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    Taran Wanderer
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    Taran Wanderer
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    Taran Wanderer
    Audiobook6 hours

    Taran Wanderer

    Written by Lloyd Alexander

    Narrated by James Langton

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Taran, the assistant pig-keeper who wants to be a hero, goes questing for knowledge of his parentage, hoping that his journey will ennoble him in the eyes of Eilonwy, the princess with the red-gold hair. Accompanied by several loyal friends, Taran begins his search when three wily enchantresses of the Marshes of Morva send him to consult the Mirror of Llunet for the answers he is seeking, cryptically promising that "the finding takes no more than the looking." During his adventures he meets Craddoc, the shepherd, and the common people of Prydain, whom he comes to respect and admire. With their help, he continues his mission to learn the secret of the Mirror and the truth about himself.


    From the Trade Paperback edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateNov 23, 2004
    ISBN9781400085590
    Unavailable
    Taran Wanderer
    Author

    Lloyd Alexander

    Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was the author of more than forty books for children and adults, including the beloved children's fantasy series, the Chronicles of Prydain, one of the most widely read series in the history of fantasy and the inspiration for the animated Disney film, The Black Cauldron. His books have won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal, the Newbery Honor, and the National Book Award for Juvenile Literature.

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    Reviews for Taran Wanderer

    4/5

    981 ratings43 reviews

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    • 4/5
      In which Taran must lose himself to find himself...

      The most literary of the series, Taran Wanderer is probably my favourite thus far. Alexander seems to have got all his Tolkien ambition out of his system, and this book retreats back into a lovely, picaresque character study.

      While several of the main characters return, many - including a couple of notable omissions - get a rest, which allows the format to focus on Taran's development. Here, he surpasses so many young orphan boys of fantasy lore, establishing a quest to genuinely find himself, whatever the answer may be. Along the way, he encounters numerous paragons of evil, of treachery, of cowardice, self-deceit, hypocrisy, and vapidity. At the same time, he meets people completely contented with their lot, and attempts to find his own place in the world.

      There's not as much outright comedy in this book, although there are many moments of truth that earn a warm, knowing smile. And, along with the bard and the Fair Folk, Gurgi provides more than his fair share of joys. Is there any sight more beautiful in this series than that of Gurgi, perfectly cheerful, at the head of a small army of sheep? Adorable.

      I'll be interested to see how Alexander ties things up in the final book, but certainly Taran Wanderer is an admirable continuation of the story.
    • 5/5
      My memory was that this was my favorite book of the series, and the audiobook did not disappoint. Taran is at his best when he is separated from his more able companions; his weakness and inexperience made him easy for me to identify with as a kid, and as an adult I find it all the more appealing. While Gwydion and to a lesser extent Eilonwy are both Mary Sues, Taran comes more slowly to find his defining characteristic. Unusual in fantasy lit, Taran is repeatedly bested in battle. The part of the book I remembered most clearly was the time he spends among the common folk learning their trades. It is poignant and grounding as an introduction a side of the world rarely seen in fantasy and especially in young adult fantasy. And yet it is just fantastic enough that the young man would show quick aptitude for such diverse tasks that in my memory it shines as the best part of the series; I was surprised on this re-read to find what a short chapter of the novel it was.
    • 5/5
      First read 30 odd years ago, rereading again because this series is an absolute joy.
    • 5/5
      Loved this series since childhood reread every so oftern. This is perhaps my favorite, even over THe High King. Really poignant in its depiction of Taran becoming a man.
    • 3/5
      The whole Chronicles of Prydain series is well-written, imaginative, and was my introduction as a kid to a lifetime love of fantasy fiction. These books tackle large philosophical issues like bullying, the nature of heroism, social responsibility, altruism, and good vs. evil. Appropriate for middle-schoolers or even 5th and 6th graders.
    • 5/5
      This was perhaps my least favorite Prydain book growing up; now, it is my most favorite. I cannot help but identify more strongly with it every time I read it. Its message of continuing self-discovery, the way we fail ourselves but keep going, rings stronger and stronger the older I get. This is, for me, the book about growing up. It should never stop compelling me, because I don't plan to stop growing.
    • 5/5
      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 merceny 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.
    • 5/5
      Taran Wanderer is the fourth Chronicle of Prydain and one of the most philosophical. Here Lloyd Alexander pits his Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran against his own worst enemy: himself. As he grows older, Taran begins to think of seriously aspiring to the Princess Eilonwy's hand — but how can he, when he knows nothing of his parentage or birth? Hoping to find a noble lineage that would make him an eligible suitor, Taran sets out with his friends to discover what he can of the world and his place in it. It's a quest story, really, but the object of the quest is self-knowledge rather than a magical item. Of course, there is a magical item that comes in very handy in one of his adventures along the way (Morda's finger — to which Rowling's Horcruxes bear a very direct resemblance). But what Taran is really looking for is within. This sounds like a very 21st-century, self-esteemist, humanist perspective (no thanks!), but it isn't because ultimately Taran doesn't find his fulfillment within himself. He actually faces failure after failure in his own abilities as he travels the Free Commots and seeks to master the various trades and callings of its people. When he does find Craddoc, a humble shepherd-farmer who claims to be his father, Taran must make the hardest choice of all. Throughout the story there's a clear-cut villain in Dorath the outlaw, but on reflection I think he is really just a personification of Taran's own worst side: what he could become. After The Castle of Llyr, this was one of my less-loved of the Prydain stories, probably due to the lack of battles and enchantments and traditionally heroic deeds. But rereading as an adult has made me appreciate its depth a little more. The direction Alexander takes his story is so much more genuine and wholesome than the usual Disney tripe of "look within to find your destiny." Character is critical but it's outside ourselves we must look for lasting fulfillment. What a fantastic setup for the final and most moving Prydain Chronicle... recommended!
    • 3/5
      I'm not a great fan of this book in the series. It kind of dragged in places and jumped from one thing to another without any connection to previous happenings in the story.
    • 4/5
      I could really identify with Taran's struggles.
    • 4/5
      This one is so different from the other Prydain books. It focuses very closely on Taran's development--almost all other characters are missing or seen only in passing--and reads almost like a fable. The last two books have definitely been "set-up" books, deepening the characters and the stakes form what started as a light-hearted series. I don't remember enough about The High King to know if the payoff is worth it, but I'm eager to see.
    • 4/5
      Probably my favorite of the Prydain series. It's a change from the earlier books in that Taran's quest is more personal than public and heroic, and the ending isn't quite as triumphant as his earlier missions. (Also, Eilonwy's absence means less humor than usual.) But I appreciated that he finally comes into his own and learns what is really important about identity (something I took longer to learn myself), and enjoyed his adventures among the Commot folk, especially Llonio the Lucky.
    • 5/5
      The fourth volume in "The Chronicles of Prydain" is yet another compelling adventure. I must say that I found the ending a bit disappointing, but at least it was not something I expected. However, getting there was absolutely fantastic. This book, perhaps more than any other in the series, is chock-full of amazing life lessons and wisdom for readers young and old, and Alexander manages to spin his tales in such a way that one never gets bored reading.
    • 4/5
      I have been re-reading his classic series aloud to my son. It has been many years since I read them so it is also a pleasurable rediscovery for myself. 'Taran Wanderer' is in some ways the most difficult of the series, especially for children. It has fewer adventurous and fantastic elements than the other books. Taran does not have many of his companions around him (except for the faithful Gurgi) and spends the book searching for himself and his parentage in lands far from those familar to him. The book has several emotional low points for Taran, one of which (Craddoc falsely claiming Taran as his son and puncturing all of his high-born dreams) is so depressing that my son didn't want to read on for quite a while; the mood of the whole book is serious and heavy-hearted. Taran persists, however, and comes to some mature realisations about himself.
    • 5/5
      This is a wonderful example of High Fantasy. The fourth in the Chronicles of Prydain series, this book follows Taran as he journeys to find out where he came from. As he travels he meets several different characters who are more than willing to allow him to stay and train in their professions. Taran, upon turning down all of these requests and going to the place where he can truly find out his origins discovers that it doesn't matter where you came from, but the important thing is what kind of person your journey has made you. In a class setting you could try to learn some of the professions Taran is introduced to (like weaving). You could also have your students examine details of the world in which Taran lives and illustrate certain events to form a comic book style version for younger students.
    • 4/5
      Taran Wanderer is quite a bit different from the other books in the series. Taran's quest in this one is much more personal, and he does most of it with only Gurgi by his side. He travels about, engaging in Karate Kid-style training and learning lessons that go beyond the trades that he learns.

      Although it seemed a little obvious and a tad contrived, the lesson of this book is one that I'm glad that my children are hearing, that character and self-worth aren't things we're born with but things we earn. We are who we are, flaws and all. It's a lesson I need to hear myself, again and again.

      I'm enjoying these books, but I find myself craving something with similar lessons but with a female protagonist.
    • 2/5
      I think I say the basically the same thing after reading each book in this series, so again: the plots and writing are too simplistic, and I don't find Taran compelling. Even less so in this book, with all his angst about his origins.

      I've realized that my mental image of Gurgi is that of Taz the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes.
    • 5/5
      Taran begin to feel the walls of Caer Dallben closing around him. He loves Eilonwy and wants to prove that he's worthy of her - but as long as he is nothing but a foundling, he'll never be able to claim her as his own. So he asks for, and is granted permission to, seek his parentage. First, approaches Orddu and her sisters to ask where he should look and they send him on a quest that starts with him losing everything and results in knowledge of his own self-worth and abilities.This is a really good book about growing up and becoming independent. There is definitely wisdom here and it should be required reading for all tweens... In my personal opinion.
    • 4/5
      This one is so very allegorical, but it is signature Lloyd Alexander and enjoyable nonetheless. The inverted Robin Hood is an idea that Alexander may have reused in his later "The Kestrel". Taran is mixing with commoners for the first time. He's an egalitarian sort in some significant ways, and has some commoner skills, but some of these interactions are still a bit clunky.
    • 3/5
      I lost interest in this series for a while, unfortunately. I still feel that I would have liked it a lot more if I'd read it when I was younger: unlike The Dark is Rising, I doubt this is going to be a series I reread.

      It's a coming of age story, with a lot of helpful hints on morality, as with the other books. As before, it's a bit unsubtle, for me. Things from the previous books start to come together: that's one thing this series handles quite well. The mythology is interesting, though not precisely used in the most original of ways.
    • 5/5
      Definitely my favorite of the Prydain Chronicles so far, Taran Wanderer follows Taran and Gurgi on their journey as Taran seeks to learn the truth of his birth in hopes of being worthy of the hand of Princess Eilonwy. Told in picaresque style rather than the high fantasy style of the previous novels, Taran learns many things from a variety of sources before his journey is through. This whole thing just seemed to ring more true to me than the previous high-flying adventures.

      Listening to Listening Library edition narrated by James Langton. Previously read for Children's Literature in Spring 2007.
    • 3/5
      This one was slower than the previous three as far as action and adventure go. As an adult, I still enjoyed the book quite a bit, but it's been my kids' least favorite so far.
    • 5/5
      A childhood favorite that has influenced my own writings and many others'.
    • 4/5
      Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper becomes Taran the Wanderer in order to ascertain his parentage and in the process becomes close friends with the non-royal inhabitants of Prydain and manages to learn what is really of importance in life. Not as much magic as in the other books, but a bildungsroman that sets the stage for the final installment. Without the knowledge Taran gains in these travels, the finale would not be as powerful as it is.
    • 3/5
      Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, who wants to be a hero, goes questing for his parentage in hope that will prove noble for the sake of Eilonwy, the princess with the red-gold hair. Accompanied by several loyal friends, Taran begins his search and is sent by three enchantresses of the Marshes of Morva to consult to Mirror of Llunet for the answers he is seeking. In his adventures, he learns life’s hardest lesson, to accept failure. Taran Wanderer, in a moving climax at the mirror, learns his own identity and the secret of the mirror. This book is more mature than the rest of the series and is an attempt at a coming of age tale for Taran. It as such moves slower and has more introspection or what passes for it. Taran, as a character, maintains his selfishness, whininess, and lack of empathy but under the guise of being more mature. The side characters performs their normal roles with little growth or hope for development. The message of the book is salvageable but its packaging leaves much to be desired.
    • 4/5
      Having been taken in as a foundling by the sorcerer Dallben, and now missing his childhood friend,the Princess Eilonwy, Taran sets off on a quest (with the ever faithful Gurgi in tow) to discover his heritage before he can act on his feelings for her. But will he be as satisfied if he finds he comes of common stock rather than noble, as he dreams?This is book 4 of the Chronicles of Prydain. I feel the story flows more smoothly this time, with some nice details and descriptions. However, the passage of time is somewhat glossed over, such as when Taran is hard at work learning the intricacies of a craft from basics through to the finished product. This is a nicely written children's book about the magical land of Prydain.
    • 5/5
      Fascinating, the changes time brings! This was once my least favourite of the Prydain novels--a set of disjointed episodes with little direct bearing on the grand sweep of the series as a whole. The princess Eilonwy and Lord Gwydion don't even appear in this one, although Alexander finds ways to shoehorn in the other usuals, like Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam. No, what's changed over time is perspective--and change and growth in perspective are what this book's all about, and so I guess it's no wonder kids (or me, as a kid) miss(ed) that. The parts of this that seemed uninspired before now seem canny--the duelling lords, Goryon-the-Valiant-who's-actually-a-coward and Gast-the-Openhanded-who's not that either, who were such hamhanded caricatures that the smart eight-year-old got all offended and fastidious--well, they're meant to be that, of course, with a wink, and the adult sees that Taran's coming of age consists in the reversal of relations between him and his fantasy land. Before he was a junior Quixote, frequently making an ass of himself because the real rules of fairyland were a carnivalized, tricksy version of the epic heroes-are-rewarded-in-this-best-of-all-possible-worlds that he thought he existed in. Not that Alexander's Neil Gaiman, a caster of masques--his Faerie is very much in the traditional mould. But Taran was the callow youth who saw it as more rulebound and reliable than it was, and when he tried to inhabit those forms by aping the epic hero, he was a cock. Now, he understands that things fall apart and rules are slippery, and that you navigate Faerie the exactly the same as you navigate the wonderworld of the Real (what ultimately makes all fairystories compelling)--with a dialogic sense and a reflexivity, with a trust in yourself that doesn't depend on being given "the answer" by the Mirror of Llunet, but on remaining at home within the evershifting boundaries and changes of the subject. So Gast and Goryon are not characters, they're a scenario, a Rabelaisian or Swiftian play of overthetopness, pointed up by the episode where Taran and Gurgi are mistaken for giants--and Taran, smoothly stepping in with a narrative resolution cribbed from King Solomon, gives them the renormative "right answer" their absurd excess seeks. But then he moves on, and all the bits that seemed just a little bit off to the child--the understanding-seeker, the pattern-finder, the narrative-synthesizer--seem appropriately ironized now. I won't do the list; but that's how I found it. And so when Taran goes through another fairy-sequence at the end, learning in heavily symbolic, conventionalized ways that life is in turn a net for catching fish, a smithy for the tempering, a loom for the weaving, clay to be moulded--what he's really learning is that humanness precedes genre, milieu, even fictionality or nonfictionality. He's learning how to see things in shades of grey--that would be the simplest way to boil all this down (the most black-and-white way, ha ha) and that when you know who you are you can wake up and handle yourself tomorrow in a Prydainish cantrev or a call centre. I remember being young and thankfully fitting the Free Commots and Taran's defense thereof into a proto-socialist narrative that does that young kid credit, but it's not what was actually going on. It's showing not only that common folk, and all the craftsman shit they do that the kid was bored by but the adult reflects on with the tolerance of one who has worked, are more important than the Lord Gwydions, but that what you do doesn't depend on your provenance or the story in which you find yourself. There's no epic arc or reward for Taran as he toils beside Craddoc, the good man who's kept him there with lies. There's just knowing that he did his best--confidence in his own strength and a sense of how to engage with, cover for, and in time heal and ameliorate his weaknesses. There's just himself, the only achievable constant (and that only in a very complex sense) in strange, shifting, surprising human life.
    • 4/5
      With Eilonwy away learning to be a lady, Taran find himself yearning for something more... something that will make him worthy of her... noble parentage. And so he goes adventuring, loyal Gurgi at his side, finding much hardship and few answers until at last he sees what was right in front of him all along.Traditional questing, much toil, and plenty of lessons to be learned.
    • 4/5
      The fourth book in the Prydain series is probably my favorite so far. Taran goes on a quest to seek the truth about his parents and encounters many adventures along the way. In the last half of the book, he learns many valuable lessons, lessons that can work for young readers too. He does seek what he is after, but not in the way the reader would expect. This book is probably more thoughtful and deep than the other three, at least in my opinion.
    • 3/5
      Alexander's writing has certainly improved over The Book of Three, and the obvious Tolkien-swipes have all but vanished. Unfortunately, plot-wise this one seems somewhat unsatisfying, feeling more a series of loosely connected moral vignettes than a proper tale.