The Arkadians

by Lloyd Alexander

Book Overview

To escape the wrath of the king and his wicked soothsayers, an honest young man joins a poet-turned-jackass and a young girl with mystical powers on a series of epic adventures This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140380736
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.8" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

The art of storytelling at its most professional

This single book is better than the entire Prydain Chronicles. Whereas the storytelling in the latter series was occasionally clunky and the settings vague, Alexander's hallmark is the nerve-wracking suspense he creates so that the reader just has to finish the book once he starts it.Alexander is not an author; he is a master storyteller. This book is a collage of various characters telling their own humorous stories threaded together by a common plot of a runaway boy and his talking donkey. The wealth of beautifully crafted characters and the occasionally funny, occasionally sombre plot never fails to sustain the amusement of the reader as Alexander shows off his own skill in the stories of his characters.This is a highly endearing and delightfully light book that is perfect for bedtime reading - although you probably won't get to sleep until you have turned the last page of the book.

Great book to read, it's awesome!!!!!

Great view of Greek myths. Wonderful story and great characters! I liked the so much I read three times!! Lloyd Alexander did a great job in describing the characters they seemed almost real to me. This book gave me chills in the spine, made me smile, made me laugh, and made me frown. I like this book so much I would really tell someone to read if they wanted to read a good book! Guess what! I just found this book in the library and took it home and read it, and liked it!!!!

Very Fun Story

I fell in love with Lloyd Alexander's books with The Prydain Chronicles, so when I found out that there were more books of his that I didn't own, I had to get this one. I was not disappointed in the least. The story is a rich blend of Greek Mythology and classic fantasy, and it easily pulled me into the world of Arkadia. The Arkadians is a very fun and easy read. I /highly/ recommend it to all Lloyd Alexander fans and anyone that loves good fantasy.

Fun Side of the Myths!

Arkadians was a light hearted look upon usually serious Greek myths. Lloyd Alexander twisted mythical plots, making unusual, but lovable heroes of dense headed Lucian, poet/donkey Fronto, and extreme feminist Joy-in-the-dance. Alexander creates a vivid atmosphere with humorous tales in this quick epic. I also relished the novel's theory on how Greek folklore began. As a fan of Greek mythology, I'd encourage all to read the happier side of the usual legends!

The best Alexander novel not set in Prydain or Westmark

Lloyd Alexander is best know for his Prydain and Westmark series, and justly so. Those two series are complex, engaging, and beautifully written. In comparison, some of his other books have always felt a bit simple to me. I think "The Arkadians" is Alexander's best stand-alone novel. Lucian is a bit like Theo and Taran; Joy-in-the-Dance is rather like Eilonwy and Mickle. It makes the book seem familiar to his long-time readers. There's also a lot "The Arkadians" which is new and lovely -- a kind of magical and enchanted atmosphere that most Alexander fans will love. If you enjoyed your trips to Prydain and Westmark, I think you'll enjoy Arkadia too.