How long is The Dark Is Rising?

The Dark Is Rising is 272 pages, or approximately 82,269 words. At an average reading pace, it takes about 6 hours to read.

Is The Dark Is Rising difficult to read?

The Dark Is Rising has a difficulty score of 5.3 out of 10, making it quite demanding. Key factors include vocabulary complexity (6.8/10), sentence structure (5.8/10), abstract concepts (5.2/10).

What genre is The Dark Is Rising?

The Dark Is Rising is categorized as Coming-of-Age, Fantasy. It was published in 1973 by Susan Cooper.

Is The Dark Is Rising worth reading?

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper is well-received with a literary regard score of 5.6/10. Visit ReadingRate for the full difficulty analysis and reading guide.

When was The Dark Is Rising published?

The Dark Is Rising was published in 1973 by Susan Cooper.

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

Name: The Dark Is Rising
Author: Susan Cooper

Published 1973 · 272 pages · 82,269 words · about 6 hours at an average pace · Coming-of-Age, Fantasy

How hard is The Dark Is Rising to read?

The Dark Is Rising scores 53 out of 100 for difficulty on ReadingRate, making it quite demanding. The score is a weighted composite of nine measures: four of how hard the prose is to parse, five of how hard the meaning is to extract.

Vocabulary: 68 out of 100: Cooper employs a rich, descriptive vocabulary with occasional archaic phrasing (e.g., "The Walker is abroad," "The day grows") and specialized fantasy terms ("Old Ones," "Gramarye," "Old Speech," "Signs"). While not as dense with invented language as *Finnegans Wake*, the text introduces a unique lexicon and uses elevated descriptive terms, requiring some attention from the reader, placing it closer to *Moby-Dick* in its specialized vocabulary.
Sentence structure: 58 out of 100: Sentences are typically well-structured and of moderate length, often employing compound and complex structures with subordinate clauses to convey detailed descriptions and character thoughts. While the prose flows smoothly and avoids the extreme hypotaxis of authors like Henry James, it is more intricate than simple declarative sentences found in *1984*, maintaining a balanced rhythm similar to *The Great Gatsby*.
Abstraction: 52 out of 100: The narrative is primarily concrete, focusing on Will's immediate experiences and the unfolding plot, even as it introduces profound fantasy elements like magic, time travel, and the cosmic conflict between Light and Dark. Philosophical or theoretical content is embedded within the story's events and character interactions, rather than presented through explicit digressions, keeping it grounded like *The Great Gatsby* but with fantasy content.
Information density: 65 out of 100: The text presents a moderate to high information density, layering sensory details, character interactions, and the rapid introduction of a complex magical world and its history. Concepts like the 'Old Speech,' time travel, and the Light/Dark conflict are woven into the plot, requiring close attention to track the various elements and shifts. This places it above straightforward narratives like *Diary of a Young Girl* but below the encyclopedic demands of *Ulysses*.
Narrative indirection: 45 out of 100: The narrative primarily follows Will's perspective, directly presenting events and his dawning understanding of the magical world. While the reader often infers the larger implications of the Light and Dark conflict before Will fully grasps them, the text generally explains mysterious occurrences through Merriman or Will's own internal realizations. For example, James's memory being wiped of the rook attack is explicitly noted, rather than left for pure reader inference.
Symbolic density: 60 out of 100: The book is rich with explicit symbolism, central to its fantasy nature. The Signs (quartered circles) directly represent elements of the Light, and ancient traditions like the Yule log and the Hunting of the Wren are imbued with clear magical significance. While these symbols are often explained or contextualized within the narrative, they consistently carry meaning beyond their literal presence, elevating the story above simple adventure.
Ironic distance: 25 out of 100: The narrative maintains a largely earnest and direct tone, aligning closely with Will's perspective and emotional experience. There is minimal authorial detachment or subversion of meaning; the fantastical elements and the conflict between Light and Dark are presented as straightforward realities within the story's world. This direct engagement prevents significant ironic distance, placing it closer to narratives focused on sincere emotional connection.
Resolution withholding: 72 out of 100: As part of a multi-book series, the excerpt deliberately leaves many major plot points unresolved, creating significant suspense. The overarching conflict of the Dark rising is far from concluded, the Lady is incapacitated, and Hawkin's betrayal introduces new peril, ensuring the reader is left with numerous unanswered questions and a strong anticipation for future developments.
Structural complexity: 48 out of 100: The narrative is largely linear, following Will's experiences in a chronological fashion. While the plot incorporates elements of time travel, these shifts are presented as integral magical events within the story rather than experimental narrative techniques, and are typically explained by characters like Merriman. The perspective remains consistently focused on Will, avoiding complex POV shifts or formal experimentation.

How The Dark Is Rising is regarded

The Dark Is Rising holds a literary regard score of 56 out of 100, weighing its place in the canon, its critical reception, its influence on other writers, and the standing of its author. Regard is measured separately from difficulty: a demanding book is not necessarily an admired one.

About the author

Susan Cooper