This is a beautiful book, visually. The illustrations are gorgeous. But I just wanted more. I think I had different expectations from something set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I was hoping for something that felt similar to that book and was identifiably that world and I just didn't feel that here. It just fell a little flat for me.

Note: I received a free unpublished proof of this book, for a limited time, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.

This book was an instant request since it’s the newest work by Susanna Clarke, multi-Hugo-nominated author of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and Piranesi. This one is actually an illustrated short story, so it’s not nearly as long as Clarke’s earlier works, but she still brings her signature style and it’s a great read nonetheless.

I’m not going to say too much about it because, again, it’s essentially a picture book, albeit a melancholy one for adults. You should know that The Wood at Midwinter does not follow the same characters seen in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, though it is explicitly set in the same universe. Having read that book beforehand is hence unnecessary, but if you read this and expect all of her other work to be in the same exact “vein” it’s a bit of a non sequitur. I think that those who have read her previous work will appreciate a couple of elements of this one a bit more, but it’s by no means necessary, and I could say that about pretty much any author with a unique style and a lot of overlapping subject matter in their writing.

I liked this short story a lot and would not be surprised if it made its way into Hugo, Nebula, Locus, World Fantasy, etc. nomination lists, particularly as it’s illustrated and published as its own book. This is not to say that the excellent works published in Uncanny, Clarkesworld, Apex, and the like are somehow lesser for not being published in book form—indeed, I have read many more traditionally-published short stories that are equally good or better than this one—but its unique release format, plus Clarke’s well-known name, are likely to get it on more people’s radar.

I can’t talk about the subject matter without giving away a massive amount of information about the story, but I will make a few remarks out of context that will make sense if you’ve read the thing.

Firstly, I like that the story includes a mix of Christian ideas, like saints, as well as more folkloric elements, in the historic United Kingdom. A lot of stories tend to either take place in pre-Christian times with Norse/Celtic lore, or take place in an entirely-Christian setting, and don’t really recognize that Christian societies in the United Kingdom have held many folk beliefs that aren’t pagan or pre-Christian but don’t come directly from the Bible.

Secondly, I like that the story is very fairy-tale-esque, and heavily inspired by existing folklore, without just being a retelling of an existing tale. Clarke explains some of her inspirations in the afterword, and while I think that she may have mentioned being inspired by a couple of existing tales, the final product can stand by itself as its own thing. I am frankly kind of tired of fairy tale retellings myself, if only because they have dominated a small but notable sector of popular culture for the past fifteen years or so.

Lastly, I sort of relate to some parts of this story, though I do like my sense of community. I think that those of you who relate to my lifelong desire to run off to some sort of utopian, collectivist tree-dwelling society that follows a polytheistic religion with the goal of getting married, starting a family, and working as a healer might enjoy this book. (No, that’s not what happens in this book. At all. It’s just a point of reference that felt similar and something that I think a lot of people could relate to.) Alas, I can not do that, so I am here, reading books, applying for any job that looks interesting, planning my future vegetable and herb garden, and arguing with people on the Internet instead.

Overall, I recommend this book to fans of Susanna Clarke, as well as fans of historical fantasy short stories in general.

Susanna Clarke's riding is always an off-kilter delight, but The Wood at Midwinter is downright haunting. Though a short tale, this one will stay with me for a long time to come.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Yes it’s sweet, yes the illustrations are beautiful, and yes I like the story overall. Yet when you hope for so much more, because you adore Clarke the way I do, it’s hard not to feel under whelmed by this very short little snippet story. All I can wonder is why Clarke shares so little these days of the world I can only imagine lives in her head. There must be dozens more stories (big and small) to be told or expanded on from the footnotes of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I yearn for them all; even knowing we are unlikely to see most of them surface into publication.
And thus I should maybe give this three stars; but I’ll give it four as it’s only fair to be reminded that my hopes and expectations are not why Clarke writes stories.

Short, but beautiful. The story follows Merowdis who is destined to be a saint during a single trip into the woods at midwinter. While the story itself is beautiful, its the illustrations that steal the show. I found the afterword by the author to be just as important as the story itself, and I would say I even enjoyed it more. I could see myself coming back to this story every winter.

A good short story immersed in a magical winter atmosphere mixed with folklore. I do wish it were a little bit longer, but overall, it's a nice story to listen to as winter nears and you want to curl up with a classic winter tale.

Susanna Clarke is a marvellous author, and the fantasy she weaves is unlike anything I've ever read. I want to carve my way into her worlds and find a way to live in them.

Clarke offers a short winter fable tale set in the world of ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’. A woman rumored to be a Saint sets off into a snow-cloaked woodland, accompanied by her animal companions. Once there, she laments the need to marry and her burning desire for a child of her own. While the animals suggest that winter is the worst time for children, a vision offers the woman a path towards a different future. This illustrated work contains themes of loving broadly as well as intertwining nature and humanity.

Susanna Clark brings to fruition one of my favorite methods of storytelling, in which the setting itself becomes a character. The wood blooms to life in this wonderful novella that explores longing, fear, and beauty of the natural world. Though I believe the story could have benefitted from a longer length novella or even a full novel, what Clark manages to accomplish in just these few short pages is still a feat.

A near perfect, quiet winter story that reads like a fairy or folk tale, complete with lovely artwork (seriously, more illustrated books for adults please!). The reader can feel the magic in the story and in the characters, which include the wood itself. I'll be honest, the not a lot of action going on here, but I'm fine with that - the magic is enough for me. I say this story is near perfect; what I mean is, I want a full book about Merowdis, telling her story of after she sees the strange person in the wood that changes her life. Perhaps I'll get lucky and Clarke that book one day, and I do hope it gets illustrated by Victoria Sawdon as well!

TheWoodatMidwinter #NetGalley

This book was short and sweet! Was the perfect little winter read to get me ready for the cold ahead. It is very poetic, and throughout I felt immersed in the winter scenery. The book also includes beautiful illustrations that added a nice pause within your reading. The story itself was a bit melancholic, which is what I search for in books this time of year.

This tiny-compact is book full of fantastical and woodsy wonder. Perfect for long-time fans of Susanna Clarke and new ones. A book you'll pull out to re-read when the weather starts getting a little cozier.

Thank you Susanna Clarke for wiring a book that will be so fun to share with customers, thank you Netgalley for providing the platform and thank you Bloomsbury Publishing for bringing us readers this title!

This is a beautiful book, and I appreciated getting to read it early, though it is even lovelier in person. It’s shorter than I expected and a quiet story, but one I can see coming back to this winter. It inspired me to finally read Piranesi as well, so I appreciate it for that, too! I loved listening to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell when it came out, and the story made me want to revisit that, too. I am grateful for the early copy!

Thank you to Susanna Clarke, Bloomsbury USA, Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "The Wood at Midwinter." I have been head over heels for Clarke since picking up Piranesi for a Hugo one year, and now I cannot set her down. I was so excited to be granted this, and utterly surprised when this little fable stole me away entirely. The story is magical and mysterious. The art is divine. The characters grow their own voices as they go.

I cannot wait to get copies of this one and tuck it into a number of Christmas stockings.

A magical tale, beautifully illustrated, with a calm and serene feel. The way the woods were described was so vivid that at times I felt chilled, yet peaceful and calm. I only wish there was more to the story.

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke is a beautifully atmospheric and mysterious novel, known for its immersive world-building and eerie, magical quality. Clarke, most famous for her novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, continues her exploration of magic and the supernatural in a way that is both haunting and captivating.

The story weaves together elements of dark fantasy with subtle horror, set against a wintery, remote landscape that feels timeless and full of secrets. It's a tale about a peculiar, enchanting wood where time and reality don’t follow the usual rules. As the plot unfolds, it takes the reader deeper into a web of mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and the blurred lines between human and supernatural realms. Clarke's prose, like in her previous work, is lush and detailed, drawing readers into a world where the atmosphere is as much a character as the people inhabiting it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book is beautifully written and tells the story of Merowdis and her longing to be alone among the woods and everything that lives there. It feels very much like a fairy tale, with talking animals, and even talking trees, and is accompanied by fantastic art.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I was not the target audience for this. I did not realize this was a fairy tale / novella. It just didn’t do enough for me.

Susanna Clarke knows how to write an eerie and beautifully written tale. Within the 50 or so pages we get she creates a story that evokes such strong and tender emotions that you help but feel empathetic towards them. As always, I look forward to reading what she does next.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.