Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)

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May 182007
 

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)

I grew up on the Chronicles of Prydain. I still remember the death of Coll, the omelette made in the Free Cantons, and Morda’s finger.

  6 Responses to “Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)”

  1. Drasten says:
    May 18, 2007 at 6:36 pm

    The Chronicles of Prydain was one of the first fantasy series I read on my own as a kid. I still have them – the paper bindings are worn and yellow, but still in good shape despite many readings. They are on the short list of books I’m going to read to our children when my wife and I have them.

    When I first logged on to UO and was thinking hard about my name, a derivative of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dallben came to mind.

    I caught the news of his death online earlier today. I didn’t know very much about Lloyd Alexander, and was amazed to find out he lived near me. He died two weeks after his wife of 61 years passed on.

  2. joshlee says:
    May 18, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    Oh! Sad. The Prydain books were my absolute favorites when I was growing up. I’ve held onto my old, disintegrating copy of The High King as well. The bit with Fflewddur Fflam’s harp reduced me to a puddle every time I read it.

  3. External News says:
    May 19, 2007 at 1:40 am

    […] Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) […]

  4. Aufero says:
    May 19, 2007 at 7:19 pm

    The Prydain books were my introduction to fantasy as a child, and I still have a copy. I haven’t read much he’s written since then, time for a memorial trip to the library.

  5. Ammon Lauritzen says:
    May 21, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    Lloyd Alexander was probably my favorite author growing up. I must have read Taran Wanderer at least 8 times my 4th grade year.

    I remember reading the Prydain books with my father during (what I now realize was) his scant free time during grad school. It was the first time both of us could actually read and enjoy the same books. To this day, one of us finding an old copy of The Foundling in a used book store would prompt phone calls and possibly even a 2 hour drive to visit 😉

  6. Bart Stewart says:
    May 24, 2007 at 2:27 pm

    Ack. I hadn’t heard this.

    I’m another who counts the Prydain books as among my favorites. Taran’s journey from impulsive egotist to responsible adult is one of the finest coming-of-age stories I’ve ever read. (Ursula LeGuin’s Very Far Away From Anywhere Else would be another.)

    Those books have been good friends of mine for most of my life. I’m sad to hear that their author is no longer with us to share more such tales with more kids looking for decent, gentle friends.

    –Bart

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