92 pages • 3 hours read
The Dark Is Rising
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
The Dark Is Rising (1973) by Susan Cooper is a contemporary fantasy novel for middle grade and young adult readers. It is the second book in her series The Dark Is Rising. The book was nominated for a Newbery Award, and the series has been continuously in print for close to 50 years. It was adapted as a feature film, The Seeker, in 2007, but the film was widely panned by critics and fans of the series; Cooper herself objected to changes in the character of Will. The story has also inspired a 2022 BBC podcast series.
Page numbers in this guide refer to the 2001 Kindle edition.
Plot Summary
Will Stanton is the youngest of nine children; his family lives in rural England. On the day before his 11th birthday, Will goes with his next oldest brother, James, to collect hay from the neighboring farm. They encounter an old tramp in ragged clothes. Will mentions the tramp to the neighbor, Dawson, who murmurs that the “Walker” is abroad. The farmer gives Will an iron ornament—a circle quartered by a cross—and tells him to wear it all the time.
Snow begins to fall in the afternoon.
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