“Trust your luck, Taran Wanderer, but don’t forget to put out your net.” “If I fret over tomorrow, I’ll have little joy today.” “Was a royal robe enough to hide a dishonorable deed?” “Once the apple is ripe, no man can turn it back to a greening.” Here are a few more quotes that I really like: I think now that these things are shallow….As for my parentage, it makes little difference…manhood is not given but earned.” Before his quest ends (I won’t tell you if he’s nobly born or not), he realizes the folly of looking to blood to prove one’s worth: “When I was a child I dreamed of adventure, glory of honor in feats of arms. In every respect, he acts admirably and proves himself noble. He shows excellent leadership abilities, he judges disputes with the wisdom of King Solomon, he repays friendship with aid, he inspires courage and displays loyalty. He’s offered a stone of power by the wizard Morda and refuses it. In his travels, Taran is offered King Smoit’s kingdom and refuses it. Once again I have page after page of notes, beautiful quotations, and nuggets of wisdom that give such deep insights into life. The book grows as rich as ever, with the most important battle being waged inside Taran. But, alas, I know it is not here.” But the old crew soon joins him-Gurgi, Doli and Ffluddur Flam-and the adventures start rolling in. Taran simply began wandering with no clear direction and no clues to help him. There was no evil to defeat, no plot to foil.

Taran Wanderer at first seemed a little pointless. Were his parents peasants, or could he be of noble blood, making him worthy of the princess? This is what he seeks to learn, and he covers all of Prydain in his quest. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, yet he is still an Assistant Pig-Keeper, an orphan with no known history. Taran has already had many adventures, fought many foes, won several battles, and fallen in love with Princess Eilonwy. That is the question Taran seeks to answer in book four of the Chronicles of Prydain.

The chronicles of prydain review