What is the title of the first novel in Lloyd Alexander’s fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain?
Answer
The Book of Three
The first novel in Lloyd Alexander’s fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain is The Book of Three.
The Book of Three was published in 1964 and introduces Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who dreams of becoming a hero. He is drawn into a dangerous quest after Hen Wen, a prophetic white pig, escapes and becomes threatened by the forces of the Horned King.
The novel establishes the mythical land of Prydain and introduces major characters including Princess Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam, Doli, and Gurgi. Its tone combines Welsh-inspired mythology with a coming-of-age adventure.
The Black Cauldron is the second novel, not the first. The animated Disney film The Black Cauldron drew from multiple Prydain books, which can lead to confusion about the order. The complete series contains five main novels, followed by a supplementary volume.