Lloyd Alexander

About one year ago, Lloyd Alexander passed away. So this memorial is rather late. But I didn't have this blog at the time. I've been meaning to make this post for some time, but have for various reasons never gotten around to it. Even now, I am unsure how well I will be able to convey the thoughts I have.

I never really knew Lloyd Alexander. Twice I attended speeches he gave. Once I was able to speak with him briefly at a book signing. I did have a few friends at one point who did know him, and we sometimes spoke of him. But in many ways, I know very little about his life or who he was. Yet I can without a doubt say that aside from relatives or prophets, he has had a greater impact on my life than any other person.

I no longer remember exactly how old I was when I first encountered The Chronicles of Prydain. I don't even remember if I read the first one, or if it was read to me. I do know that by the time I reached The High King for the first time, I read it in two days. Since that time, I have read those books more times than I can count. My first paper back copies all lost their covers, and most were in two pieces. I bought a hardcover, combined version, which now shows extensive wear.

As the years went by, I read others of his books--Time Cat, The Wizard in the Tree, The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha. I was in junior high when the Westmark series came out. I read The Beggar Queen in a day--a few hours, really. I might not have stopped once if my mother hadn't required that I eat dinner. At the time, I knew these were all among my favorite books (although that's a far from exclusive list). Now, looking back, I realize that far more than any other books, Lloyd Alexander's characters were who I aspired to be.

I have spent a fair amount of time pondering the nature of what it means to be a hero. In my own attempts at writing, I often return to this theme. I am certain this preoccupation arises from Taran's struggles to be a hero in The Chronicles of Prydain. More importantly, my thoughts are shaped by his realization over the course of the books that being a hero is not about glory or great deeds. Not to mention the core aspect of the novels: It is not until he abandons his desire to be a hero that Taran becomes a hero. And he becomes a hero because he gives up on his childhood dreams of what that means.

In The Book of Three, he abandons his original goal when one appears that is more important. And for all that, in the end is role is a minor one in the overall scheme of the battle. In The Black Cauldron, he gives up the possible glory in order to ensure the task is completed. And again, in the end his role is not the major contributor. By The Castle of Llyr, he has matured enough to abandon most of his desires for heroics, and now he begins to emerge as a hero, and this continues throughout the remainder of the series.

My appreciation for Lloyd Alexander has deepened over the years. It was when I began re-reading his work once I was in college that I began to find the pearls of wisdomstrewn about the pages. You'll notice several quotes from his books in the Bus Booklet of Truth. I am certain that over time I will add more. To me, these quotes are indeed full of truth. Better yet, they are mixed with a gentle, if often wry, humor. Though I didn't consciously notice all of these passages at first, I am sure that they became part of my internal value system.

His books are not dark--far from it. As I mentioned, they are filled with humor and good nature. And yet, they never shy away from or seek to hide the darkness that can arise from our lives. People die--sometimes characters that we have come to care for a great deal. Often victories are not won without cost. Characters will suffer, and they will sacrifice. Choices have consequences, both good and bad. But in the end, is is clear that they have grown through their struggles. Even more, it is clear that they would not have been able to achieve the things they did without that pain and struggle, and there is always hope.

Another feature of his writing I have come to value since I became a father to a girl. Lloyd Alexander's female characters are phenomenal. Strong-willed, determined, never subservient, they are often more clever than the boys. And yet they never lose their femininity, or seek to dominate. Instead, the male and female characters work together, they help each other. They complement each other. Contrast this with the two most common ideals held up for girls in our society today: either a focus on physical appearance with a corresponding devaluation of intelligence, or the feminist agenda.

Also in my college years I began checking for a new Lloyd Alexander book any time I was in a book store. Each time I found a new one, as I read it I found a curious mixed emotion. I was eager to read it, and enjoy it, and find out how it all worked out in the end. And yet, at the same time, I was reluctant to finish, for then I wouldn't have it to look forward again.

Then, last year, I learned of his passing--but there was one more book left to be published. The time came when The Golden Dream of Carlo Cuchio was published, and I checked it out from the library. Now those feelings were even more pronounced. Lloyd Alexander had lost none of his talent, none of his wisdom, or humor, or his humanity. The story was exciting and filled with surprises. And yet, I could never get away from the realization that this was the last time I would be able to read a new Lloyd Alexander book. Never again would I have that to look forward to.

Fortunately he left us with a large list of works, and they can be read and reread. Which I do. Now each trip to the library tends to find me at the shelves where his books are found, debating if I want to read one again. Often the answer is yes. And though I am sad he can no longer share his wisdom with the rest of us, I am glad that he shared as much as he could, and that it will always be there to read again.

I would not be who I am today without his books. So I can say with assurance that at least one person has a better life because Lloyd Alexander wrote the stories he wrote. I know of no greater praise I could give to any author.