Coll and His White Pig

The Chronicles of Prydain

by Lloyd Alexander, Evaline Ness (Illustrator)

A good-natured gardener of the Land of Prydain, aided by friends of the forest, rescues his white pig from his country's greatest enemy.

Genres: Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Speculative Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Karen Witzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Evaline Ness illustrations are what attracted me - but I did, also love the Lloyd Alexander story. It is a part of his Prydain/Taran cycle that includes The Black Cauldron.

The story is written to be read aloud and makes a lovely introduction to both Alexander and to the style of Tolkien in The Hobbit or There and Back Again. For ages 4 -8? or for anyone.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of the magic of The Black Cauldron or The Castle of Llyr; Coll and Hen-Wen are quite flat, and the story is sappy rather than exciting and dramatic. I usually like the illustration of Evaline Ness too (although they are very old fashioned) but in this case they were equally uninteresting. Coll is based on a character from Welsh folklore who was known as one of the three powerful swineherds of the island of Britain; that fact is as interesting as the whole book. Very disappointing.

[Elizabeth Smitheram · Rating 2 out of 5]

The words were difficult to get through and I'm not sure that most children would find this book appealing due to the wordage. However, the storyline is actually interesting. The story is about a man who settles down and has a magical pig. But, one day the pig gets stolen by "the Lord of the Land and of the Death" so he must go save his pig before it is hurt. This book has good morales, but is a difficult read for children.

[Lorajean · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a picture book that tells a short story of hen wen and coal. I liked it.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction to Coll, Hen Wen, and Dallben, as well as a glimpse of Arawn, Death Lord, and his followers.
Essentially, it’s a fairy tale; Coll is pulled into the forest searching for his stolen pig. He happens to be granted the boon of being able to talk to the animals for a short time, and by doing a good turn to particular ones, they help him out in return. The end result is that Coll saves Hen Wen and makes it back to his farm, only to find Dallben has come for a visit, with a late warning of Hen Wen’s danger.

Coll has a history as a great warrior, but his heart is now full of his garden and simple life. His adventure doesn’t recall him to his bygone days of war and glory, but he is instead concerned about his turnips. Dallben’s words to him reinforce his priorities, “what truly counts in not a strong arm, but a kind heart; not a fist that smites, but a hand that helps.”

Possibly the book is made more charming for those who know and love Prydain, but it still works as a simple fairy tale, with interesting illustrations and a happy ending.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's small wonder, given that this short story originated as a picture book, but here Lloyd Alexander puts aside his high-fantasy style to embrace the simplicity and structure of a fairy tale. As Coll the warrior gardener and Dallben the prematurely-ancient enchanter originated in "The Book of Three" and the series of attached novels for significantly older readers, it's hard to imagine children being introduced to these characters through this medium: it's a spinoff that doesn't stand too well on its own.

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I started this I realized I already read this when reading The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain! I really enjoyed this one. Very much like an old school fairytale.
A man goes after his stolen pig and gets help from animals after having helped them. Enjoyed the addition of the illustrations too 😊

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the side story of how Coll got into Anuvin. It's not really what I pictured from the way it is talked about in the main Prydain books. I imagined warrior Coll slashing his way through the huntsmen to say Henwen.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this and picked it up for its colorful artwork. I love to be able to share Welsh fables with my grandchildren.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rescue of Hen-Wen from Arawn's clutches is mentioned in the Black Cauldron. Here, we have the whole story.

Coll, a warrior, turns his life to farming. His weapons are re-made to help him. One night, Hen-Wen is stolen by Huntsmen. He follows them as far as he is able. Then, in the dusky dawn, he eats several hazel nuts. He rescues an owlet, so one of his parents helps leaf Coll towards Annuvin after explaining that the hazel nuts were magic and Coll can now understand animals.

Cool helps rescue a stag, who speeds him on his way. He also helps rescue a mole, who turns out to be the King of the Moles. Each animal has their own place in helping rescue Hen-Wen.

When Coll returns to his home, he finds Dallben, the enchanter, along with the Book of Three. Dallben has taken care of Coll's garden & Coll is happy to have Dallben stay with him and Hen-Wen.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A warrior turned farmer is forced to leave his peaceful life of farming and rescue his white pig Hew Wen from the Lord of the Land of Death, who has taken her for his evil plan to rule the kingdom of Prydain. With the help of Ash-Wing the owl, Oak-Horn the stag, and Star-Nose the mole, Coll sets out to rescue her, and return to his farm to live in peace.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Chronicles of Prydain as a kid, and happened upon this ancillary tale some time later. It is the back-story of the pig that Taran tends in "The Book of Three."

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prophet pig, and a boy about to grow into a ledgend.

[roopa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chronicles of Prydain, inspired by the Mabinogion