Title:

The High King

Author:

Lloyd Alexander

Category:

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

April 10, 2023
have now completed my reread of the five volumes of The Chronicles of Prydain. I saw these books sitting on my bookshelf, and realized that they had sat untouched for at least 40 years, though I certainly remembered enjoying them when I was a youngster. I decided to read all of the books again and see if their appeal was a great to me now as back then. Having completed The High King, I can positively state that these books will appeal to readers of all ages. Hopefully there are new generations of children out there reading this series and being drawn into the adventure and rich fantasy world.

In The High King, Alexander returns to the stage every character that he introduced in the four preceding volumes. But their inclusion does not feel forced, the appearance of each character fits seamlessly into the narrative of the unfolding tale. Alexander must have had all five of these books carefully plotted out before he wrote The Book of Three. Of course Taran and Eilonwy are the stars, but Gurgi and Dallben and Fflewddur and Prince Gwydion also have major roles. We again meet Glew-the-former-giant, Gwystyl of the Fair Folk, Kaw the Crow, and even the trio of terrifying sorceresses Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch make an appearance. (The three magical hags seemed a lot scarier when I was younger, they are much more delightful from the perspective of the oldster that is my present self.)

The book begins on a dire note - using trickery, the Death-Lord Arawn has stolen the magic black sword Dyrnwyn from Prince Gwydion. Because he is evil, Arawn cannot wield the magic blade himself, but by stealing it, Arawn has deprived Prince Gwydion of his most potent weapon to fight him. The Death-Lord can now advance his evil plan to subjugate all of Prydain beneath his iron fist.

The ancient magician Dallben is disturbed by this grave news. He decides to consult Hen-Wen, the ocular white pig. Hen-Wen is terrified by what she foresees, she uses her snout to point to the glyphs on the ocular rods only with great reluctance to give three predictions. But the rods twist and split asunder midway through the third prediction, as if they cannot bear the predictions of Hen-Wen. Her first response is baffling:

Ask, sooner, mute stone and voiceless rock to speak.

The second prediction is just as cryptic:

Quenched will be Dyrnwyn's flame

Vanished, its power

Night turned to noon

And rivers burn with frozen fire

Ere Dyrnwyn be regained.

Not even wise Dallben can interpret these prophecies. The assembled warriors decide that their best chance is to wrest the magic sword Dyrnwyn from Arawn before he can carry it back to his fortress Annuvin. Prince Gwydion and a team of elite soldiers will first travel to King Smoit's stronghold, and then set forth in pursuit of the Death-Lord. But tragedy and treachery await them, the forces of evil are more powerful than the companions realize. Some favored characters perish before the end of the story, unlike a lot of modern children's stories, Alexander is willing to let some of his characters die.

Despite all the desperate adventure and hazards in the final confrontation with the forces of Arawn, what I remembered most about The High King from my initial reading decades ago was the final scene (which I thought was reminiscent of the sailing to the Grey Havens at the end of Lord of the Rings) - Taran has to make a decision about his future

I am glad that I reread this series. This five-volume tale of Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, who begins the series as a brash young man, shows his journey to maturity. Taran learns a lot about pride, and what is truly valuable in this world. Because some good people die, and there is some violence, the books may not be appropriate for really young readers, but I feel anyone older than fifth grade level would get a lot out of The Chronicles of Pyrdain, and would perhaps treasure their own copies on a shelf for the next forty years.