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The Dark Is Rising

110 replies

BookWorm45 · 03/12/2022 19:51

For all those like me who loved the Dark Is Rising set of books by Susan Cooper.....

this article talks about a new radio adaptation, coming soon. Can't wait !

www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/03/midwinter-magic-robert-macfarlane-world-service-the-dark-is-rising-susan-cooper-bbc

Off to find my copy now and re-read it......

OP posts:
BigGreen · 03/12/2022 19:53

I've just finished reading it w my 8yo. We are both so excited about the play!

astronewt · 03/12/2022 19:54

Ahhhhh. The only book to read at midwinter. It's an annual ritual.

When the Dark comes rising...

tribpot · 03/12/2022 19:54

Yep, really looking forward to this. I hadn't realised it was being broadcast in the 'real time' sequence of the book itself.

Hopefully they will adapt some of the other books too. We read The Grey King at school. The whole series is just amazing.

DewinDwl · 03/12/2022 19:57

Ahhhhh. The only book to read at midwinter. It's an annual ritual

Me too! Thanks OP

Teleporno · 05/12/2022 20:24

Looking forward to this too. I have the book on my kindle but never read it!

CalmConfident · 06/12/2022 00:02

I had not seen this, wonderful news!

HellonHeels · 06/12/2022 00:04

So looking forward to this!

MissHavershamReturns · 06/12/2022 00:05

The perfect book to start in advent

pollyhemlock · 06/12/2022 08:35

Really excited about this. I have great faith in Robert Macfarlane and this adaptation should be wonderful. My favourite Christmas book of all time.

TottersBlankly · 06/12/2022 08:38

Another looking forward to the adaptation. Only question is whether to go with the World Service or wait for R4.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 06/12/2022 08:45

Ooh, thank you for this! I didn’t know.

<irrelevant but heartfelt story alert>

i bid on these books on ebay for my daughter not long ago. The seller messaged me after i’d won 2 and said he could see i’d bid on the others, so he was happy to just end the auction and send them to me as a bundle at the beginning price. I was so grateful and explained they’d been my favourite and i wanted to pass that on to dd. When the bundle came it had a wonderful magical lenticular picture with it that suited the books and a note from the seller saying they were his favourite too and he thought any child who liked them would like the picture too. Dd (and the 7 year old in me) LOVED it. Conclusion - people who like these books are the best.

SnackyOnassis · 06/12/2022 10:10

Ahh this is so wonderful! I loved these books and re-read Dark Is Rising every year. It started a thumping in my 8 year old heart that's never slowed down when it comes to the old magic. This time of year you can really feel it in the stillness. I love midwinter ❤

Dragonfly97 · 06/12/2022 10:11

I haven't read The Dark is Rising but it sounds similar to The Giant Under the Snow by John Gordon; I loved this as a kid and still have my battered paperback copy! It's set in winter and is very atmospheric; I recommend it if you want a creepy winter read.

RainyReadingDay · 06/12/2022 14:23

I love The Dark Is Rising. It's perfect reading for Christmas. I have it as an audiobook as well as book. Really looking forward to the new adaptation.

CMOTDibbler · 06/12/2022 14:29

Ooh, I love that they are going to broadcast it in real time as it were. The Dark is Rising (and the rest of the series) are some of my favourite books

peaceandove · 06/12/2022 14:44

Eerie is the perfect word to describe the atmosphere of The Dark Is Rising. Amongst all the cosy Christmas prep at his home, only Will can sense that there is something very, very wrong - everyone else is oblivious. It's the creepy juxtaposition of the mundane Vs. the horrific - the familiar, friendly farm girl is actually a witch. The softly falling snow slowly becomes destructive, trapping people in their homes. Merriman isn't always the noble, Lord of Light - he callously sacrifices Hawkin, even though Hawkin loved him and was loyal. Nothing is as it first seems.

CrossPurposes · 06/12/2022 17:08

Dragonfly97 · 06/12/2022 10:11

I haven't read The Dark is Rising but it sounds similar to The Giant Under the Snow by John Gordon; I loved this as a kid and still have my battered paperback copy! It's set in winter and is very atmospheric; I recommend it if you want a creepy winter read.

So many things from that book have stuck in my mind particularly the leather men and flying. This is my cover.

The Dark Is Rising
DrMadelineMaxwell · 06/12/2022 17:10

Such a timely reminder! I love this book (and the whole series) and particularly like to read it at Christmas.

Dragonfly97 · 06/12/2022 17:39

CrossPurposes · 06/12/2022 17:08

So many things from that book have stuck in my mind particularly the leather men and flying. This is my cover.

Show quote history

Yes! This is my copy! Love this illustration; it really fits the story. I think it was published in the 60s but it seems timeless. I never get tired of it.

bookworm14 · 06/12/2022 21:45

Very excited about this as a huge fan of both Susan Cooper and Robert McFarlane! I reread TDIR every Christmas, starting on 21st December, so the radio version will be a great companion piece to this year’s reading.

Thighdentitycrisis · 06/12/2022 21:54

I loved these and read them as a child in the 1970,s . Although my DS was a huge bookworm, I never introduced them to him strangely. I’ll have to wait for grandchildren now!
the cover shown in the Guardian article linked was the copy I had and brought back memories.

RambamThankyouMam · 07/12/2022 15:12

My parents have a framed photo of me aged about 9, engrossed in "The Dark is Rising." Those books were a huge part of my awakening as a young reader.

TottersBlankly · 12/12/2022 06:08

Simon McBurney, the producer and co-adapter of the show, will be talking about it on Start The Week, Radio 4, this morning. From 9.am.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001g2xg

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 12/12/2022 06:23

Just don’t mention the film…

astronewt · 12/12/2022 08:39

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 12/12/2022 06:23

Just don’t mention the film…

Don't worry: that never happened. Fact. <gavel>

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