Title: Greenwitch
Author: Susan Cooper
First published January 1, 1974
147 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780689840340 (ISBN10: 0689840349)
Rating: 4
Overview
Living alone in a slowly deteriorating house, Simon Watson is haunted by the drownings of the “mermaids” in his family. His sister Enola ran away six years ago and now reads tarot cards for a traveling carnival.
One day, Simon receives an old book from an antiquarian bookseller, one that chronicles a traveling carnival from the 1700s and the drowning of a mermaid. As the date of the next drowning approaches, Simon becomes increasingly concerned about his sister’s safety.
Can he solve the mystery of the curse on his family and save his sister in time? The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler is a spellbinding debut novel about the power of books, magic, and family, with stunning illustrations by the author.
Fans of Water for Elephants, The Night Circus, and The Historian will not be disappointed.
About the Author
Susan Cooper is an English author born in 1935, who grew up in Buckinghamshire, which used to be green countryside but is now part of Greater London. From a young age, Cooper was an avid reader, as was her younger brother, who also went on to become a writer.
After attending Oxford, where she was the first woman to ever edit the university’s newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for the Sunday Times, where her boss was Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.
Cooper’s first book for young readers was written in response to a publishing house competition. “Over Sea, Under Stone” later became the foundation for her acclaimed five-book fantasy series, “The Dark Is Rising.” The fourth book in the series, “The Grey King,” won the Newbery Medal in 1976.
By this time, Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved there to marry her first husband, who was an American professor. She was stepmother to three children and mother of two.
Cooper has written several other well-received novels, including “The Boggart” and its sequel “The Boggart and the Monster,” “King of Shadows,” and “Victory.” She has also written picture books for young readers, collaborating with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. Additionally, she has written books for adults, plays, and Emmy-nominated screenplays, often in collaboration with her husband, the late actor Hume Cronyn.
Cooper’s most recent works include the collaborative project “The Exquisite Corpse Adventure,” her biography of Jack Langstaff titled “The Magic Maker,” and her YA novel “Ghost Hawk.”
When not writing, Cooper enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling. Her Facebook pages are also worth a visit.
Editoral Review
Greenwitch by Susan Cooper is a childrens fantasy novel published in 1974. It is the third book in the award-winning The Dark is Rising Sequence, which includes Over Sea, Under Stone, The Dark is Rising, Greenwitch, The Grey King, and Silver on the Tree.
Susan Cooper, the British author, is best known for her work in children’s literature and has received several awards, including the Newbery Medal and the Margaret A. Edwards Award.
Set in Cornwall, the story revolves around three siblings, Barney, Jane, and Simon Drew, who team up with the Old Ones, ancient beings who protect the world from the forces of darkness. The Greenwitch, a statue of a woman made of green wood, is the centerpiece of the book.
The statue has the power to reconcile the Dark and the Light, but it has been stolen and must be found before it falls into the wrong hands. The children are sent on a quest to retrieve the statue and prevent an evil force from using the Greenwitchs powers to start a war.
The vivid description of the Cornish landscape and the history and mythology surrounding the Greenwitch are some of the book’s strengths. Additionally, Susan Cooper’s prose is accessible, and her writing has a rhythm and poetry that is enjoyable to read.
The characters are well-developed and likable, and the themes of loyalty and overcoming fear are universal. One weakness of the book is that it may be confusing for those who haven’t read the previous books in the series.
Because it’s part of a sequence, some of the backstory and worldbuilding may not be adequately explained. Also, some readers may feel the pacing is slow, especially in the first half of the book, where there is a lot of exposition and setup.
Despite its flaws, Greenwitch is an excellent read for young adults interested in mythology and folktales, and it’s a great choice for parents who want to read a book with their children. The book’s themes of courage and friendship are timeless, and the setting of Cornwall is both enchanting and atmospheric.
Readers who enjoy the work of J.K. Rowling or Neil Gaiman would appreciate Susan Cooper’s approach to children’s literature.
In conclusion, Greenwitch by Susan Cooper is a well-crafted and enchanting book that will transport readers to a magical world of ancient mythology and adventure.
I would recommend this book for young adults aged 11-14, parents looking for a family read-aloud, and anyone interested in a good fantasy tale. The book receives a rating of four out of five stars, mainly due to the slow pacing in the beginning and the previous knowledge required for readers to fully appreciate the story.
