Over Sea, Under Stone

I have a certain perception about this book.

On one hand, I think it serves as a rather good entry point into the Dark is Rising Sequence. However, it's undeniable that it's not the most powerful or outstanding book within the series. You can sense that the author was sort of in the process of exploring and finding her way as she wrote it.

The aspect of reading about the mystery is extremely cool. The description of the cave by the sea with the tide rapidly coming in is truly the stuff that nightmares are made of. But to be honest, in my opinion, the book could have been a bit more concise.

Moreover, there are some unanswered questions that linger in my mind. For instance, how exactly did Great Uncle Merry manage to figure out where they were? And where on earth did he obtain a speedboat? These details add an extra layer of mystery to the story.

Overall, while this book has its merits, it also has some areas that could have been improved upon.

A friend recently raved about this series, passionately citing it as one of the seminal literary experiences of her childhood. I, on the other hand, had never even heard of the author or the series before. But when I went to my local bookstore to order the set, the bookseller reacted in much the same enthusiastic way. For this reader, whose imagination was vividly shaped by the enchanting fantasies of C.S. Lewis, Ursula K Le Guin, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lloyd Alexander, and who as an adult has relished Philip Pullman and JK Rowling's works like warm butterscotch pudding, I was instantly sold.

So, perhaps my expectations were unreasonably high. This first book, while sweet and cozy, hardly sent my imagination soaring to great heights. Set in Cornwall contemporary to when it was written (early 60s), Over Sea, Under Stone launches three siblings off on a summer adventure to find an Arthurian-era grail, with the help of their enigmatic Uncle Merry. It is indeed delightful, but it lacks the mysticism and deeper metaphorical explorations that are the hallmarks of Tolkien or Lewis or Le Guin. It is a lighthearted lark that holds the promise of future forays into the realms of wizards, exciting journeys, and tales of darker, deeper magic.
Seeing as the dark, damp winter still looms large in the Pacific Northwest, despite having crested the Solstice, I will eagerly dig into the subsequent books in this series, embarking on my own grail-like quest to be completely swept away by the magic within its pages.

The first installment in "The Dark is Rising" series, both chronologically and sequentially, is truly a remarkable work.

Years ago, the wonderful librarian at Jefferson Elementary in San Francisco had recommended these books to me, and now, finally, I have managed to get around to reading them.

For both children and adults who are enthusiasts of "Harry Potter" or other literature deeply rooted in Arthurian and English myth, these books are an absolute must-read.

"Over Sea, Under Stone" introduces the reader to the engaging characters of Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew, along with their mysterious uncle Merriman, as they embark on a thrilling quest for the Grail.

The story is told with such skill and vividness that it immediately draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the very end. It is a superb piece of literature that combines elements of adventure, mystery, and mythology to create a truly captivating reading experience.

Whether you are a fan of the genre or simply looking for a great book to read, "Over Sea, Under Stone" is definitely worth your time.

Haters will say I slept through the climax of this audiobook while listening on my road trip. However, they don't understand the circumstances. The long hours on the road, the monotonous scenery, and the gentle rhythm of the narrator's voice all contributed to my drowsiness. It wasn't that I wasn't interested in the story; in fact, I had been fully engaged up until that point. But sometimes, the body just needs rest, and in that moment, sleep took over.

Despite this minor setback, I still managed to enjoy the majority of the audiobook. The story was captivating, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator's performance was excellent, bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the plot. Even though I missed the climax, I was able to piece together what had happened from the subsequent events and the overall context of the story.

In the end, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging listen. Don't let the haters deter you from experiencing the joy of this wonderful story.

"Over Sea, Under Stone" holds a special place as the first installment of Susan Cooper's renowned "The Dark is Rising" sequence.

Set in Cornwall, it follows three children on holiday who accidentally discover an ancient map. Soon, they are thrust into a thrilling race against time and the menacing forces of The Dark to locate an ancient treasure. With the help of their mysterious Great-Uncle Merry, Simon, Jane, and Barney must rely on their own wits and courage.

For modern young adult fantasy readers, some elements may seem familiar, but this book is a true original. The well-developed characters make mistakes and show heroic determination, adding a rare realism.

The author, a reporter at the time, wrote this novel in her spare time at the urging of a colleague, unaware that it would grow into a five-volume series. As a result, many readers view "Over Sea, Under Stone" as an introduction to the battle between The Light and The Dark. It is the subsequent volumes, including a Newbury Honor winner and a Newbury Award winner, that truly solidify the series' esteemed status.

**Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising #1) by Susan Cooper**

Over Sea, Under Stone is a captivating contemporary fantasy novel for children, penned by the British author Susan Cooper. It was first published in London by Jonathan Cape in 1965. Cooper later wrote four sequels approximately ten years after the initial publication, making this the first volume in a series known as The Dark is Rising (1965 - 1977).

The story centers around the Drew children - Simon, Jane, and Barney. They are on holiday with their parents and Merriman Lyon, an old family friend whom the children affectionately call their great-uncle. The Drew family meets Merriman in the fictional fishing village of Trewissick on the southern coast of Cornwall. While staying in the big Grey House they rented from Merriman's friend Captain Toms, the children discover an old manuscript in the attic. They recognize a drawing of the local coastline that appears to be a kind of map, with nearly illegible text. Barney realizes that the map refers to King Arthur and his knights, and the children decide to keep this discovery to themselves.
The family is visited at the Grey House by a very friendly Mr. Withers and his sister Polly, who invite them to go fishing on their yacht. The boys are excited, but Jane feels suspicious and declines to join. While alone in the Grey House, Jane finds a guidebook to Trewissick written by the local vicar in an old trunk. She realizes that the map in the guidebook is similar to the secret map but also different somehow. She decides to visit the vicar. However, the man at the vicarage is not the writer of the guidebook. He asks some probing questions that arouse Jane's suspicions, and she decides to return home. This novel, along with several others, was among the first English-language books in my collection from my English homeland memories. The people who gave me these books, whose names I've forgotten, were civil engineers. We were colleagues at Sabraco Consulting Engineers and lived on Mirdamad Koocheh Itlasi Street. When they left the company, they gave these books to me.

Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising #1), Susan Cooper



This book holds a special place in my heart as it was part of my early collection and has been with me through the years. The story of the Drew children's adventure is filled with mystery and excitement, captivating readers of all ages. Susan Cooper's writing transports us to the charming village of Trewissick and immerses us in the world of King Arthur and hidden maps. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps us on the edge of our seats. Whether you're a child or an adult, Over Sea, Under Stone is a must-read that will leave you longing for more adventures with the Drew children and their great-uncle Merriman.



‏‫‬‭Over Sea,Under Stone, Susan Cooper, ‏‫‬‭New York‏‫‬‭: Harcourt ,Brace & World, Inc‏‫‬‭, 1965, 252p



تاریخ نخستین خوانش نسخه اصلی: سال 1974میلادی



عنوان: برفراز دریا، زیر سنگ؛ نویسنده: سوزان کوپر؛



The first reading date of the original version: 1974 AD



Title: Over Sea, Under Stone; Author: Susan Cooper;



This book and others like it were part of my early memories of England. They were given to me by colleagues who were civil engineers. We worked together at Sabraco Consulting Engineers and lived on the same street. Their kindness in giving me these books has always stayed with me, and I continue to cherish them to this day.



تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 06/07/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی



Publication date: 06/07/1399 Hijri Shamsi; A. Sharbiani

2022 Reread:

Cooper's writing has a remarkable ability to bring to mind other writers of the same era. Notably, it evokes the works of Lewis and Tolkien, who were published just a decade before. Her descriptions are not only vivid but also incredibly atmospheric. I have been completely drawn in by her beautiful depictions of Cornwall both times I've read this book. Additionally, the fact that I have Cornish ancestors makes it even more personal for me. The revelation at the end of the book still gives me excited goosebumps. I truly hope there will be more like this!

Original review:

I have to admit that my initial expectations for this book were not high. I thought it would be more targeted towards the middle-grade audience and might be similar to the books I adored as a child but would probably bore me if I read them now. However, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I was completely hooked from the very beginning!

The book starts off with a distinct Narnia-esque feel. Siblings go to stay with an eccentric professor, and then they discover a passage behind the wardrobe. Even if this isn't the most blatant nod to Narnia, it's still clever and charming. Once the kids find the map in the attic, it takes on a Boxcar Children-esque quality, which were my favorite books as a kid. They have to figure out the clues to solve the mystery before the bad guys do, and let me tell you, the bad guys are seriously creepy!

By the halfway point, the story has transformed into a full-on Grail quest, and I was completely invested. It was like a delicious smoothie made by blending Narnia, the Boxcar Children, and Indiana Jones. The book was brilliant, especially the character of Prof Lyon. It was also really fun and unexpectedly creepy at times. There were a few minor grammatical errors, but overall, it was a really cool book. I'm excited to read the rest because I absolutely love Celtic mythology.

Thanks tons for the recommendation, Meg! <3

It has been an incredibly long time since I first delved into this series. As a child, it was one of my absolute favorites. Just recently, I purchased the boxed set with the intention of working my way through it once more.

Over Sea, Under Stone, if my memory serves me correctly, isn't truly part of the main series. Instead, it functions more as an introduction to the war between Light and Dark. With the exception of Merriman Lyon, few of the characters from this book appear in the later installments. Even as a child, I remember thinking that this was the least captivating book in the series. Rereading it as an adult, it was decent light entertainment, but very much a rather typical children's adventure.

Three pre-adolescent children, Simon, Jane, and Barney, are visiting a Cornish seaside town on vacation. Their peaceful holiday takes an exciting turn when they discover a mysterious map. Their Great-Uncle Merry reveals that it is a clue to a priceless treasure that must not fall into the wrong hands. The reasoning behind the wise and ancient Merriman (the only character of major significance in the later books) involving three kids in a battle against the forces of darkness that they scarcely understand is a bit flimsy, but it's par for the course in this type of book.

These early portrayals of Merriman and the relatively ordinary servants of the Dark are a gentle introduction to the series for younger readers. There isn't a great deal of magic in this first book; supernatural elements are only hinted at. The kids are plucky and clever when it comes to gathering clues and locating the MacGuffin, but mostly they are rescued just in the nick of time and benefit from the reader's knowledge that even the minions of evil won't really harm children in a children's book. However, for all that, it's a fairly intelligent book that draws on old Arthuriana and ancient history. So, it's definitely one that I can recommend to kids who are willing to read a book that's more thought-provoking than exciting.

I'm now going to forge ahead and read the other books, hoping that they will deliver and that this first book isn't a sign that the entire series is simply not as interesting and fun as it was when I was twelve.