of life and death as well as baser human traits such as haughtiness and pride are seen in the characters and the situations they find themselves in.
Great Fantasy Lloyd Alexander was one of my favorite authors as a young adult and his work has really held up now that I'm an adult. The stories and characters are just so well crafted and executed. This is a great book to go back to or to get for someone who is just starting to explore the realms of fantasy.
Not Free SF Reader Pig-boy gets to be a bit princely, but has problems with undead, goddesses, etc.
This is a reasonably diverting kids book, and doesn't take itself too seriously, even with putting in the Celtic legends about magic pots that can bring the dead back to life, and the various deities that are associated with that sort of thing. Your evil witch queen of the undead type person, at least, of sorts. So, a good one for the kids, for sure.
The Black Cauldron The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander is an interesting book that I would recommend to people to all ages.The story opens up at their cottage,while they are trying to find or get a counselor.After the meeting they were still trying to get a counselor so after the Prince heard about them talking who is the counselor, he just said that he was the counselor but he really wasn't.One day they realized that something was missing!So they went to go look for it because it wasn't theirs it was theirs it was the three wtches.When they were out looking it started to rain so they had to find some where to stay, so they found this cottage and stayed their.When they were their they ran into the three witches and they said they wanted to turn them into frog/toads.There names were Orwell, Rod, and Orgoch.So will they get the cauldron back???When they found the cauldron they found out that it was the three witches.So they felt bad.After they found that out they gave it to back to the three witches, and they didn't turn them into toads/frogs they were happy about that but sad about the black cauldron. The setting takes place at two places but it takes place mostly at cottage/outside.The cottage/outside is dark,creepy,and old.The people are scared and frightend because of how dark,creepy,and old it is. I recommend this book because it is exciting!!!
Do Not Read The Black Cauldron The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander is an adventurous book that I wouldn't recommend to any age. First Taran is trying to find a counselor. They also have problems with the cauldron, it got stolen two different ways. Taran had looked everywhere for it! There are three witches that are mangy and ugly. Their names are Orrwen, Orddu, and Orgoch. These three witches wanted to turn Taran into a toad! The witches also owned the black cauldron but Taran had stole it. Now the the witches want Taran, so they can get to the cauldron and also turn him in to a toad. Taran is a pig boy that learns that life of a true hero involves painful sacrifices. The three witches are scary and evil. The witches are determined to get cauldron back. The witches want to turn Taran and his people to become toads, then the witches would have their cauldron. The cauldron is an important item to everyone. The cauldron is about half the size of a man, and black.The black cauldron is also very wide, that way all three witches could fit around it and add all the ingredients. The witches want the cauldron back because they want to make a potion to turn Taran in to a toad. I recommend you don't read this book because its not very exciting. I really don't think you would like this book weather you like books or not! You wont enjoy this book... guarenteed.
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