The Book of Three
posted 6th Feb 2015, 11:26 PM

29th Jan 2018, 5:45 PM
Saeriellyn
Welcome to The Book of Three! This is my graphic novel adaptation of the first book in The Chronicles of Prydain, a series of children's books first published in 1964, and written by the "Father of American Fantasy" and one of the 20th century's most beloved children's authors, Lloyd Alexander.
This series of five books includes a Newberry Award-winner, and follows the journey of a naive would-be hero into his hard-won maturity and leadership by the end of the series. While writing for children, Alexander injected enough wisdom, depth, and pathos to attract thoughtful adults, who remain the most ardent fans of his work.
I created this comic out of sheer love - it is unauthorized by the publisher, and the books are still under copyright. I derive no profit from this other than the joy and satisfaction of making this world come to life in a visual format, and connecting with other fans of the series. If you enjoy this comic, and want to read more, (because it's slow going and I'll never get around to all five books!) please purchase The Chronicles of Prydain and support these great classics, which are largely ignored now under the onslaught of modern pop fantasy, much of it of far inferior quality. If I, through this comic, inspire even one person to read them who otherwise would not, I consider this a success.
Final Note: if you remember the 1984 Disney animated feature, The Black Cauldron, you will find much you recognize. That film was based - and I use the term extremely loosely - on the first two books of this series. While it was groundbreaking in terms of animation, and has its fans, it is generally considered an abomination by book purists, as it fails on every conceivable level as a faithful adaptation. Disney announced in 2016 that they had re-optioned the film rights and were planning live action films - however, as of January 2018, there has been no further news on this topic. Let's hope they do better next time around...
user comments
7th Feb 2015, 12:30 AM
Bethany-sensei
Aaaaaah I've loved this book since I was eight! This looks great! Excuse me. Gotta squee some more.
7th Feb 2015, 1:57 PM
Saeriellyn
Aww, so glad you found me, and hope you continue to enjoy this. If you're interested, I have done a lot of other straight illustrative work on the series. It's on my gallery at dA: http://saeriellyn.deviantart.com/
7th Feb 2015, 1:42 AM
Smokewalker
I have not even read page one of this, but I subscribed anyway. "Munchings and crunchings!" Awesomeness :D
7th Feb 2015, 1:58 PM
Saeriellyn
Hooray more subscribers! :) Leapings and shriekings of joy!!
Hope you like my interpretation. Thanks for commenting!
7th Feb 2015, 8:25 AM
dpat57
This is mighty fine work which I only just discovered today, sorry for overlooking you!!
7th Feb 2015, 1:57 PM
Saeriellyn
Thanks! Not much of an overlook...I've only been here about 12 hours. lol Thanks for the comment!
23rd Feb 2015, 1:55 AM
Saeriellyn
Since you do not know her name, I take it you are a stranger to this book. Welcome! That doesn't happen much. My fan base mostly already knows this story, so it's nice to hear an opinion from somebody getting it fresh through my work. I hope you'll continue to let me know what you think!
2nd Mar 2015, 8:35 PM
MeekJustus (Guest)
I love your work! I reread the series at least once a year, and I'm so glad that you're faithful to it. (One thought though, I was hoping to see a shaggier Gurgi.)
3rd Mar 2015, 8:35 PM
Saeriellyn
He may well look different once I get to him in Chap 2. This cover was done as a separate project and there are some discrepancies, but overall it worked well enough to use.
Glad you like it! Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts! Hearing from fans really helps keep me motivated.
5th May 2015, 2:27 AM
BlueDragon
OMG!!!!!! I was totally thinking about doing something like this (in manga style) but seeing this is amazing! I am soooo looking forward to reading this! Fantastic art, and one of my FAVORITE stories (like, it's up there with The Hobbit and The Enchanted Forest Chronicles!!!)
Super cool (I'm really excited!)I hope you end up doing the whole series :D (no pressure, no pressure at all!)
5th May 2015, 4:28 PM
Saeriellyn
lol, yes, I already have friends expressing anticipation over the appearance of Adaon, or how I'm going to adapt Taran Wanderer. I can only think as far as the next chapter or I get totally overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of this project. If I get through Book One I will consider it a near-miraculous accomplishment!
Glad you like it and always happy to hear from another fan of the series.
5th May 2015, 6:06 AM
Patti (Guest)
Finally! I have time to myself to view your amazing work, Dawn. Now if I can only get some more stuff done...
20th Mar 2016, 3:46 AM
David (Guest)
This was my first fantasy series. A great pleasure in my life was making it my 2 sons' first fantasy series. We all love it.
Now I get the pleasure of introducing them to your wonderful adaptation. Thanks!
22nd Mar 2016, 8:18 PM
Greg Luce (Guest)
Hello Saeriellyn,
I was directed here by the below link. This has been/is one of my favorite series of books, right up there with LOTR and my all time favorite The Unlikely Ones. That book is really amazing.
I wanted to complement you on your artwork. Believe me, I know about passion projects, (Had a fourteen year adventure in LA trying to sell the screenplay to Unlikely Ones.) and this looks really cool.
Disney just bought the rights to the series, and as Producers really get drawn to Graphic Novels, (See what I did there?)
you might want to send Disney a link to your site. I've worked with illustrators, and you are as good if not better.
Best regards,
Greg
http://www.vox.com/2015/8/18/9166631/chronicles-prydain-alexander
22nd Mar 2016, 10:25 PM
Saeriellyn
Thank you so much Greg. I get a huge traffic surge every time that Vox article surfaces, but the vast majority of viewers never interact. I so appreciate your taking the time to give feedback.
I'm well aware of what's going on with Disney and am of several minds on it. Though nothing would make me happier than to be rewarded (by something other than personal satisfaction, which is substantial, let me add) for my work on this project, my first instinct about approaching them is to fear that they would exercise their clout to shut me down. I know back in the day with Narnia they threw their weight around at anyone using the name in domains, etc. It's unlikely that whatever they decide to do with a film will follow the books as faithfully as I am doing, and frankly, I'd rather stick with Alexander's vision than Hollywood's.
I am musing on the possibility of approaching the books' publishers via an agent, though. If something like this were to go to print I think it ought to fall under their jurisdiction. So we shall see!
29th Sep 2016, 11:41 PM
Rake156Gaming
27th Apr 2017, 5:58 PM
Saeriellyn
I don't know how I missed this comment back in September - my apologies! Hope you are enjoying this, and egads...High King? We'll see! It'll be a miracle if I finish this one!
17th Oct 2016, 1:54 PM
Saeriellyn
Thanks! Not fond of the Disney versions myself, which I'm sure comes as no surprise, haha.
27th Apr 2017, 2:37 AM
Grace (Guest)
Just started reading the Chronicles of Prydain to my mum, and being also a lover of graphic novels, I am thrilled to find your site! I shall savour every page, and congrats on your fantastic and imaginative representation of an awesome book!
27th Apr 2017, 5:57 PM
Saeriellyn
I'm so glad to hear it! These books are meant to be shared - hope you continue to enjoy the comic! :)
28th Aug 2017, 6:28 PM
IseoDahl (Guest)
8th Oct 2017, 11:46 PM
Saeriellyn
You will see a large range of quality! I didn't know ANYthing about comic-making when I began this project!
9th Oct 2017, 11:42 PM
AmeliaP
Wow, so you have a natural talent, because your storytelling (and art) is catchy :)
7th Nov 2017, 8:34 PM
woodybbw2000
25th Dec 2017, 1:16 AM
Maddoctor (Guest)
For doing this. Loved these books for 50 years. Seeing this strip is a dream come true!
29th Jan 2018, 2:51 PM
Saeriellyn
Nah - though as another...ahem..."senior" member of this site, it's weirder for you than most of its userbase. This series was published in the 60s - a brilliant set of books, sadly underrated in today's literature market. Holds its own with Narnia and IMO surpasses it in some ways. Alexander has been called the father of American fantasy...not many others were writing such work on this side of the ocean at the time.
Great books for the homeschooled kids. A level of character building you won't find in much of today's pop literature.
If you ever saw Disney's 1984 animated film The Black Cauldron, it was (VERY loosely and badly) based on these books.
27th Mar 2018, 2:58 AM
obwanderer
You've accomplished so much since I first stumbled upon your work in early 2015. That was back when I was working on my own Prydain labour of love. I'm amazed by how invested you are in all your Prydain wanderings, based on the evidence I've seen on facebook, and the brilliant art you create.
I do hope that whatever happens with any future Prydain ventures from Disney, they do justice to the material, as you have.
Cheers,
Brendan Wanderer
28th Mar 2018, 11:03 AM
Saeriellyn
Many thanks, Brendan! I noticed all the facebook notifications. :) Well met and welcome - clearly a kindred spirit. Hope you continue to enjoy.
5th Dec 2018, 3:43 AM
Pop tart (Guest)
I love how you made the characters into a graphic novel i had read the original books and they are amazing! And what you did was a brilliant idea to make it into a graphic novel! I was wondering,will you ever get this published? When you you have it completed and everything.
5th Dec 2018, 4:34 AM
Saeriellyn
I wish I could, but the books are still under copyright by the publisher, so unless they authorize it, I can’t legally do that. Technically, even putting it online is against the rules, but most publishers don’t go after fan material, and I hope they just consider it free publicity! Glad you found me!
12th Dec 2018, 9:11 PM
Stella (Guest)
Really cool idea. I feel like my childhood heroes are back! Thank you for bringing the stories into the public eye again.
12th Dec 2018, 11:26 PM
Saeriellyn
I dunno how public it is, but I’d do it anyway! Thanks for the encouragement and I’m so happy you found this.
1st Feb 2020, 11:29 AM
Vetch
I have just found this and blew through it all in one sitting. So glad to find others who have such a love for this wonderful series. Please keep up the good work!
1st Feb 2020, 1:23 PM
Saeriellyn
Oh I'm so happy you found it. Thanks so much for commenting! Stay tuned; we've still got five chapters to go!
3rd Apr 2020, 10:38 PM
SAM (Guest)
Wow. One of my favorite books of all time nxt to LOTR and Chronicles of Narnia. My first time encountering your work. Congratulations on the artwork keep up the good work.
Even though the 1984 Disney animated film made a poor adaptation to the books, I still appreciate the movie cause I got introduced to the books through the movie.
An accurate or close-to-the film adaptation to the books will be terrific to see. The story of Taran was so engaging has depth of wisdom. Lloyd Alexander was a master of his craft.
4th Apr 2020, 12:21 AM
Saeriellyn
Oooh, welcome and thank you for commenting! I’m so happy you have found the comic!
28th May 2020, 6:53 AM
Abandonego (Guest)
Wow, your artwork is exquisite. I love this story and you brought this to life. I have young kids who struggle with reading. However, your comic is making this book an exciting pleasure to read. Thank you so much. Thank you on behalf of my students.
29th May 2020, 1:36 PM
Saeriellyn
Oh, what a pleasure to hear that. I am so glad I can help introduce your kids to Prydain! Thank you for your comment!
2nd Jun 2020, 11:20 PM
Andor (Guest)
I loved the series as a boy. Though I think the Disney version is underrated and am a bit annoyed that Eilonwy was snubbed as a Disney Princess, it's still wonderful to see a more faithful rendering of the original. Excellent work!
3rd Jun 2020, 2:54 AM
Saeriellyn
We do not discuss the Disney version around here; I am STILL bitter about it, and about their subsequent shenanigans with the film rights. But thank you, welcome, and I am so glad you enjoy my adaptation! :)
31st Oct 2020, 1:34 AM
Frogskyn
I am amazed at your skill, and appreciate the love and care you have demonstrated in what I have seen so far. This is my favorite book series of all time, and the books that helped me fall in love with books 34 years ago. Keep up the fantastic work. I look forward to more!
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