The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

ISBN: 9780440411253
Publisher: Yearling (1969)
208 p.

Reading Level: Grades 8 and above.

 Summary:

This novel is the third of six in the series of the Pyrdain Chronicles. In this book, Dallben has sent Princess Eilonwy to the Isle of Mona to be trained to become a proper lady, befitting her station as a descendant of Llyr. She is accompanied by Taran and Gurgi. On the voyage, they meet Prince Rhun who botches up all that he encounters. As Taran wrestles with his feelings for Princess Eilonwy, they reach their destination, and Taran encounters Fflwdur and Prince Gwydion who is disguised as the palace shoe maker. After Princess Eilonwy is kidnapped, it will be up to Taran, Gurgi, and Prince Rhun to track her down and save her from Magg and the evil that awaits her. Their adventure puts them in the path of Llyan, a mountain cat that has been experimented on by someone named Glew and is now horribly large. Their many other encounters lead them to Princess Eilonwy who must be saved at all costs.

Critical Evaluation:
Many call this the lightest of the Pyrdain Chronicles. Although there is some lightness in the story, there are also threats of violence and promises of defeat as the band tries to rescue Princess Eilonwy before it is too late for both her and the land. Taran becomes more aware of his romantic feelings toward the princess, as Dallben wisely proclaims at the beginning of the story, “For each of us comes a time when we must be more than what we are” (p. 4). The reader can regard this passage as the overall theme of this novel. Each character must reach deep within himself or herself in order not only to do the right thing, but also to save each other, time and time again. As Taran remarks when learning that the magical bauble will light for any individual, depending on the reason,

“Can that be its secret? To think more for others than ourselves?” “That would seem to be one of its secret, at least,” replied Fflewddur. “Once you’ve discovered that, you’ve discovered a great secret indeed—with or without the bauble.” (p. 123)

The Prince learns this, as do Taran and even the Princess, who holds her friends’ lives in her hands. Able to be read as a stand-alone, the entire Chronicle is a ride every fan of fantasy should take.

Reader’s Annotation:

Join Taran, Gurgi, Fflwdur, and Prince Rhun on an adventure to rescue Princess Eilonwy from a vengeful queen. Will they get there in time, or will they be too late?

Author Biography:

Lloyd Alexander wrote over 40 books. He won a Newbery Medal in 1969 for The High King as well as the Newbery Honor Award and the National Book Award among many others. His book from the Prydain series, The Black Cauldron, was made into a Disney animated film in 1985.

Alexander joined the U. S. Army at 19 and was stationed in Wales and in the German Rhineland, where he was inspired in later years to set his stories. After the war, he attended the University of Paris where he met the woman who would be his wife. Eventually, they settled in Pennsylvania where he wrote his novels.

Genre: Fantasy.

Curriculum Ties:

This novel could be used in an English class for reluctant readers. The short chapters move the story forward and contain a different adventure for every couple of chapters.

Booktalking Ideas:

-How are the class distinctions different? Is a Prince better than a Pig Keeper?

-What does the character of Glew add to the story?

Read-Alikes:

-The Abhorsen Trilogy series by Garth Nix.

-The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

-The Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper.

-Chronicles of Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones.

-The Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin.

Challenge Issue:

I was not able to find any information that this novel has been challenged and, although there is a bit of witchcraft, I don’t believe this book would be brought up for censorship.

Reason to include in blog:

This was the book I was named after. I disliked my name intensely while I was growing up because no one could ever pronounce it, even after years of “Lynn,” “Lyrrrr,” “Lynrr,” and, my personal favorite, “Liar.” Eventually, however, I started to at least appreciate the uniqueness of my name. Now, when my name is misspoken, I usually offer a correction. Yet the mispronunciations don’t bother me anymore, so I thought the time had come for me to finally read this book.

References:
Alexander, L. (1966). The castle of Llyr. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 

NNDB. (2011). Lloyd Alexander. Retrieved at http://www.nndb.com/people/057/000044922/