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la_chouette 's review for:
Taran Wanderer
by Lloyd Alexander
When I started reading the Chronicles of Prydain a few months ago, I did not expect it to grow on me so much. In late 90s and early 00s I truly loved Disney's "The Black Cauldron," but I was not even in my 10s then. Now, at 27, I have finally decided to pick up the books and see for myself what they are truly like.
I still have to read the last book in the series, but I am already having a hard time deciding if my favourite is "The Black Cauldron" or if it's this one. The former is filled with adventure, redemption, sacrifice, and has my very favourite bittersweet aftertaste to it. But this one, oh... Seeing Taran grow from a boy, who makes rash decisions without taking into consideration their results, to a man who is accountable, who is trustworthy, and who more than anything is human, this was a wonderful experience. The book was filled with beautiful language, and I must say it even helped me in understanding a few things about myself.
[Spoiler ahead]
I also loved how Taran went through this phase of learning different skills. And while a little unrelated, my favourite 17th century samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, wrote in his book that a true warrior must know all and every craft from tilling the earth to carpentership, etc. I couldn't help but think of these as I was reading the book, to me Taran was not only on his way of finding who he was, but also on the journey of perfecting himself as a swordsman and a mighty warrior.
[Spoiler over]
This was a perfect book about a journey of a young man trying to find who his parents are but meanwhile discovering who he truly is at heart. Taran was not the perfect hero who made no mistakes. He is now a far cry from the boy in "The Book of Three" but he has retained all of his humanity. He too has despicable thoughts, he too feels shame, he too is tempted to make the wrong decision. There is so much to learn from Taran, and I must say this book will always have a special place in my heart.
I can't wait for when I will have children of my own and read these books together with them.
I still have to read the last book in the series, but I am already having a hard time deciding if my favourite is "The Black Cauldron" or if it's this one. The former is filled with adventure, redemption, sacrifice, and has my very favourite bittersweet aftertaste to it. But this one, oh... Seeing Taran grow from a boy, who makes rash decisions without taking into consideration their results, to a man who is accountable, who is trustworthy, and who more than anything is human, this was a wonderful experience. The book was filled with beautiful language, and I must say it even helped me in understanding a few things about myself.
[Spoiler ahead]
I also loved how Taran went through this phase of learning different skills. And while a little unrelated, my favourite 17th century samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, wrote in his book that a true warrior must know all and every craft from tilling the earth to carpentership, etc. I couldn't help but think of these as I was reading the book, to me Taran was not only on his way of finding who he was, but also on the journey of perfecting himself as a swordsman and a mighty warrior.
[Spoiler over]
This was a perfect book about a journey of a young man trying to find who his parents are but meanwhile discovering who he truly is at heart. Taran was not the perfect hero who made no mistakes. He is now a far cry from the boy in "The Book of Three" but he has retained all of his humanity. He too has despicable thoughts, he too feels shame, he too is tempted to make the wrong decision. There is so much to learn from Taran, and I must say this book will always have a special place in my heart.
I can't wait for when I will have children of my own and read these books together with them.