Books: Susan Cooper and The Dark is Rising

Many people have many Christmas rituals, but for me a special one is reading The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper.  The book, Volume 2  in the sequence also called The Dark is Rising was first published in 1973, so this year is its fortieth birthday.

So what's so special?  The books are classic questing tales of good versus evil, with British myth and legend cleverly, no brilliantly, interwoven to make a coherent and believable whole, one of those other worldly stories that could just be happening all around us.  If we just opened our eyes and minds, or paid more attention to what is happening in the periphery of our vision, we might see some unexpected things.  Having a background as an archaeologist, and having grown up in the Thames Valley, my brain fair buzzes when real, yet sometimes enigmatic places are given reason, meaning and coherence.  It may be a story, but it could be true.

So why a Christmas ritual?  The second novel in the sequence, and my favourite, opens on Midwinter's Eve and the action then builds through the festive season and hurtling towards Twelfth Night.  Sometimes I have a real mental battle with myself and have to stop reading to avoid getting ahead of the plot.  I must read in real time.

So why a blog post about something as simple as reading a book?  Well, this year an international readathon is taking place to mark not only the fortieth anniversary but also to celebrate Susan Cooper's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 World Fantasy Convention.  Today, 7th December, those taking part in the readathon begin with book one, Over Sea, Under Stone set down in Cornwall.

More details can be found here The Dark is Rising and a link to Susan Coopers official site here .  Now, excuse me, but I have some important reading to do.