Where the Kids Stumble on an Ancient Mystery

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this book is quite good, well written and entertaining, so I give it 4 out of 5. But that's an old man judging a MG (YA?) book. I can't say for sure, but I think a young me would have given this a 5, and I'm sorry I didn't get to read it way back when.

I found The Dark is Rising, the second book--the only book, as far as I knew, at the time--when I was in 7th or 8th grade. It's kind of a Christmas book, and I read it around that time of year, and it really struck a chord. I loved it. It felt deeply significant and mysterious, becoming a type I tried to find over and over again. (The closest I ever found was another fun book, The Weirdstone of Brisangamen.) When I learned there were other books in the series, I really wanted to get my hands on them, but our library only had the one book. I never got back to the series until recently, wanting to satisfy a curiosity from 45+ years ago.

Too bad I didn't find this back then. It's a well written, exciting story in the same vein as the sequel, and from an analytic perspective is probably a better novel. Unlike the second book (which, again, I really liked) the children in this book are active from the start, taking things into their hands, facing and evading dangers, solving mysteries. In the second book, exciting things happen around the main character, but he is responsible for little of it. The children having greater agency, taking an active role in the outcome, is, IMO, preferable.

The kids are staying with their parents in a cool old house near the coast in Cornwall. They find a document leading to something; their unconventional Great Uncle Merry seems tapped into secrets he's not explaining, though he's a good guy; certain people in the neighborhood act friendly but seem scary and creepy; and there's an ancient mystery they're starting to unravel, which the bad guys want to beat them to. It's a good story.

It's not flawless. It's a bit long; the children sometimes do silly things, like keep important details secret from the others, that create conflicts unnecessarily; and the bad guys vary from threatening to feckless. But the biggest problem in the novel, I think, is how Merriman does his Dumbledore impression, letting little kids face great dangers without explaining things very well or strategizing with them how to accomplish their goals. The author did it, I believe, to achieve a certain feeling. For kids, it's a great fantasy, having an adventure like this, doing things on their own in the face of great risk (like drowning). But for adults, it looks a lot like irresponsible behavior that is definitely child endangerment. Bit of a plot hole.

Despite that, it's a lot of fun, and probably very appropriate, 60 years after it was published, for YA readers or MG readers, especially those who enjoy books nearing 300 pages. (It would be nothing for those young readers who plow through LOTR or the Harry Potter series, obviously.) And it's still pretty good for old dudes who missed it the first time around.

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Young Me Loved This

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first read this in 8th or 9th grade, it was a favorite, and I still have fond memories of reading it near Christmas (when the story is set) and feeling a deep connection with it.

Alas--I don't feel it now. But it's still pretty good. The language is nice, the setting is excellent, the characters are interesting, and even though the plot disappoints in the end, it's entertaining to read.

When I was sort of new to fantasy, all of the mythic history, unknown allies, shadowy sense of menace, and a slow revelation of a grand, hidden design were transporting. I was entranced by it and felt like I was living a huge adventure. I hope that's how kids still feel when they open it.

As an older reader, I'm frustrated to see that Will isn't much of a protagonist. He doesn't know what's happening; he is given objects whose purpose he doesn't understand; he's given directions--where to go, what to do--without being told why or understanding why; he takes no direct action on his own. An inanimate object could literally have replaced him. I mean, he's a nice kid, and I am sympathetic to him, but he never has a chance to show moxie or cleverness or skill or inspiration. His team doesn't live or die based on his efforts. (He does, at least, go along with what they say without running away. So that's pretty good.)

And the story is super weak on why. Why is he different? Why were they waiting for him? Why didn't Merriman or someone more knowledgeable do the things they had him do?

So--it's a fun ride. A cool adventure. But Will isn't the star. It looks like the older mentor (the Gandalf/Dumbledore kind of guy) should be considered the quarterback, and Will should be considered the football.

Four stars for nostalgia.

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