As the nights grow longer and the air turns dark, wet, and cold, it’s unmistakably that time of year again. Winter is on the horizon, and Christmas isn’t far behind. For me, this season always calls for one tradition: an annual re-read of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper.
I first discovered this book in the library of my secondary school, Hurworth, near Darlington. The cover, dark and sinister, caught my eye. It was an unusual choice for a young adult book and utterly irresistible to my fantasy-loving younger self. From the moment I opened it, I was hooked. I’ve read it so many times since then, and it never fails to captivate me.
I didn’t know until adulthood that the book is book 2 of a series of 5 books. (I must admit, despite owning the omnibus edition, I’ve yet to read the rest of the series! Perhaps 2025 will finally be the year to rectify that.)
For now, though, it’s all about revisiting this incredible story. There’s something timeless about it, and Susan Cooper’s writing feels just as magical and compelling as when I first encountered it. Labels like “young adult” have never mattered much to me—if a book speaks to you, it speaks to you. And The Dark is Rising has been a constant companion since childhood.
Here are a few quotes that still give me chills and showcase Cooper’s brilliant prose:
“The Walker is abroad. And this night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.”
“The snow lay apologetic over the world.”
“When the dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;
Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;
Five will return, and one go alone.”
If you’ve never read this gem of a book, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s haunting, lyrical, and unforgettable—a true classic.
