This is not my favorite of The Chronicles of Prydain. I think I like it less because it is so much more traditional in its form and is focused squarely on Taran. There's some lovely writing here and the story itself has some beautiful bittersweet moments, but the almost ritualistic hero's journey of this book leaves me a little cold.

With Eilonwy off learning to be a proper princess, Taran and Gurgi set off to discover who Taran's parents are. Along the way they meet bandits (like Robin Hood, only not very pleasant - then again, maybe Robin Hood wasn't all that pleasant, either) and farmers and craftsmen and Taran makes stops along the way learning what each of them does, trying on each kind of life like a new cloak.

There's plenty of learning to be had here and lots of character development, but not nearly as much humor and without Eilonwy I don't like the book as much. I guess she's my hero in these books. ( )

This is the best of Alexander's Prydain novels, in my opinion. It's less concerned with princes and wars than it is focused on Taran's growth from a boy into a man. By turns joyful and bittersweet, this was wonderful. ( )

The first half of this book is somewhat boring. But, once it hits the middle, it gets really good and interesting. However, it gets even better in the last few chapters when Taran, the main character, begins wandering around and learning a lot of different skills and ideas from different people that share them with him. He also, in this part of the book, is in a setting (a setting that everyone always is in) where he is learning from those older than him and being a follower, to turning around and being a leader to those younger than him. That situation is really cool to see in this book because Taran, when being the leader, is leading someone that is in the exact same position that he was in at the beginning of these chronicles. It's funny because Taran has grown up and matured so much since then and he now has the opportunity to help another go through the same process. ( )

Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
3 out of 5 stars

Taran Wanderer Book Four in the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander was a well organized, thought inducing read.

Assistant Pig-keeper Taran of Caer Dallben has fantasized about this quest for many years. He wishes to wed Princess Eilonwy, but he can not until he learns of his parentage. Secretly hoping to be of noble birth, Taran and his faithful companion, Gurgi, set off. Early on in his Quest Taran displays wisdom, kindness, courage, and loyalty, but as the journey lengthens and lies develop, Taran has his own share of shame, guilt, weakness, unsureness, and sadness. Quickly the Quest turns from being a search for the identity of Taran’s parents, to a Quest of learning. A learning of understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and what it truly means to be one’s self.

What I like about this book is the connection between the main character, Taran, and the reader. You get giddy and happy when Taran triumphs or succeeds. Your brow furrows when Taran is thinking, as if you where the one making the decisions. You redden and feel embarrassed when Taran acts shamefully. The reader feels the same emotions as Taran, so they also go on a journey not just through the pages of this book, but also learn what it means to be a friend and person.

It isn’t the easiest book to understand, and that is a con. The way the characters talk and use older words makes it hard to follow along and join the characters in their conversations and time together. This book is full of life lessons that are hard to grasp. You may share emotions with the characters, but it is difficult to share much else with them.

Taran Wanderer was as adventure full of thought and lessons on personal growth that stood out in a strange and unique flow and language.

Date Reviewed: July 17th, 2008 ( )

Of the five books that make up the Chronicles of Prydain, this one is the most oddly structured. It is also my favorite. Following the events in The Castle of Llyr, Taran decides he must find out about his true parentage. Taran sets out accompanied by Gurgi. First he seeks out the witches of the Marshes of Morva, but since they will only trade for information (and being poor, Taran has nothing to trade), he settles for being told of the magical Mirror of Llunet faraway in the mountains, which he is told will show his true heritage. He shelters with a famer, settles a dispute for King Smoit, rescues Doli and the fair folk from the power of the evil wizard Morda, runs afoul of the mercenary Dorath, lives with Craddoc, a farmer he believes is his father, and studies the tradecrafts of smithing, weaving, and pottery with master craftsmen from the Free Commots. Taran finds the Mirror, a pool of still water in the cave, but it is destroyed by Dorath after Taran views only a glimpse, which reveals only his own reflection.

Taran in this book is a direct contrast to the Taran of The Book of Three. While Taran in The Book of Three wanted to become someone else: a hero, a warrior, someone famous and rich; the Taran in this book is looking for who he really is. Where Taran in The Book of Three jumps without thinking and fails at almost everything he tries, Taran here is wise enough to accept instruction, and consequently, ends up succeeding at almost every task he takes up. Without realizing it, Taran has grown up and become the hero he wanted to be. ( )