Lloyd Alexander, author of two of my favorite book series, died a few days ago, May 17, in hospice care. He was 83 years old. To be quite honest, I didn't realize he was still alive, but hearing the news that he has now passed, brings back a swirl of memories of the first time I read his books.
I believe it was in the 5th grade that I was introduced to The Book of Three, and the fast-to-act, sometimes slow-to-think, Assistant Pig Keeper, Taran, an orphan, who lived with Dallben, the ancient wizard, at Caer Dallben. How can I describe the feeling of being captivated by the story and the characters. Even today, reading their names brings back a flood of images and feelings. Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, Fflewddur Fflam, and Gwydion. If you haven't read his books, the names will mean very little, but they bring up vivid images in my mind. Eilonwy, a red-haired girl, living with her "aunt" Achron, and her bauble... her mouth always speaking rapidly about everything; stubborn, headstrong, fiesty. Even the spelling of the names, with the Welsh influence, was fascinating to me.The librarian (or was it our 5th grade teacher) read the book aloud. Then the next - The Black Cauldron. Then she read the last book in the 5-book series, The High King. Meanwhile, my dad took me to Waldenbooks where we purchased all five books in a handsome cardbord slipcase. I would read along, read ahead, read constantly from all five books. While the teacher read from The Black Cauldron, I was already finished and reading The Castle of Llyr or Taran Wanderer.
It was an awakening. I read other fantasy book series, though not as many of some of my peers. It wasn't until much later that I realized the commonalities between Tolkien, Alexander, and Robert Jordan. The same "characters," the same patterns, the same emotions they brought forth.
Perhaps I'll take a little extra time this week to read some of Lloyd Alexander's other books, re-read the Westmark books, or uncover some biographical material. (For example, I always thought he was from Wales, but turns out he's from an area near Philadelphia.) And now, I'm off to see if my original set of Prydain books have survived... I know where they used to be, but they were in such poor, worn condition, did I save them? Or are then in a box somewhere. Regardless, I know the library will have them. Maybe I'll go visit with some old friends to honor the memory of their creator.
