Sopra il mare sotto la terra (1965)

I read a children’s book every so often. Like those I've read in recent years, I was surprised how much I got into this story.

“Over Sea, Under Stone” hooked me from the first page. The three child characters are all vivid, believable, and likable. All other characters are lifelike as well. The author also does a good job of creating different settings.

The only big criticism I have is the excess number of adverbs. Adverbs don’t “show”, they “tell”, and whilst I accept this novel is aimed at children, and therefore requires simpler language than a book for grown-ups, children are nonetheless intelligent enough to appreciate more imaginative prose.

This novel is riddled with adverbs from start to finish, and during the first few pages I did contemplate giving up reading – as I have done with other books that are drowning in adverbs – but the strength of the plot, and the likability of the characters, made me push on, and I’m glad I did.

I’m reviewing this a few days after reading the sequel “The Dark is Rising”, which most people – according to numerous reviews I’ve read – rate much higher than “OSUS”. I differ, as I prefer the first book. I think this is down to me liking the characters more in this novel to the second book, and also because “TDIR” is heavier on fantasy elements, whereas this is routed deeper in reality, which better suits my tastes. ( )

I'm sure this would be a good introduction to fantasy for younger generations. My own younger self would have devoured these books, just like he couldn't get enough of Dianna Wynne Jones's children's fantasy. Adult me thinks it stretches a pretty straightforward story a little thin, but will still try to get a hold of the next part. ( )

The first of the Dark Is Rising books, three children on a Grail quest in Cornwall.

(Main review on Silver in the Tree) ( )

Slow start to a fantasy series; but, the rest is supposed to be better. You know you're in trouble when the best character is the dog, Rufus. The mysterious, but often absent, Great Uncle Merry is decent support for the Drew children who work to battle the forces of darkness with an Arthurian base. ( )

I made a point of collecting these to read them to my daughter.

Cooper and Alexander between them breathed a new life into English mythology and folklore for children. Cooper veers hard into King Arthur, but the British Arthur, not the French Arthurian Romances.

In this opening book, the three Drew children visit a sleepy Welsh fishing village to find themselves caught in the eternal struggle between the Dark and the Light in the quest for the lost Grail.

It is excellently executed if standard "children find the McGuffin" fare for the period; its strength lies in its background, Cooper's mastery of atmosphere, and its serving as a semi-first book/semi prelude to her grander Dark is Rising pentology.

Recommended even for adults with an interest/enthusiasm for King Arthur and British folklore, but this will be the least appealing entry to an adult audience- aside, perhaps, from Barnaby having a realization about "Gumerry." ( )