|
I'd last read these books in Primary school, many decades ago. What's the background to Gurgi? I'm getting very Gollum vibes, and wasn't the best friend of Gilgamash sorta like that (though undoubtedly bigger and stronger for the propaganda value). Is there such a creature in Welsh lore?
|
# ? May 28, 2023 11:57 |
|
|
# ? May 15, 2024 04:33 |
|
Kestral posted:I really want to know what Gurgi looks like, because the descriptions in the book never quite managed to cohere into a picture in my head, and there's precious little fan-art of him out there for some reason.
|
# ? May 28, 2023 15:47 |
|
For me, it's the Evaline Ness covers or nothing. As for Gurgi, there's a character named Gwrgi who appears in the Triads a few times, but he doesn't seem to have much relation to our Gurgi other than being sort of animal-like.
|
# ? May 28, 2023 22:39 |
|
Having encountered the movie long before the books I have the Disney versions of most characters in my mind for most of the characters, especially Gurgi who looks like this in the film: This kind of half dog, half squirrel little muppet-looking thing. Honestly, the only two designs that the Disney movie got wrong were Fflewdur and the Horned King. Book Fflewdur is supposed to be a guy in his 30s with crazy blond hair, basically this 80s David Bowie looking MFer, and in the Disney movie he's an old rear end man for some reason. The Horned King, meanwhile, is supposed to be this jacked as poo poo barbarian in the books who just wears a horned skull as a mask, but in the Disney movie he's this skeletal lich like sorcerer more in keeping with how Arawn is depicted when we finally get around to maybe meeting him. It's a great design for what they decided to adapt the story into for the movie, but as a 1:1 book adaptation it's just so wrong.
|
# ? May 28, 2023 22:49 |
|
Chapter 13: The Hidden Valleyquote:THE IMPACT OF THE HEAVY, furry body caught Taran full in the chest, and sent him tumbling. As he fell, he caught a glimpse of Fflewddur. The bard, too, had been borne to earth under the paws of another wolf. Eilonwy still stood, though a third animal crouched in front of her. Taran's hand flew to his sword. The gray wolf seized his arm. The animal's teeth, however, did not sink into his flesh, but held him in an unshakeable grip. At the end of the ravine a huge, robed figure suddenly appeared. Melyngar stood behind him.The man raised his arm and spoke a command. Immediately, the wolf holding Taran relaxed his jaws and drew away, as obediently as a dog. The man strode toward Taran, who scrambled to his feet. So, a few things here, that I saved to the end coz I couldn't find a good break to put commentary in. 1) We meet Medwyn! A sort of Noah figure; however, in the Welsh myth, there is Dwyfan & Dwyfach, who built the ship Nefyd Naf Neifion - you can see the comparison to the name of the shipbuilder Alexander users - who carried a pair of each species to repopulate Britain. What's interesting in comparison to the Welsh myth is that Medwyn is alone here - he has no companion. Or, perhaps, he does, and they are simply not featured in the story. 2) The conversation between Taran and Medwyn concerning Gurgi always reminds me a lot of the conversation Gandalf and Frodo have concerning Gollum, though this one has a decidedly more positive bent. 3) The story of Gwythyr and the Lame Ant is lifted from The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen, which is a story about a hero, Culhwch (or Kilhuch as Alexander anglifies it here), who is destined to marry Olwen, beautiful daughter of the chief of the giants, and in order to do so is given a great number of tasks which he accomplishes by help of his companions, who are bestowed upon him by Arthur - yes, that Arthur.
|
# ? May 31, 2023 14:24 |
|
Taran learning the paramount rule of Prydain, not to infringe on anyone’s mysterious ambiguity. Thank you so much for posting these, they’re bringing back all sorts of wonderful and amusing memories, like my childhood tendency to mix up Lloyd Alexander and Christopher Lloyd.
|
# ? May 31, 2023 17:34 |
|
Selachian posted:For me, it's the Evaline Ness covers or nothing. Hell yeah, these are the ones the school library had. I'm so excited I stumbled onto this thread in the early going. I treasured these books, and I'm already loving the trip back in time.
|
# ? May 31, 2023 22:41 |
I have that pink cover anthology of all five books, myself
|
|
# ? May 31, 2023 22:47 |
Selachian posted:For me, it's the Evaline Ness covers or nothing. We don't get that kind of "not good, only amazing" cover art any more, and the world is poorer for it. Lookit dat PIGGY! Wasn't there an obvious and painful Gurgi knockoff somewhere in Terry Goodkind too?
|
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 16:17 |
|
Hieronymous Alloy posted:We don't get that kind of "not good, only amazing" cover art any more, and the world is poorer for it. Lookit dat PIGGY! Wouldn't surprise me. Then again, Alexander was also obviously trying to do a "What if Gollum, but a good person?" character with Gurgi, so it wouldn't surprise me if other authors had similar ideas or just ripped him off outright.
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 16:56 |
|
Hieronymous Alloy posted:We don't get that kind of "not good, only amazing" cover art any more, and the world is poorer for it. Lookit dat PIGGY! They get overlooked a lot, but Alexander also wrote, and Ness illustrated, a couple of picture books set in Prydain -- Coll and His White Pig (where Hen Wen gets kidnapped, again, and Coll has to save her) and The Truthful Harp (about how Fflewddur got his harp). Worth seeking out for kids who can't handle chapter books yet.
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 17:13 |
|
Selachian posted:They get overlooked a lot, but Alexander also wrote, and Ness illustrated, a couple of picture books set in Prydain -- Coll and His White Pig (where Hen Wen gets kidnapped, again, and Coll has to save her) and The Truthful Harp (about how Fflewddur got his harp). Worth seeking out for kids who can't handle chapter books yet. Both of those stories were then shoved into an ad hoc sixth Prydain book, The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain, which hopefully Wahad will cover after the main five books are finished. But we'll see.
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 17:19 |
|
I think Terry Goodkind had more of a 'what if Gollum, but Gollum' character. God even to 13yo me those books were... unoriginal.
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 19:03 |
|
Strategic Tea posted:I think Terry Goodkind had more of a 'what if Gollum, but Gollum' character. God even to 13yo me those books were... unoriginal. While Terry Goodkind is (was?) indeed terrible, the real LotR rip-off is the Sword of Shannara, a very direct cut and paste job right down to a not-aragorn, a not-gandalf etc, and the two yokels (who are at least humans this time, not hobbits) get separated from their group and go off into the bad guy's lair alone, followed by this gnarly little poo poo who's obsessed with the titular sword, which is the one ring stand-in. Like it really is the LotR trilogy to a blatant degree. I think it was extremely commercially successful, I even read an article once that credited it with beginning the modern boom of fantasy publishing.
|
# ? Jun 1, 2023 23:41 |
|
nine-gear crow posted:Both of those stories were then shoved into an ad hoc sixth Prydain book, The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain, which hopefully Wahad will cover after the main five books are finished. But we'll see. Unfortunately, at this time I don't yet have a copy of the short story anthology. But since I'll be at this for a little while yet, I'll see about getting one somewhere along the line.
|
# ? Jun 2, 2023 07:15 |
|
Wahad posted:Unfortunately, at this time I don't yet have a copy of the short story anthology. But since I'll be at this for a little while yet, I'll see about getting one somewhere along the line. I just bought it myself on Amazon the other day, so it's still available out there.
|
# ? Jun 2, 2023 15:59 |
|
Genghis Cohen posted:While Terry Goodkind is (was?) indeed terrible, the real LotR rip-off is the Sword of Shannara, a very direct cut and paste job right down to a not-aragorn, a not-gandalf etc, and the two yokels (who are at least humans this time, not hobbits) get separated from their group and go off into the bad guy's lair alone, followed by this gnarly little poo poo who's obsessed with the titular sword, which is the one ring stand-in. Like it really is the LotR trilogy to a blatant degree. I think it was extremely commercially successful, I even read an article once that credited it with beginning the modern boom of fantasy publishing. Oh poo poo you're right. I mean Terry Brooks (Shannara) not Goodkind!
|
# ? Jun 2, 2023 19:01 |
|
Chapter 14: The Black Lakequote:THAT NIGHT MEDWYN prepared a feast for the travelers. The disorder left by the breakfasting bears had been cleared away. The cottage was snug and neat, though even smaller than Caer Dallben. Taran could see that Medwyn was indeed unused to entertaining human visitors, for his table was barely long enough to seat them all; and for chairs he had been obliged to make do with benches and milking stools. Medwyn sat at the head of the table. The fawn had gone to sleep, but the wolves crouched at his feet and grinned happily. On the back of his chair perched a gigantic, golden-plumed eagle, watching every movement with sharp, unblinking eyes. Fflewddur, though still apprehensive, did not allow his fear to affect his appetite. He ate enough for three, without showing the least sign of becoming full. But when he asked for another portion of venison, Medwyn gave a long chuckle and explained to the amazed Fflewddur it was not meat at all but vegetables prepared according to his own recipe. Medwyn, vegan advocate since time immemorial. But the party is on the road again, with a much better feeling Gurgi, to see their journey done. quote:THE FIRST DAY'S MARCH was less difficult than Taran had feared. This time he led the way, for the bard admitted--- after a number of harp strings had snapped--- that he had not been able to keep all Medwyn's directions in his head. They climbed steadily until long after the sun had turned westward; and, though the ground was rough and broken, the path Medwyn had indicated lay dearly before them. Mountain streams, whose water ran cold and clear, made winding lines of sparkling silver as they danced down the slopes into the distant valley lands. The air was bracing, yet with a cold edge which made the travelers grateful for the cloaks Medwyn had given them. At a long cleft protected from the wind, Taran signaled a halt. They had made excellent progress during the day, far more than he had expected, and he saw no reason to exhaust themselves by forcing a march during the night. We hear the harp play for the first time, thanks to another wonderful simile from Eilonwy. quote:DURING THE NIGHT, however, a gale rose, and by morning a drenching rain beat into the cleft. Instead of slackening, the wind gained in force and screamed over the rocks. It beat like a fist against the travelers' shelter, then pried with searching fingers, as if to seize and dash them into the valley. They set out nevertheless, holding their cloaks before their faces. To make matters worse, the path broke off entirely and sheer cliffs loomed ahead of them. The rain stopped, after the travelers had all been soaked to the skin, but now the rocks were slippery and treacherous. Even thesure-footed Melyngar stumbled once, and for a breathless moment Taran feared she would be lost. The mountains swung a half-circle around a lake black and sullen below threatening clouds. Taran halted on an outcropping of stone and pointed toward the hills at the far side of the lake. Well, so much for that. Book's over, everyone drowned.
|
# ? Jun 3, 2023 15:46 |
|
Wahad posted:Chapter 14: The Black Lake I did think it was an interesting and bold choice to fill the four subsequent books with nothing but blank pages, but honestly I can respect it.
|
# ? Jun 3, 2023 20:54 |
|
Medwyn's offer to Taran is interesting given the events and ending of book 5. I have to assume Lloyd Alexander knew the general beats and such, but how much does Medwyn know about Taran? Does he make that offer because he knows Taran would refuse? (Because if he did decide to stay with Medwyn, the repercussions would be pretty bad for everyone and everything).
|
# ? Jun 4, 2023 20:04 |
|
regulargonzalez posted:Medwyn's offer to Taran is interesting given the events and ending of book 5. I have to assume Lloyd Alexander knew the general beats and such, but how much does Medwyn know about Taran? Does he make that offer because he knows Taran would refuse? (Because if he did decide to stay with Medwyn, the repercussions would be pretty bad for everyone and everything). This is also just Taran's whole deal summed up in a single scene: people (benevolently) temping him with offers to derail his quest and become a completely different person in the process, and Taran going "Nah, I'm cool. Thanks though. See ya!" and then leaving.
|
# ? Jun 4, 2023 20:19 |
|
Chapter 15: King Eiddilegquote:DOWN HE SPUN, battling for air, in a flood that broke upon him like a crumbling mountain. Faster and faster the waters bore him along, tossing him right and left. Taran collided with something--- what it was, he could not tell--- but he clung to it even as his strength failed him. There was a crash, as though the earth had split asunder; the water turned to foam, and Taran felt himself dashed against an unyielding wall. He remembered nothing more. Good news, the party didn't drown. Bad news, they've been kidnapped. quote:TARAN BLINKED. With Fflewddur and Eilonwy he stood in the center of a high-vaulted chamber, glittering with lights. Gurgi was nowhere in sight. Their captors were half-a-dozen squat, round, stubby-legged warriors. Axes hung from their belts and each man had a bow and quiver of arrows on his shoulder. The left eye of the short, burly fellow who stood beside Eilonwy was turning greenish-black. We meet Eiddileg, King of the Tylwyth Teg - the welsh version of the Fair Folk / Aes Sídhe of the folklore of the British isles. The Tylwyth Teg are said to have five species, of sorts; the Elves, the Fairies of the Mines (here as dwarves), the household fairies (similar to brownies), the fairies of the lakes (here as the Lake Sprites) and the fairies of the mountains, who are more spooky, like hags. I don't know if Eiddileg is directly lifted from folklore, I couldn't find any information on him, but I love the character Alexander gives him here. quote:"That's something to be thankful for," the King said at last. "The Children of Evening have evidently got together again. Not as good as you might want, but they'll manage somehow." We found Hen Wen, y'all!
|
# ? Jun 7, 2023 20:14 |
|
Wahad posted:Chapter 15: King Eiddileg I did not remember all these little episodes in the first book! Definitely jumps around a bit, the put-upon bureaucrat as the fairy king is not something I would have fully understood/appreciated as a child.
|
# ? Jun 7, 2023 23:54 |
|
Chapter 16: Doliquote:TARAN TURNED ACCUSINGLY to King Eiddileg. "You said nothing of Hen Wen." Rejoice, for the pig is still alive. quote:Rolling and waddling on her short legs, Hen Wen followed Taran happily, while the Fair Folk proceeded across the fields to where a stocky figure waited. The captain of the troop announced that this was Doli, the guide Eiddileg had promised. Doli, short and stumpy, almost as broad as he was tall, wore a rust-colored leather jacket and stout, knee-high boots. A round cap covered his head, but not enough to conceal a fringe of flaming red hair. An axe and short sword hung from his belt; and over his shoulder, he wore the stubby bow of the Fair Folk warrior. Taran bowed politely. The dwarf stared at him with a pair of bright red eyes and snorted. Then, to Taran's surprise, Doli took a deep breath and held it until his face turned scarlet and he looked about to burst. After a few moments, the dwarf puffed out his cheeks and snorted again. Pigs. Not the quietest of sleeping companions. Whoda thunk? Also, we meet Doli - who, like Eiddileg, is not the most agreeable fellow, but all his complaining seems to hide a great deal of skill; just like his king. quote:NEXT MORNING they turned their backs on the Eagle Mountains and began heading for what Taran hoped would be Caer Dathyl. As the trees rose more densely around them, Taran turned for a last glimpse of the Eagle itself, tall and serene in the distance. He was grateful their path had not led them over it, but in his heart he hoped one day to return and climb its towers of sun-flecked ice and black stone. Until this journey, he had never seen mountains, but now he understood why Gwydion had spoken longingly of Caer Dathyl. His thought led Taran to wonder again what else Gwydion had expected to learn from Hen Wen. When they halted, he spoke to Fflewddur about it. The gwythaints, you may remember, were Arawn's servants. So finding one can't be good news. To be continued!
|
# ? Jun 10, 2023 15:25 |
|
Good old Doli! I remember him being a favorite of mine when I was a kid, so I'm looking forward to seeing more.
|
# ? Jun 10, 2023 18:30 |
|
GodFish posted:Good old Doli! I remember him being a favorite of mine when I was a kid, so I'm looking forward to seeing more. One of the stories in The Foundling has a cameo from Doli in it, and reading it all these years later after the main books was like being reunited with an old friend... who's a complete loving rear end in a top hat, but that's beside the point
|
# ? Jun 10, 2023 19:33 |
|
Strategic Tea posted:Oh poo poo you're right. I mean Terry Brooks (Shannara) not Goodkind! But Goodkind does have a character called Samuel who is a Gollum analogue, at least in appearance and somewhat in behavior.
|
# ? Jun 10, 2023 20:29 |
|
Chapter 17: The Fledgling.quote:THE GWYTHAINT HUNG like a crumpled black rag, one wing upraised, the other folded awkwardly on its breast. No larger than a raven, it was young and barely out of its first moult; the head seemed a little too big for its body, the feathers thin and quilly. As Taran cautiously approached, the gwythaint fluttered vainly, unable to free itself. The bird opened its curved beak and hissed warningly; but its eyes were dull and half-closed. The companions had followed Taran. As soon as Gurgi saw what it was, he hunched up his shoulders, and with many fearful glances behind him, turned and crept off to a safe distance. Melyngar whinnied nervously. The white pig, undisturbed, sat on her haunches and looked cheerful. Doli, as we see here, is a very skilled craftsman; he just oughta set more achievable goals for himself. quote:Taran lined the bottom of the cage with leaves, gently put the gwythaint inside, and they resumed their march. Doli now led them at a faster pace, to make up for the time they had lost. He tramped steadily down the hill slopes without even turning to see whether Taran and the others were able to keep up with him. The speed of their pace, Taran realized, served little purpose, since they were obliged to halt more frequently. But he did not deem it wise to mention this to the dwarf. Throughout the day the gwythaint steadily improved. At each halt, Taran fed the bird and applied the medicines. Gurgi was still too terrified to come near; Taran alone dared handle the creature. When Fflewddur, endeavoring to make friends, put his finger into the cage, the gwythaint roused and slashed at him with its beak. Welp, so much for that bird business. But what's worse, they've run into the Horned King's army once again. quote:The giant figure towered above the men-atarms, who galloped behind him. The curving antlers rose like eager claws. As Taran watched, terrified but unable to turn away, the Horned King's head swung slowly in the direction of the heights. Taran pressed flat against the earth. Arawn's champion, he was sure, could not see him; it was only a trick of his mind, a mirror of his own fear, but it seemed the Horned King's eyes sought him out and thrust like daggers at his heart. Close to the end now...but we're not there yet! A final hurdle to cross for our adventuring party. And they've lost Hen-Wen again, so there's that. As a little note of administration: there's three chapters left to go in this book, and I will be unable to post on saturday, so I will post them all on sunday, because I think they read best in succession as the climax and denouement.
|
# ? Jun 14, 2023 20:43 |
|
Chapter 18: The Flame of Dyrnwynquote:NO SOONER HAD THE NOTES of Gwyn's horn sunk into the hills than Taran started, as though waking from a fearful dream. Hoofbeats drummed across the meadow. Evil has won. Our party has not reached Caer Dathyl in time, despite everything they've tried. quote:WHILE THE DWARF surveyed the marching columns, Fflewddur strode forward. "There is one thing we can do," he cried. "Caer Dathyl lies straight ahead. Let us go on, and make our last stand there." The...end? ---- Chapter 19: The Secret quote:SUNLIGHT STREAMED THROUGH the high window of a chamber pleasantly cool and fragrant. Taran blinked and tried to lift himself from the low, narrow couch. His head spun; his arm, swathed in white linen, throbbed painfully. Dry rushes covered the floor; the bright rays turned them yellow as wheat. Beside the couch, a white, sun-dappled shape stirred and rose up. Gwydion's alive! And...Fflewddur's kind of a badass, it seems, even if he was a fearful one. quote:The authority of the warrior's bearing made Taran drop to one knee. "Lord Gwydion," he murmured. Gwydion's explanation of his time in Oeth-Anoeth reminds me a bit of Gandalf's explanation of his return as The White. "Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." And, in a similar way, where we thought Gwydion had perished, he has now returned to the heroes, stronger than before, to save them in a crucial moment. With a little help from some animal friends. Hen-Wen is no Shadowfax, but she's much more personable. quote:A FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS, when Taran had regained strength enough to walk unaided, Gwydion accompanied him through Caer Dathyl. Standing high on a hill, the fortress alone was big enough to hold several Caer Dallbens. Taran saw armorers' shops, stables for the steeds of warrior, breweries, weaving rooms. Cottages clustered in the valleys below, and clear streams ran golden in the sunlight. Later, Gwydion summoned all the companions to the great hall of Caer Dathyl, and there, amid banners and hedges of spears, they received the gratitude of King Math Son of Mathonwy, ruler of the House of Don. The white-bearded monarch, who looked as old as Dallben and as testy, was even more talkative than Eilonwy. But when at last he had finished one of the longest speeches Taran had ever heard, the companions bowed, and a guard of honor bore King Math from the hall on a litter draped with cloth of gold. As Taran and his friends were about to take their leave, Gwydion called to them. Rewards are given. The quest is done. Time to go home. ---- Chapter 20: Welcomes quote:THE JOURNEY TO CAER DALLBEN was swift and unhindered, for the lords of the southern cantrevs, their power broken, had slunk back each to his own tribe throne. Taran and his companions, with Gwydion himself leading, rode south through the valley of Ystrad. Eilonwy, who had heard so much of Taran's talk of Coll and Dallben, would not be denied a visit, and she, too, rode with them. Gwydion had given each of the companions a handsome steed; to Taran he had given the finest: the gray, silver-maned stallion, Melynlas, of the lineage of Melyngar and as swift. Hen Wen rode triumphantly on a horse-litter, looking intensely pleased with herself. "Hwoinch", indeed. Thus we come to the end of the first book of the Chronicles, the Book of Three! Nobody died (despite Taran's repeated attempts at self-sacrifice), adventure was had, and Taran has learned that being a hero is perhaps rather nothing at all like it is in the tales as he imagined; but he has learned a thing or two besides that, too; that no hero stands alone, and that good people working together can triumph anywhere. Next Wednesday, we'll move on to chapter one of book 2: The Black Cauldron.
|
# ? Jun 18, 2023 20:08 |
|
Wahad posted:The end A great finish! Really takes me back to reading them as a kid. Amongst the nice and worthy life lessons, I don't remember noticing this before: "Dallben interrupted his meditations to be present at the feast; though soon after the festivities, he withdrew to his chamber and was not seen for some time." Mysterious old sage being mysterious? Or an old chap having a nap after a large lunch? Could be a nice little glimpse of his down to earth humanity. Really will get these for my son when he's old enough. I can see why they are so enduringly popular as YA books.
|
# ? Jun 19, 2023 11:44 |
|
I always did love that the story ended with Taran feeling he did nothing but make mistakes, I definitely related at that age to someone who tried to do the right thing but felt like all they did was mess up all the time. As coming of age stories go, this series is one of the best ones at showing the growth from child to adult; Taran always had a decent heart but you can follow the improvements that come from experience with him.
|
# ? Jun 21, 2023 00:43 |
|
MadDogMike posted:I always did love that the story ended with Taran feeling he did nothing but make mistakes, I definitely related at that age to someone who tried to do the right thing but felt like all they did was mess up all the time. As coming of age stories go, this series is one of the best ones at showing the growth from child to adult; Taran always had a decent heart but you can follow the improvements that come from experience with him. I think The Black Cauldron and Taran Wanderer are were Taran really does the most growing up. The Book of Three is just kind of the prelude to that with him kind of bumbling from incident to incident in a lot of ways, but The Black Cauldron is where Taran really becomes competent as a character and a person. The Castle of Llyr meanwhile is mostly Eilonwy's book of character growth with Taran mostly going "Oh for gently caress's sake, really? " to a lot of its shenanigans, and then The High King is like everyone's final exam where they all put what they've learned over the last four books to the test and sink or swim on those merits.
|
# ? Jun 21, 2023 00:56 |
Taran Wanderer is *such* a story. Oddly, The Grey King reminded me a lot of it, book 4 of a 5 book series in that general kind of setting and story. Taran Wanderer preceded it by almost a decade, but I've no idea what kind of link there might have been between Susan Cooper and Lloyd Alexander.
|
|
# ? Jun 21, 2023 02:42 |
|
silvergoose posted:Taran Wanderer is *such* a story. Definitely my favorite of the whole series, yeah.
|
# ? Jun 22, 2023 00:11 |
|
BOOK 2 - The Black Cauldron The second book of five in the series, The Black Cauldron was first published in 1965 and received a Newbery Honor in 1966 for being the runner-up to the year's "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children". Readers may perhaps recognize the title as that of the Disney movie - parts of the book were mashed together with the Book of Three. And while the Book of Three already had some dark tidings, they were mostly distant for our Assistant Pig-Keeper. In the Black Cauldron, the darkness will be quite a bit more personal, as we shall soon see; Alexander touches on this in the Author's Note, as well. quote:If a darker thread runs through the high spirits, it is because the happenings are of serious import not only to the Land of Prydain but to Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, himself. Although an imaginary world, Prydain is essentially not too different from our real one, where humor and heartbreak, joy and sadness are closely interwoven. The choices and decisions that face a frequently baffled Assistant Pig-Keeper are no easier than the ones we ourselves must make. Even in a fantasy realm, growing up is accomplished not without cost. So without further ado, let's get on with it! Chapter 1: The Council at Caer Dallben quote:AUTUMN HAD COME too swiftly. In the northernmost realms of Prydain many trees were already leafless, and among the branches clung the ragged shapes of empty nests. To the south, across the river Great Avren, the hills shielded Caer Dallben from the winds, but even here the little farm was drawing in on itself. For Taran, the summer was ending before it had begun. That morning Dallben had given him the task of washing the oracular pig. Had the old enchanter ordered him to capture a full-grown gwythaint, Taran would gladly have set out after one of the vicious winged creatures. As it was, he filled the bucket at the well and trudged reluctantly to Hen Wen's enclosure. The white pig, usually eager for a bath, now squealed nervously and rolled on her back in the mud. Busy struggling to raise Hen Wen to her feet, Taran did not notice the horseman until he had reined up at the pen. Our first introduction to Ellidyr, Prince of Pen-Llarcau, is none too gentle. He's kind of a jerk, really. But hey, Gwydion's here! The gang's getting back together! quote:AS GWYDION HAD foretold, the rest of the morning brought many new arrivals. A company of horsemen soon appeared and began to make camp in the stubble field beyond the orchard. The warriors, Taran saw, were armed for battle. His heart leaped. Surely this, too, had to do with Gwydion's council. His head spun with questions and he hurried toward the field. He had not gone halfway when he stopped short in great surprise. Two familiar figures were riding upthe pathway. Taran raced to meet them. Adaon is the son of Taliesin, the 'chief bard' in Prydain. And while Adaon himself may not have a counterpart, the name Taliesin is very much known in the context of Welsh folklore; it is thanks to The Book of Taliesin that some of the oldest poems in Welsh have survived to this day. And Doli, as usual, is none too pleased to be around - not even with his powers of invisibility. quote:SOON AFTER MIDDAY, when all had refreshed themselves, Coll summoned them to Dallben's chamber. There, a long table had been placed, with seats on either side. Taran noticed the enchanter had even made some attempt at straightening up the disorder of ancient volumes crowding the room. The Book of Three, the heavy tome filled with Dallben's deepest secrets, had been set carefully at the top of a shelf. Taran glanced up at it, almost fearfully, sure that it held far more than Dallben ever chose to reveal. Lots of new faces in this introduction; and Gwydion reveals to us the purpose of the book; to destroy the Black Cauldron. Exciting!
|
# ? Jun 22, 2023 05:34 |
|
King Smoit is probably my favorite character in the whole series. He's like Santa Claus, but he'll beat the poo poo out of you if you're naughty.
|
# ? Jun 22, 2023 05:46 |
|
Doli, getting the power to be invisible: hahaha, yes! gently caress yeah! Doli, being invisible: what the gently caress. This loving sucks.
|
# ? Jun 22, 2023 17:26 |
|
Same with Gurgi's infinite wallet of food tbh. And maybe Eilonwy's ring? I don't remember but there's a vague sense that it comes into play in book 3.
|
# ? Jun 22, 2023 19:53 |
|
nine-gear crow posted:King Smoit is probably my favorite character in the whole series. He's like Santa Claus, but he'll beat the poo poo out of you if you're naughty. To this day I still occasionally think of being hungry as needing to "line my belly" as Smoit calls it.
|
# ? Jun 23, 2023 13:36 |
|
|
# ? May 15, 2024 04:33 |
|
Chapter 2: The Naming of the Tasksquote:TARAN STARTED from his chair. The chamber was utterly silent. King Smoit, about to say something, remained openmouthed. Only King Morgant showed no sign of amazement; he sat motionless, eyeshooded, a curious expression on his face. And so the plan is drawn. Coll, you may remember from the first novel, once saved Hen-Wen from Arawn's clutches; him being the one to reveal the existence of the backdoor in this case is a neat little call-back to that. quote:As the company began leaving the chamber, Taran stepped beside Ellidyr and held out his hand. "In this task we must not be enemies." Ellidyr continues to be a jerk - but, more importantly, Taran has a new sword! And one that won't put him in the infirmary for drawing it. quote:EILONWY WAS PUTTING AWAY earthen bowls and dishes when Taran hurried into the scullery. "Look!" he cried. "Dallben gave me this! Gird it on me--- I mean, if you please. Say you will. I want you to be the one to do it." Hell hath no fury like an Eilonwy in a scullery.
|
# ? Jun 24, 2023 17:48 |