The Wood at Midwinter

Astounding. A Written form of a BBC radio play from a few years ago, it is the tale of a woman's longing to be a mother in the only way she knows how. vivid and atmospheric, Merowdis felt very much like an extension of myself to me, always herself with her animals and in the woods. there were stark differences between us, she wants to be a mother and is equally at home in a church, I would rather anything over being a mother and think I might burn where I stand if I enter a place of worship. I think all of us, especially neurodivergents, can see themselves at least a little in Merowdis, deeply seated in our passions which those around us fundamentally misunderstand. I definitely need to seek out the radio play at my earliest convenience, I cannot wait to recommend this wonder of a book to my customers.

Brief but haunting, set in the same world as Clarke's beloved fantasy classic Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. The illustrations are gorgeous as well.

When Merowdis enters the wood she does not know what she is looking for, but she will find it. An enchanting tale of a girl that can speak to animals losing herself within the winter woods, The Wood at Midwinter is a beautifully illustrated short story by Susanna Clarke that will appeal to readers of her other works.

In The Wood at Midwinter Susanna Clarke paints a picture of a strange girl with strange interests taking to the wood: her chapel and her escape. As with all Clarke’s work it is thick with atmosphere and an unsettling kind of comfort, like a storm viewed from the safety of your bedroom. I loved the illustrations and the afterword and, as always, love any bit of her writing I can get my hands on.

Everything about this is enchanting. I could practically smell the fallen winter snow and hear the light footsteps of a woman and her companions treading through the woods. Susanna Clarke can do so much with so few pages. Absolutely wonderful!