The Book of Three facts for kids
First edition dustjacket with Ness artwork
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| Author | Lloyd Alexander |
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| Cover artist | Evaline Ness |
| Country | United States |
| Series | The Chronicles of Prydain |
| Genre | Children's literature, fantasy |
| Publisher | Holt, Rinehart and Winston |
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Publication date
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March 12, 1964 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 217 (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-8050-0874-8 |
| OCLC | 17720934 |
| LC Class | PZ8.A37 Bo |
| Followed by | The Black Cauldron |
The Book of Three (published in 1964) is an exciting fantasy novel by American author Lloyd Alexander. It's the very first book in a five-part series called The Chronicles of Prydain. The story follows a young boy named Taran, who starts as an Assistant Pig-Keeper. He lives with the wise enchanter Dallben and a retired soldier named Coll. As Taran grows up, he helps fight against the evil forces of Arawn Death-Lord.
This book also inspired many parts of the 1985 Disney animated movie, The Black Cauldron.
Contents
How the Story Began
The ideas for The Chronicles of Prydain came from Welsh mythology. Lloyd Alexander was also inspired by the castles, beautiful scenery, and language of Wales. He experienced these things when he was there during World War II. The first book was originally going to be called The Battle of the Trees.
The Adventure Begins
The story starts with Taran living at Caer Dallben. He lives with his guardians, the old enchanter Dallben and the farmer Coll. Taran isn't happy with his simple life. He dreams of becoming a great hero, like the brave High Prince Gwydion.
Because of a dangerous warlord called the Horned King, Taran is not allowed to leave the farm. The Horned King works for the evil Arawn Death-Lord of Annuvin. Taran's important job is to care for Hen Wen, a special white pig who can see the future.
One day, Hen Wen gets scared and runs away. Taran follows her into the Forbidden Forest. After a long chase, he is attacked by horsemen led by the Horned King himself. Taran escapes but falls, wounded.
Meeting New Friends
Taran wakes up to find his wound treated by Gwydion, the crown prince of Prydain. Gwydion was on his way to Caer Dallben to ask Hen Wen for advice. Determined to find the pig, Gwydion takes Taran with him. They are guided by Gurgi, a furry creature who lives in the forest.
They find the Horned King's camp and learn that his target is Caer Dathyl, the home castle of Gwydion's family. Gwydion decides to warn the royal court. But then, Arawn's undead soldiers, called the Cauldron-Born, attack them. Gwydion and Taran are captured and taken to Queen Achren in Spiral Castle.
Queen Achren, a sorceress, asks Gwydion to help her overthrow Arawn. Arawn used to be her student and took her throne. She wants Gwydion to rule Prydain with her. When Gwydion refuses, he is put in prison.
Escape from Spiral Castle
Princess Eilonwy, a young girl sent to learn magic from Achren, visits Taran's prison cell. She agrees to free Gwydion first, and then Taran. As they travel through secret tunnels to meet Gwydion and his horse Melyngar outside the castle, Taran and Eilonwy take weapons from an old tomb.
When they come out into the woods, Spiral Castle suddenly falls apart! They later learn this happened because Eilonwy took a special sword called Dyrnwyn. Eilonwy had misunderstood Taran's request. The man waiting outside is not Gwydion, but another prisoner: Fflewddur Fflam. He is a king by birth but chooses to be a wandering bard (a singer of stories).
The three of them search the ruins and believe Gwydion is dead. They decide to continue his mission to warn Caer Dathyl.
Journey to Caer Dathyl
Gurgi rejoins the group. The Cauldron-Born soldiers chase them, forcing them far off their path. They end up in the underground home of the Fair Folk, who have rescued Hen Wen. The Fair Folk's King Eiddileg agrees to let Taran have Hen Wen back. He also gives them new supplies and a guide, a dwarf named Doli.
On their way to Caer Dathyl, Taran rescues a baby gwythaint, a large bird of prey that Arawn has enslaved. This is against the advice of Fflewddur and Doli. The gwythaint quickly gets better and flies away during the night. Hen Wen also runs off just before the Horned King's army spots them.
Fflewddur, Doli, and Gurgi stay to fight. Taran and Eilonwy ride ahead on Melyngar, with the Horned King chasing them. On top of a hill, the Horned King attacks. He breaks Taran's sword with his first blow. Taran grabs Dyrnwyn from Eilonwy, but he can't pull it from its sheath because he isn't of "noble birth." A white flame burns his arm, and he falls to the ground. Just before he faints, Taran sees another man in the trees and hears a strange word. The Horned King's mask melts, and he bursts into flames.
The Return Home
When Taran wakes up, he learns that the man who defeated the Horned King was Gwydion! Gwydion had been at another of Achren's strongholds when Spiral Castle fell. After being tortured by Achren, he learned to understand all creatures. He communicated with the gwythaint and then with Hen Wen. From Hen Wen, he learned the Horned King's secret name, which destroyed him.
Eilonwy gives Dyrnwyn to Gwydion, recognizing his true nobility. Taran and his friends are promised treasures from Caer Dathyl for helping the House of Don. Eilonwy receives a ring from the Fair Folk. Gurgi gets a magical wallet that always has food. Fflewddur receives a golden harp string that will never break. Doli gets the ability to turn invisible, which he usually doesn't have.
Taran, however, has realized that Caer Dallben is where he truly wants to be. He asks only to return home. Gwydion goes back with him to Caer Dallben, and Eilonwy and Gurgi also decide to live there.
Movie Adaptations
The Book of Three and the next book, The Black Cauldron, were loosely made into a movie by Walt Disney Productions. The movie, also called The Black Cauldron, was released in 1985. It was Disney's 25th animated feature film.
The movie did not make as much money as it cost to make, so it wasn't a big success. Lloyd Alexander, the author, said about the movie: "First, I have to say, there is no resemblance between the movie and the book. Having said that, the movie in itself, purely as a movie, I found to be very enjoyable."
See also
In Spanish: El libro de los tres para niños
