⋙ Descargar The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set Lloyd Alexander 9780805082746 Books

The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set Lloyd Alexander 9780805082746 Books

Download As PDF : The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set Lloyd Alexander 9780805082746 Books

The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set Lloyd Alexander 9780805082746 Books

In my adolescence, I was a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I came from a very small town and it was easy to miss hearing about other authors who wrote young adult fantasies. It wasn't until over 30 years ago when I was taking a college class about the selection of children's literature that I discovered Lloyd Alexander. The college where I went to school kept a collection of the best children's literature (especially Newbery Award winners). Rather than just having the "High King" in their collection, my college had all five books. I was trying to familiarize myself with any Newbery award authors that I hadn't read in my youth. That is how I first read this series.

I'm not going into the same detail here that you will find in other reviews. However, I recall that my college roommate at the time was also a Tolkien and Lewis fan. I told her that she had to read Alexander, but she didn't want to waste the time on a YA fantasy. We were roommates for more than one semester. At least a year after my recommendation of Alexander, I came into our dorm room and she was bouncing on the bed saying, "I did it! I did it!" She finally had read this series and loved it as much as I did.

However, my fondest memory of Lloyd Alexander is how wonderful a person he was. I don't very often indulge in writing fan letters to authors, but I had always wanted to write to him. As a librarian, I was familiar with a children's authors source book called "Something About the Author." The book had mini-biographies and works listings of living children's authors, and gave contact information for the authors. Most authors' contact information was via their agent or publisher. Alexander was the only author I ever heard of who listed his home address.

I wrote him a letter to his Drexel Hill, PA, residence and received a personal letter in return. He also confirmed my suspicion that Fflewddur Fflam, in both appearance and as an amateur musician, is based on himself (Alexander was an amateur classical violinist). He had also sent me a brochure with a picture of himself that was autographed to me from him and from Fflewddur.

I had written Alexander about 10 years before he passed away, and I am so glad that I didn't keep putting it off. I wish I had had the chance to meet him when he used to come into the Manhattan children's bookstore "Books of Wonder." My hardback set of the Chronicles are autographed copies from that store, but I had purchased them already signed by Alexander.

The one thing that I can recommend is that parents and children should read this series together. It may be written for young adults, but as I learned for myself, it can be enjoyed at any age. I've lost count of how many times I've re-read this timeless classic.


Tags : The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set [Lloyd Alexander] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.,Lloyd Alexander,The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set,Henry Holt & Company,0805082743,Children: Grades 3-4,Juvenile Fiction,Action & Adventure - General,Legends, Myths, & Fables - General,Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction

The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set Lloyd Alexander 9780805082746 Books Reviews

Alexander wrote these Chronicles for older children and I first read them over thirty years ago when my children were reading them. I purchased the series and reread them to see how they stood the test of time. Taran's journey from boyhood to manhood, and fighting to defend Prydain against the enchantments of evil indeed has much to say to today's children. Like the modern movies in the How to Train Your Dragon series, Alexander does not resile from tragedy and sorrow as part of life. I wouldn't be surprised if Alexander was writing today if Eilionwy was even feistier today, though she is independent and fighting gender stereotypes from the beginning. It's a rollicking good yarn for both genders, but with maturity and wisdom distiller for younger readers. There are Dwarves, zombies by another name, enchanters, warriors and heroes. Beautifully written, crafted with grace and humour, I'm looking forward to introducing the series to my grandchildren.
The Chronicles of Prydain was my first introduction into the world of literary fantasy, when I was a child. I still remember reading the stories over and over again as a boy. Before I read the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and long before Harry Potter even existed, I loved these books. Now, I have my own kids, and am thrilled to get to enjoy them all over again with them.

I bought this set to replace the long since destroyed books I read as a child. They were old when I got them, and couldn't survive repeated readings and the ensuing 25 years. The books are a good quality, with lovely cover artwork. They are sitting on my bookshelf, alongside the other fantasy series, and they are a great visual addition. Also, as a bonus, the books come with a nicely drawn map of Prydain, which is likely to end up hanging in my son's bedroom wall.

So, if you are a fan of fantasy series, and you haven't yet read The Chronicles of Prydain, you need to. You will love the stories, the writing, the characters, and the settings. And, if you are going to give it a read, you might as well get a set that looks good too.
I first read these books when I was ten, and I immediately loved them. Now, more than twenty-five years later, I find them even better than they were then. While other books considered to be "for children" become shallow as the reader matures, these books instead take on greater depth. An adult's understanding unearths levels of wisdom hidden behind the page and sees what "nobility" really is. The foundling Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran dreams of being a hero, though he hasn't the least idea what it takes to become one. The five books in the series are his adventures as he tries to help Prince Gwydion protect the land from Arawn, Death-Lord, and in the process learns what both true manhood and heroism require. Along the way he is continually confused by the talkative and hot-tempered Princess Eilonwy, helped by the furious dwarf Doli, encouraged by the impetuous and exaggerating bard Fflewddur Fflam, and served by faithful Gurgi of the poor, tender head.

The stories are highly enjoyable, the characters both likable and recognizable, the action gripping, and the whole package masterfully written. This copy is quite good, with only a few typographical errors (like naming a chapter "Raw" instead of "Kaw,") but they are actually fewer in number than my paperback copies. This copy includes the maps of Prydain at the beginning of each book which are found in the hardback versions but which are not in my paperbacks, and which I had sorely missed these twenty years. This compilation is well worth the money.
In my adolescence, I was a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I came from a very small town and it was easy to miss hearing about other authors who wrote young adult fantasies. It wasn't until over 30 years ago when I was taking a college class about the selection of children's literature that I discovered Lloyd Alexander. The college where I went to school kept a collection of the best children's literature (especially Newbery Award winners). Rather than just having the "High King" in their collection, my college had all five books. I was trying to familiarize myself with any Newbery award authors that I hadn't read in my youth. That is how I first read this series.

I'm not going into the same detail here that you will find in other reviews. However, I recall that my college roommate at the time was also a Tolkien and Lewis fan. I told her that she had to read Alexander, but she didn't want to waste the time on a YA fantasy. We were roommates for more than one semester. At least a year after my recommendation of Alexander, I came into our dorm room and she was bouncing on the bed saying, "I did it! I did it!" She finally had read this series and loved it as much as I did.

However, my fondest memory of Lloyd Alexander is how wonderful a person he was. I don't very often indulge in writing fan letters to authors, but I had always wanted to write to him. As a librarian, I was familiar with a children's authors source book called "Something About the Author." The book had mini-biographies and works listings of living children's authors, and gave contact information for the authors. Most authors' contact information was via their agent or publisher. Alexander was the only author I ever heard of who listed his home address.

I wrote him a letter to his Drexel Hill, PA, residence and received a personal letter in return. He also confirmed my suspicion that Fflewddur Fflam, in both appearance and as an amateur musician, is based on himself (Alexander was an amateur classical violinist). He had also sent me a brochure with a picture of himself that was autographed to me from him and from Fflewddur.

I had written Alexander about 10 years before he passed away, and I am so glad that I didn't keep putting it off. I wish I had had the chance to meet him when he used to come into the Manhattan children's bookstore "Books of Wonder." My hardback set of the Chronicles are autographed copies from that store, but I had purchased them already signed by Alexander.

The one thing that I can recommend is that parents and children should read this series together. It may be written for young adults, but as I learned for myself, it can be enjoyed at any age. I've lost count of how many times I've re-read this timeless classic.