Taran Wanderer

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There are many risks that come with writing a series and then having a book that is simply about the central protagonist wandering the wilds trying to ‘find themselves’; the biggest being that it can prove how strong and likeable the protagonist is. In one of my all-time favourite series, Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast, the final book focuses on Titus Grown wandering away from his ancestral home and the misadventures he has on the road, and honestly it is one of the most boring books to read because it shows that Titus as a character is not strong or interesting enough to carry a novel.

So when I hunkered down this week to continue with The Chronicles of Prydain, I was dubious about the fourth instalment because it’s all about Taran wandering about on an identity quest. I am pleased to say that I grew to appreciate Taran much more, as Taran Wanderer successfully took a character that I didn’t particularly care about and upped him in my regard.

The fourth book in the series, Taran Wanderer follows Taran on his self-appointed quest to find out about his parentage and, by extension, his identity. Leaving Caer Dallben with Gurgi to seek answers from the witches in the Morva Marshes, Taran finds himself first in one adventure and then another as he travels across the land learning all he can about who is and who he can be.

While identity quests are always a bit conducive to eye rolling, having the tendency to get a little preachy, Taran Wanderer successfully cements Taran as a strong and stable protagonist and following his growth and development in this book is actually really lovely. As he goes from aspiring noble hero to embracing the meagre and humble, Taran’s story here is a true coming-of-age tale, as the boy travels and gathers various wisdoms that mould him into manhood.

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Alexander cleverly has a few of the more memorable characters make appearances within the book so it does not suffer to the extent that Titus Alone did (to my mind at least), while also introducing new characters that help in Taran’s journey of self-discovery. There is also a greater sense of threat and loss in this book, which we didn’t see so much in the others, that gives the story a stronger sense of realism and makes it much easier for readers to relate to the trials that Taran goes through.

It’s always nice to have your doubts and hesitations pleasantly proven wrong, and I am happy to say that Taran Wanderer absolutely did that for me. It’s both a poignant and entertaining read.

Author: Lloyd Alexander, 1967

Published: Holt, Reinhart & Winston. Pictured edition published in 2005 by Usborne Publishing Ltd. 

Taran Wanderer is the fourth book in Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series.