Lloyd Alexander, 1924-2007

[semillama]

http://books.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,2119993,00.html

I noted that there didn't seem to be a reaction amongst all the Pottermania to the passing of Lloyd Alexander, whose series The Chronicles of Prydain was one of my favorite series as a child. Some of you may recall that Disney made a mediocre version of the second book in the series, The Black Cauldron. I'd definietely suggest those who enjoy the Potter books to check out Alexander's adventure series.

[LWolf]

1. This is the first I've heard of it.

:(

It's been about 20 years since I read his "Chronicles," but I'll be glad to revisit them.

[Lisa]

2. oh, no!

I hadn't realized this had happened. Whenever I think of magical artifacts, the first one that springs to mind (even before Tolkien's Ring and JKR's Philosopher's Stone, or Bellairs's (un)lucky coin) is the magic brooch described by Alexander in the Prydain books. He explained the temptation (and the burden) of possessing such an object so well -- I found it far more credible, if one can apply that to a fictional object, than Sauron's One Ring.

Thanks for letting us know ...

[MorningGlow]

3. OMG I was just wondering if he was still alive

I reread all the previous Harry Potter books but still found myself with some time before Deathly Hallows was released, so I reread the whole Chronicles of Prydain series while I was waiting. RIP, Mr. Alexander--I so so SO loved your books when I was a preteen, and I enjoyed them again as an adult. :(

[shenmue]

4. He was an excellent writer

:cry:

I must've read The Black Cauldron a dozen times when I was in school. Rest in peace.

[Matilda]

5. I have to confess I've never heard of him,

but my library has a number of his books, including The Black Cauldron,
so I should check them out.

Should they be read in any particular order?

[haele]

8. Yup, - Book of Three, Black Cauldron, Castle of Llyr

Taran Wanderer, The High King. They do have to be read in order. They're a very good sideways telling of the Mabonegian for younger readers as well as a very Jungian "Coming of Age" sort of saga. Lucas stole a lot in both Willow and Star Wars.
I lived on these and the Margurite Henry/Walter Farley books when I was in late Elementry School/Jr. High.

Haele

[Broken_Hero]

6. Damn, I didn't know....

His books(Prydain) where the second set of fantasy books I ever read. I believe, I read them in the 7th grade....

I need to get those books, I think it was a series of 5...

[Lisa]

7. most tempting magical device -- I'd have to say, that enchanted brooch ...

... Alexander described, that gives you the ability to make spot-on leadership decisions, was something I found way more compelling than Tolkien's Ring. I loved the way he described Taran's struggle over wanting to keep it.