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metaphorosis's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars - Metaphorosis Reviews
With his friend Eilonwy off learning about princessing, Assistant Pig Keeper Taran begins to worry about his parentage. With faithful companion Gurgi, he sets off to learn about himself.
There's little in this book that will surprise an experienced adult reader of fantasy. For younger readers, though, Taran Wanderer is a pretty fine book It's a solid discovery adventure that never loses track of the fun, while still being packed full of solid, serious morals about values. Even without Eilonwy, this is a much stronger and less formulaic offering than the previous entry, The Castle of Llyr. It's the quintessential 'finding what you weren't looking for' story.
Despite the strong story and the easily swallowed morals, it's not perfect. In particular, Alexander continues to completely bypass Gurgi, the most interesting character in the series. He continues to play loyal, devoted servant, and to be broadly unacknowledged. For example, Taran spends a good portion of the book making things - always for himself. Not once does he think, 'Hey, Gurgi stands by me and keeps saving my life. Maybe I should do something for him.' It's a disappointment, and a missed opportunity that actually undercuts the book's moral messages.
Regardless of that flaw, Taran Wanderer is a fine continuation of the series, and well worth picking up.
With his friend Eilonwy off learning about princessing, Assistant Pig Keeper Taran begins to worry about his parentage. With faithful companion Gurgi, he sets off to learn about himself.
There's little in this book that will surprise an experienced adult reader of fantasy. For younger readers, though, Taran Wanderer is a pretty fine book It's a solid discovery adventure that never loses track of the fun, while still being packed full of solid, serious morals about values. Even without Eilonwy, this is a much stronger and less formulaic offering than the previous entry, The Castle of Llyr. It's the quintessential 'finding what you weren't looking for' story.
Despite the strong story and the easily swallowed morals, it's not perfect. In particular, Alexander continues to completely bypass Gurgi, the most interesting character in the series. He continues to play loyal, devoted servant, and to be broadly unacknowledged. For example, Taran spends a good portion of the book making things - always for himself. Not once does he think, 'Hey, Gurgi stands by me and keeps saving my life. Maybe I should do something for him.' It's a disappointment, and a missed opportunity that actually undercuts the book's moral messages.
Regardless of that flaw, Taran Wanderer is a fine continuation of the series, and well worth picking up.
amanda_noel's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 which I feel bad about because it was a ridiculously fast read, but rounded down mostly to distinguish from how I felt about it vs other books in the series so far
winterbat's review against another edition
4.0
One of the few and rare coming-of-age stories that I actually could see the progress of and feel sympathy for the character doing the growing. Taran has grown from a rather vain and unlikeable brat at the beginning of the series, to a grown-up yet still naive dreamer during this book, to a man of integrity, experiences, and wisdom at book’s end, and it feels earned and not sudden. And this growth and lessons learned does not paint Taran as suddenly perfect and without flaws, yet still makes him likeable in spite of the flaws.
sarsaparilla's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this so much. What a wonderful journey of self-discovery. This has been my favourite so far in this re-read.
ejdelorenze's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this one better than the last few. Taran’s story made for a really nice quest. Very satisfying.
simpsonfanomg's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zfranks's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so glad to have read this again as an adult. Such a great fantasy parable with a great lesson at the center. Each of these books makes the others better through their progression
brassaf's review against another edition
4.0
Here, at the end (just finished reading book 5), I realize I never put thoughts on digital paper about book 4. Alas, the world may never know, unless they read the history of the world (The Book of Three) where surely my thoughts are recorded without me even knowing.
comadivine11's review against another edition
5.0
These are simple tales but highly enjoyable. They contain life lessons/advice doled out within the story, albeit given by an eternal optimist which I'm guessing Lloyd Alexander was, lol. Through his journeys and experiences Taran begins to understand and appreciate these lessons and becomes a better and wiser person for them. Still wish I had read these as a kid but better late than never.
sidebraid's review against another edition
3.0
I re-read all of the Chronicles of Prydain recently and surprised myself by liking this book the most. I know that wasn't the case in my first reading, back when I was in middle school. In fact, if memory serves, this was probably my least favorite, a long slog a had to get through before diving into the treats in the final book.
Now that I'm older and wiser...or maybe now that I have a longer attention span and a greater appreciation for the difficulties of "scratching for my own worms," I really enjoy this book. No longer do I see it as a pointless slog to be endured. From Taran's initial conversation with Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch to his final moments (mild spoilers) beside the Mirror of Llunet, it impressed me with the richness of its insights. The perils in this book are perhaps more mundane than those in the others, but also, perhaps, more dire. Indeed, I don't think Taran ever faced greater challenges than he did during his time with Craddoc. And who cannot relate to Taran's anguished discovery at Annlaw Clay-Shaper's that "the one skill I sought above all [is] denied me" (p. 248).
I think as a middle-schooler, I missed Eilonwy's presence. Now, I rather relish her absence. Not because of any ill-will toward her character, but because her presence would be a hindrance in this book. This book is all about Taran becoming Taran, testing his strength, probing his limits, and coming to terms with himself.
Now that I'm older and wiser...or maybe now that I have a longer attention span and a greater appreciation for the difficulties of "scratching for my own worms," I really enjoy this book. No longer do I see it as a pointless slog to be endured. From Taran's initial conversation with Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch to his final moments (mild spoilers) beside the Mirror of Llunet, it impressed me with the richness of its insights. The perils in this book are perhaps more mundane than those in the others, but also, perhaps, more dire. Indeed, I don't think Taran ever faced greater challenges than he did during his time with Craddoc. And who cannot relate to Taran's anguished discovery at Annlaw Clay-Shaper's that "the one skill I sought above all [is] denied me" (p. 248).
I think as a middle-schooler, I missed Eilonwy's presence. Now, I rather relish her absence. Not because of any ill-will toward her character, but because her presence would be a hindrance in this book. This book is all about Taran becoming Taran, testing his strength, probing his limits, and coming to terms with himself.