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the Free
Commots, a set of prosperous communities without lords. Taran apprentices first with Hevydd the Smith, then with Dwyvach the Weaver, and finally with Annlaw Clay-Shaper. With each master Taran crafts an object--a sword, a cloak, and a bowl. All offer to let Taran stay with them--the first two as an apprentice, the last as a friend. He politely declines all three offers. Soon after, the Free Commots are attacked by Dorath and his associates. Taran leads the defense, routing the bandits. In gratitude, Annlaw tells him the location and nature of the Mirror of Llunet: a pool of water a short journey away from the Free Commots.
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Gurgi return to Annlaw's home. When Annlaw asks what Taran has learned, Taran replies that he now understands himself from viewing his reflection. Taran then reviews the lessons that he has learned on the journey--his parentage matters less than the life he has made and his life is what he makes of it. The next morning, Taran and Gurgi begin the journey back to Caer
Dallben.
263:, but his publisher convinced him to do so in order to more satisfyingly depict Taran's arc. The book has attracted attention as a coming of age story that is conversant with Campbell's model of the monomyth. It has also gained a reputation as an example of American mythopoetic literature, both as a single book and as a part of the larger
369:
marrying
Princess Eilonwy. During the winter, Craddoc is fatally wounded. Taran and Gurgi attempt to help him, but cannot. As he dies, Craddoc admits that he has deceived Taran, as he is childless and desired a son. Taran manages to summon the Fair Folk to save Gurgi and himself, but they are unable to aid Craddoc, who is dead.
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Taran and Gurgi bury
Craddoc, and then resume the journey to the Mirror of Llunet. They arrive at the unique homestead of Llonio, who lives by luck--to Llonio, any circumstance is one of good fortune. Llonio dubs Taran "Wanderer," and bids him luck on his quest. Eventually, Taran and Gurgi arrive at
364:
Taran's group is next fed and sheltered by Dorath, a bandit and mercenary. Dorath's hospitality is motivated by greed, as he assumes that Taran is seeking treasure. When his offer to join forces with Taran is rebuffed, Dorath pressures him into a fight over Taran's sword. The bandit cheats and wins,
451:
has also attracted attention as a psychologically complex text about maturation and individuation. Liam
Butchart, a psychiatrist and literary critic, argued in 2019 that Alexander fused Jungian archetypes and Campbell's monomyth into a universal coming-of-age tale. Further, he argues that the novel
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When Taran and Gurgi arrive at the Mirror, Taran looks briefly into the water and then yells in shock. Immediately, they encounter Dorath, who is seeking vengeance. Dorath defiles the pool and then attacks Taran. Dorath's sword, earlier stolen from Taran, breaks. The mercenary then flees. Taran and
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Next encountered on the road is
Craddoc, a widower and shepherd. He claims Taran as his son; Fflewdur, thinking the quest fulfilled, then leaves the group. Taran and Gurgi stay with Craddoc. Taran both hates and admires the shepherd, as Craddoc is a good man who has also shattered his ambition of
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To prepare for this new goal, Taran and Gurgi seek aid in
Cantrev Cadiffor, the realm of King Smoit. They become embroiled in a feud between Lords Gast and Goryon, vassals of Smoit who bicker constantly, largely about the possession of the magical cow Cornillo. The war between Gast and Goryon
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even in their places of refuge. Not long after, Morda captures Taran and his friends, unaware that Taran has recovered the finger-bone that stores Morda's magic. After a struggle, Morda inadvertently breaks the bone. This kills the wizard and restores the company to their natural shape.
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American mythopoetic fantasy. For example, Marek
Oziewicz argues that a reverence for tradition and American values of hard work intertwine with ancient and medieval Welsh myth and folktale. Oziewicz particularly highlights the glorification of everyday folk and craftsmanship in
27:
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destroys the fields of farmers Aeddan and Alarca, who are left destitute. Taran mediates the dispute between Gast and Goryon, and awards
Cornillo to Aeddan and Alarca. Smoit offers to adopt Taran, but Taran declines and feels that he must journey further to
403:, said that "Lloyd Alexander's triumph is that while his plots follow a slashing heroic pattern, his quest is into the subtleties of manhood itself. It is rare that high excitement yields such quiet wisdom." Receiving it somewhat less enthusiastically,
452:"seems to be at the center of a nexus of different approaches and goals" and serves an example of the broad potential in young adult fantasy literature as a catalyst for identity formation. Butchart revisited the theme later in
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depart for the
Marshes of Morva to ask Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch for insight on Taran's parentage. As Taran has not brought payment for this information, the three redirect him to the Mirror of Llunet, far to the east.
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The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: a bibliographic survey of the fields of science fiction, fantasy and weird fiction through 1968. Volume 1: Who's Who, A-L
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On the journey, the group encounters Doli, a friend and ally from previous adventures. He has been turned into a frog by the sorcerer Morda, who has been harassing the
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and mythology more generally. More specifically, Alexander cited his experience during World War Two as an American intelligence officer in Wales as an inspiration. In
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Butchart, Liam (2019). ""What Man Am I?" The Hero's Journe s Journey, the Beginning of , the Beginning of Individuation, and Taran Wanderer".
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informed much of the book, particularly its setting. Initially, Alexander had not intended to write this volume, going straight from
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One Earth, One People: The Mythopoeic Fantasy Series of Ursula K. LeGuin, Lloyd Alexander, Madeline L' Engle, and Orson Scott Card
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said of the book, "If you've done well with the others, you'll want this. If not, try Tolkien." More academically,
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Kuznets, Lois R (1985). ""High Fantasy" in America: A Study of Lloyd Alexander, Ursula LeGuin, and Susan Cooper".
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Generally, the novel has received good reviews, particularly when it was published. Upon release,
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Butchart, Liam (2021). "'Suddenly the bone snapped in two': Freud, fantasy, and Taran Wanderer".
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an excellent example of literature for maturing young adults.
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was hailed as "a wise and noble book" by Phyllis Cohen of the
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Vigeurs, Ruth Hill (June 1967). "Review of Taran Wanderer".
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Fritz, Jean (9 April 1967). "Review of Taran Wanderer".
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Cohen, Phyllis (June 1967). "Review of Taran Wanderer".
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754:(1974).
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476:^
464:.
393:.
353:.
236:,
989:e
982:t
975:v
799:e
792:t
785:v
770:.
746:.
729:.
665:3
648:.
593:9
118:)
94:)
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