Susan Cooper is a name every fantasy lover should know. Best known for her acclaimed The Dark Is Rising sequence, Cooper has carved out a lasting legacy in children’s and young adult fantasy, blending myth, folklore, and the timeless battle between Light and Dark into unforgettable stories.
Who is Susan Cooper?
Born in 1935 in Buckinghamshire, England, Susan Cooper grew up surrounded by the English countryside that would later shape the atmosphere of her books. She studied English at Oxford, where she was taught by none other than J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, two of the most iconic figures in fantasy literature. Cooper began her career in journalism before turning to fiction, where she truly found her voice.
The Dark Is Rising Sequence
Susan Cooper’s most famous work, The Dark Is Rising series, spans five books: Over Sea, Under Stone (1965), The Dark Is Rising (1973), Greenwitch (1974), The Grey King (1975), and Silver on the Tree (1977). Together, they tell the story of the eternal struggle between the forces of the Light and the Dark, drawing heavily on Arthurian legends, Celtic folklore, and British myth.
The series is beloved for its atmospheric settings, lyrical prose, and sense of ancient magic pressing up against the modern world. It balances adventure, mystery, and a profound respect for the power of story and history.
Themes and Style
Cooper’s writing is known for:
- Mythic Resonance: She draws on deep wells of British folklore, Arthurian myth, and timeless archetypes.
- Atmosphere: Her settings often feel as alive as her characters — from the Cornish coast to the Welsh mountains, landscapes hum with power and memory.
- Coming of Age: Central to her work is the journey of young protagonists confronting destiny, responsibility, and the moral weight of their choices.
- Timelessness: Though written decades ago, her work remains fresh and resonant, speaking to universal themes of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Must-Read Works by Susan Cooper
- Over Sea, Under Stone (1965) — The adventure begins with the Drew children uncovering an ancient map that leads them into a world of myth and danger.
- The Dark Is Rising (1973) — Arguably the most famous in the sequence, following Will Stanton as he discovers he is one of the Old Ones, fated to fight the rising Dark.
- The Grey King (1975) — Set in the haunting Welsh countryside, this instalment won the Newbery Medal for its masterful use of landscape and legend.
Bibliography
Susan Cooper has had a long and celebrated writing career, best known for her contributions to children’s fantasy and young adult literature. Here is a comprehensive bibliography of her key works, organised by series and category.
The Dark Is Rising Sequence
- Over Sea, Under Stone (1965)
- The Dark Is Rising (1973)
- Greenwitch (1974)
- The Grey King (1975) – Winner of the Newbery Medal
- Silver on the Tree (1977)
Novels
- Mandrake (1964) – A suspense novel for adults.
- Dawn of Fear (1970) – Based on Cooper’s childhood memories during World War II.
- Seaward (1983) – A young adult fantasy adventure about love and loss.
- The Boggart (1993) – A humorous fantasy novel about a mischievous Scottish spirit.
- The Boggart and the Monster (1997) – Sequel to The Boggart.
- King of Shadows (1999) – A time-travel novel set in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
- Victory (2006) – A dual timeline novel about a boy in the British Navy and a modern girl in Connecticut.
- Ghost Hawk (2013) – A historical novel set in 17th-century New England.
Short Stories and Anthologies
- The Selkie Girl (1986) – A retelling of Scottish selkie folklore.
- Tam Lin (1991) – A retelling of the classic Scottish ballad.
- Contributions to various anthologies, including Firebirds (2003) and Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron (2012).
Picture Books
- Jethro and the Jumbie (1979) – Illustrated by Ashley Bryan.
- The Magician’s Boy (2005) – Illustrated by Serena Riglietti.
Plays and Screenwriting
- Foxfire (1982) – Co-written with Hume Cronyn, later adapted into a television film.
- Adaptations and screenplays for stage and TV, including adaptations of Shakespeare and original works.
Awards and Recognition
Susan Cooper has won numerous awards over her career, including the Newbery Medal, the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
The Legacy of Susan Cooper
Susan Cooper’s work has influenced generations of fantasy authors and readers. Her ability to weave together myth, landscape, and the emotional journeys of young characters makes her a pillar of classic fantasy. The Dark Is Rising sequence, in particular, continues to be celebrated for its poetic style and deep mythic roots.
In recent years, Cooper has also been vocal about the importance of keeping folklore and oral tradition alive, championing storytelling as a vital cultural inheritance.
If you’re a fan of authors like Alan Garner, Diana Wynne Jones, or Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper deserves a place on your bookshelf. Her stories remind us that the oldest tales still have power and that the struggle between Light and Dark, though ancient, is forever relevant. Whether you’re revisiting her work or discovering it for the first time, prepare to be swept into a world where magic and myth shimmer just beneath the surface of everyday life.
