Written by Lloyd Alexander
SUMMARY:
Though this fourth Chronicle of Prydain was originally published in 1967, this 272-page Bantam Doubleday Dell paperback reprint was released in April 1990.
Longing to propose marriage to Eilonwy (who is still away on the Isle of Mona), Taran leaves Caer Dalben to discover his true heritage, one hopefully of noble origin. Accompanied by the loyal Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam, Taran’s two-year odyssey takes him across unexpected corners of Prydain where he gradually learns life lessons seasoning him for adulthood. Some of these truths are fairly simple, such as resolving a local dispute between two of King Smoit’s feuding nobles.
Others, such as confronting the malevolent sorcerer, Morda, or defiantly repelling the treacherous thug, Dorath, are far steeper challenges. Yet, the most life-altering and heart-breaking changes unexpectedly await the young adventurer elsewhere on the rural plains of Prydain’s back country. With the aid of some new friends, Taran finds that he must literally forge his own destiny, no matter where it leads him.
REVIEW:
As the most contemplative entry of this five-part series, Taran Wanderer is a moderately-paced episodic fable. Alternating between adventures and timeless insights of human nature, author Lloyd Alexander believably evolves Taran’s increasingly less-naïve perspective of adulthood. As this storyline centers on Taran’s maturity, the book’s sole detriment is Taran’s occasionally condescending platitudes to Gurgi may grow tiresome. Still, his plausible transformation by the book’s end proves most satisfying.
The pivotal contributions of new characters, such as Annlaw the Clay-Shaper; Llasar the Sheepherder; Dwyvach the Weaver-Woman; Hevydd the Smith; Llonio the happy-go-lucky family man and scavenger; the reclusive Craddoc; and even the bullying Dorath imbue a welcome allusion of everyday reality in Alexander’s saga. To their credit, Gurgi, Fflewddur, a cameo by Doli compensate for Eilonwy’s absence by providing the necessary buddy chemistry to boost Taran Wanderer out of morose scenes at the right moments. Rewarding patient readers, this penultimate Chronicle of Prydain is perhaps its most underrated in terms of educational value re: role models.
In terms of a potential big screen adaptation, Taran Wanderer is the saga’s most low-key work, as there’s more non-action than adventure. It would be an intriguing prospect to see Taran’s journey as an epic film.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Alexander provides a short ‘Author’s Note.’
BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 8 Stars
