November’s book in the readalong of Susan Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising” sequence is the fourth in the series, and the title is “The Grey King”. I approached this particular title with interest; and it does seem to me that as I move on through the sequence, I’m actually remembering less and less about the books! “Grey…” is set in Wales, which is pretty much all I could recall as I started the book, though as I read on I began to remember more about the story…
“Grey…” is very much Will Stanton’s adventure; although he was the focus of the second book, “The Dark is Rising“, and a part of book three, “Greenwitch“, here we find him on a solo quest of his own, and at the start of the story he’s very vulnerable. Recovering from a serious illness (which we later find out is hepatitis), he’s weak and convalescent; but most crucially, he’s forgotten his quest and the rhyme which sets out how the Light must fight the Dark. Sent off to Wales to stay with family, there is no sign of his usual ally, Merriman Lyon, and Will cannot recall the power he has or what he can do.
Will is billeted in the hills of North Wales, around Tywyn, staying with the Evans family in their farmhouse, and of course farming is crucial to the people of this area. He soon encounters a strange albino boy, Bran Davies, who lives with his father and roams the local hills in the company of his beloved dog, Cafall. Before long, Will has been prompted to recall everything – his quest, who he is and why he has been sent to Wales. However, he is up against a deadly foe in the form of the titular Grey King, one of the oldest Lords of the Dark, although he has limitations; he cannot break the laws of High Magic, and may be restricted to his stronghold on Cader Idris. The Dark Lord is aided by the Milgwn, huge grey foxes who are threatening enough in their own right but who can also bring sorrow to the forces of the Light. And another opposing force is the twisted local man, Caradog Prichard, who spews bile and evil at every turn.
Will is not without allies, though; the Evans family and local man John Rowlands are on his side; and Bran, despite his strangeness and potential hostility, provides support. But the road Will takes to complete his quest is not an easy one, and it will involve loss, madness and all the bravery he and Bran can muster.
Needless to say, this was just as powerful a read as the other books in the sequence which I’ve revisited so far; and in fact it’s one of those works which transports you. The books, as we know, draw on the Arthurian legends and here the connection and influence is particularly strong; but in addition there is the source of Welsh folklore and the location itself, and this added an extra element for me. You see, when I first read these books, I think I’d only visited Wales once or twice and very briefly; but since that time, I’ve spent regular holidays in North Wales, and so the landscape, the language and the whole feel of the area was so much more familiar to me on reading “The Grey King”. In fact, I had to laugh ruefully at one section when Bran tries to teach Will the proper pronunciation of some Welsh names, as I’ve had that experience myself.
Once again Cooper creates a wonderful book which not only is an absorbing, exciting and often very moving book, but also manages to incorporate some very adult themes. Bran’s parentage is complex, with his mother who appeared, left him with Owen Davies, and then vanished, the subject of unwanted attention from Prichard. Prichard himself is portrayed descending into madness, demonstrating that negative human emotions can let the dark in to anyone’s mind. And Will has some very mature discussions with Rowlands regarding the battle between Light and Dark, and how the effect on humans is not necessarily of any concern to those involved in that fight. It’s frankly not the kind of material you’d expect to find in something billed as a children’s book, and it’s all the more powerful for it!
Really, there are so many layers to the book that I could talk about it forever! The character of Bran is a particularly memorable one, with his complex backstory, his loyalty to his father and his dog, and his friendship with Will. That relationship is not always easy for either, but it’s wonderful to see that his loneliness may be assuaged towards the end of the book. And those more compex issues are powerfully presented: from the effects on humanity of the actions of the light through Caradog’s madness, Owen Davies’ powerful passion, Bran’s solitary life and the effect on the farming humans plus the destruction caused by the Grey King and his servants, these are difficult topics and all add to the richness of the narrative.
The more I read my way through this sequence, the more I become convinced of the stellar literary talents of Susan Cooper. Her language and description is as ever stunning, conjuring the landscapes whether real or imagined, and her characters struggle with real human emotions and issues. As always with these books, there is real peril and moments of tension where you fear that the Light will lose, despite your knowledge that they must prevail. And there are moments of sadness and poignancy, as well as startling revelations at times when you suddenly realise important things about Bran’s parentage, or the reason his dog is named as it is.
Revisiting “The Grey King” was an absorbing and compelling experience, and I had to resist the temptation to continue reading the sequence; part of me wanted to rush on to the final book, but another part of me doesn’t want to finish this wonderful readalong. Re-reading “The Dark is Rising” series is turning out to be a highlight of my reading year, and I will be sad to see it coming to an end!
*****
As I side-note, I couldn’t help notice that this book is dedicated to J.B. and Jacquetta – i.e. Priestley and Hawkes! I didn’t know that Cooper was friendly with this illustrious pair, and it does remind me I should get on with reading the books of theirs I have lurking on Mount TBR…
madamebibilophile
Nov 28, 2022 @ 07:16:47
Wonderful review Kaggsy! Your enthusiasm has definitely inspired me to pick up the series, it sounds so richly detailed and well paced. And as you say, as adult readers we may pick up on things that as a child we would have paid less attention to.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 11:22:35
Thanks Madame B – there are so many layers to the book, and although supposedly written for children, many themes that adults would recognise. So loving my re-reads!
Caroline
Nov 28, 2022 @ 07:38:14
You make this sound so compelling. I have it on my piles and it sounds like this would be the perfect time to finally give it a go.
It sounds much more complex than I thought it would be.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 11:21:55
Thanks Caroline! The sequence of books is just wonderful, drawing in so many themes – I really have loved my re-read.
Margot Kinberg
Nov 28, 2022 @ 11:43:36
There really do seem to be so many layers to this one! I like it that it’s a personal exploration as well as the larger story going on. And the Welsh setting seems very well-done, too. And the fantasy element is wrapped all around it quite effectively. Little wonder you were happy with your re-visit!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 16:01:24
Yes, that’s very much the case, Margot – there’s the larger question set against the personal, and Cooper often puts little scenes in to remind you that these are still young people doing these great tasks. Really loved this one.
chrisharding53
Nov 28, 2022 @ 12:38:25
Lovely review. I need to re-read the series.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 16:00:19
Thank you! I’ve been intending to re-read for so long, and so was glad to finally get round to it!
Lory
Nov 28, 2022 @ 12:47:30
This book gave me such a strong impression of Wales, I somehow had the sense more of the series was set there … but it really only comes in with this book! I’m looking forward to the next one where I always loved the scenes set in the “lost land.” Glad your revisit has been such a pleasure.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 15:59:56
It’s been a real joy revising these books, and each has stood out in a different way. I loved the Welsh setting in this one and can’t wait for the next one, thought it will be sad to get to the end.
Helen
Nov 28, 2022 @ 15:54:38
I loved all of the books in this series and would have joined in with the readalong if I hadn’t just finished them so recently! I found the Welsh setting in this one particularly atmospheric.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 15:58:28
It was, wasn’t it? I love Wales anyway so it did resonate, and I thought the blending of all the different myths was so well done!
Vishy
Nov 28, 2022 @ 16:57:49
This looks like a fascinating epic series, Kaggsy! It is so nice that it is set in Wales! So tempted to read! Will add it to my list. Thanks for this wonderful review!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 18:48:30
It’s a wonderful sequence of books, Vishy – I hope you enjoy it if you get to read it!
Vishy
Nov 29, 2022 @ 12:18:54
So wonderful to know that, Kaggsy! Will add it to my list. Thanks for this beautiful review 😊
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 29, 2022 @ 13:45:55
Most welcome Vishy!
bookbii
Nov 28, 2022 @ 18:08:14
The Grey King is one of the books that really turned me into a reader and I’ve read it many times since. It’s a gorgeous book, deeply evocative, and for me the best in the sequence. Your beautiful review does it justice 🙂 How lovely to read the sequence as an adult. It is not disappointing.
Thanks for reminding me of this amazing book.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 28, 2022 @ 18:48:04
Thank you! It’s such a powerful and memorable book, and knowing Wales so much better than I did when I first read it, it resonated even more with me now. My revisit to the whole series has been a huge joy.
heavenali
Nov 28, 2022 @ 21:08:20
You do make this sound terrific. Like so many series you love – LOTR, Gormenghast and Narnia I haven’t read any of these books. It’s great though when something you loved as a child/teenager stands the test of time years later. I am sure you must find layers that you spot back then. I am about to re-read something I first read in my teens, and I’m really looking forward to it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 29, 2022 @ 11:26:00
Yes, a re-read can be risky but it’s so lovely when the books are just as good, if not better. Definitely seeing more in these this time round and I hope you enjoy your re-read!
Julé Cunningham
Nov 29, 2022 @ 01:21:51
I’m having the same experience in reading about these books, even though it wasn’t too many years ago I first read them, and now have grown convinced a re-read is in order. I love how you got even more from this book because of your own experience of spending time in Wales!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 29, 2022 @ 11:25:13
A re-read would definitely be a good thing – I highly recommend it! I think they’re the kind of books which improve with re-reading and certainly for me they have layers I might not have picked up before. And yes – having a connection with Wales has added much for me!
TravellinPenguin
Nov 29, 2022 @ 09:44:40
She seems like a very imaginative author. Sounds fun. I do hope the dog is ok.🙉
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 29, 2022 @ 11:24:09
It is fun. But (spoiler alert) – the dog has issues… 😦
Calmgrove
Nov 29, 2022 @ 20:12:22
I hadn’t picked up on who the dedicatees were, so thanks for enlightening me! Hawkes of course wrote A Land, a slim Pelican volume I dipped into without much understanding decades ago but which I want to revisit, especially now I know of this literary connection in Cooper’s Wales-set piece.
You’ve brilliantly evoked what I remember about this, even though it’s only a recent read. My further discussion of The Grey King is scheduled for a week away now, by the way!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 29, 2022 @ 20:27:09
I also had a copy of A Land once but I suspect passed it on some time ago, and wish I hadn’t because I *really* want to read it now. And thanks – I did love this one, particular the Welsh connection. I’m looking forward to the final one, yet not wanting teh series to end!!
Annabel (AnnaBookBel)
Dec 02, 2022 @ 11:11:39
Sorry to be late in commenting! November was a hectic month for me. I love your review! Bran is indeed a fascinating character, and I look forward to meeting him again in the final book. This fourth book has really struck a chord with many in the readalong – more so than the others perhaps, although I still think Greenwitch just has the edge for me with its natural magic in the effigy the women build – although The Grey King does come very, very close.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 02, 2022 @ 11:39:36
Thanks Annabel! This was such an atmospheric read, and I loved Bran too – an excellent introduction to the stories. Can’t wait to get to the final book , though I’ll be so sad to see the end of the quest!
Liz Dexter
Dec 04, 2022 @ 12:37:10
I, too, know a lot more about Wales since the last time I read these and so I’m looking forward to finding out how that affects my re-read this time around.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 04, 2022 @ 17:24:40
Oh, interesting! It certainly made me feel more familiar with the landscape and people and legends so I viewed the whole setting differently!