The Grey King

SLIS 5420- Module 4



The Grey King by Susan Cooper

Bibliography:

Cooper, Susan. The Grey King. Macmillan Publishing Co. (1975).

Summary:

A part of The Dark is Rising series, The Grey King tells of Will Stanton, a young English boy recovering from a serious illness and sent to relatives in Wales to recover. Plagued by a sense of near-rememberance regarding a special purpose for his life, Will fights to discover what great truth is hidden in his illness-ravaged mind. With the help of a friend, Bran, and his dog Cafall, Will finally recalls that he is no ordinary boy. He is an Old One, destined before time to fight the unending battle against the Dark that is rising around them and fighting for control of the people around him. An age-old poem guides Will's focus, as he must "open the oldest hills" and find the harp of gold, a symbol of power that the Dark wishes to remain hidden. This harp of gold has the power to waken the Sleepers from the deep and set them free to fight in the battle against the Dark.

Thoughts:

Having read The Dark is Rising in school several years ago, I was looking forward to reading this book in the series. Though I had not read the plot line in years, I was comforted as I began reading that no prior knowledge or understanding of previous happenings in preceeding books was necessary in understanding and appreciating the story of The Grey King. The characters were accessible, the setting beautifully and simply described, and the plot started in earnest at the beginning of the book and moved ever forward as the battle against the rising Dark grew deeper and greater. As this book is written for children, I appreciate that the hero is a child himself, yet the language is not condescending or belittling of the readers. Will Stanton, our hero, is a child enriched with Old wisdom and powers, making him loveable and inspirational, and moving the child reader to believe that even the youngest and seemingly weak can play a big part in protecting what is important. I recommend this book, and ultimately the series, to young and old readers alike.

Reviews:

"Susan Cooper is one of the few contemporary writers who has the vivid imagination, the narrative powers, and the moral vision that permit her to create the kind of sweeping conflict between good and evil that lies at the heart of all great fantasy. Tolkien had it. So did C.S. Lewis. And Cooper writes in the same tradition." - Psychology Today

"While recovering from hepititis, Will Stanton is sent to a farm in Wales where he is soon caught up in the battle against "the Dark." He struggles to recall the prophetic lines he once memorized and gradually, as he learns the local place names of the geographic features around him, the meaning of the lines becomes clear to him. Through Bran, a young boy with mysterious origins who becomes Will's friend, Will fulfills the prophecies and once again defeats the Dark. This fourth book of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series (S&S Children's, 1975) won the 1976 Newbery Medal. Twenty-five years later, it is still as powerful and mesmerizing as when it was first published." - School Library Journal

Ideas for Use:

Draw attention to the golden harp. What is it about the harp that makes it special? Look at pictures of a harp, draw a harp, etc. Talk about the music of the harp, and what effect it has on those that listen- it is calming, soothing. Listen to harp music, or if possible, invite a harpist to come play for the class. Ask the students why they think it was a harp that the Old Ones must use to wake the Sleepers, instead of a different instrument?