The most perfect story for a dark winter solstice. As in her other books, in this short audio feature Clarke interweaves literary inspirations - in this case the inspiration comes from the lyrics of Kate Bush - with familiar literary narratives to create an entirely new story full of magic and an almost child-like "sense of wonder"; the forest that is not a setting but a character, the animals that speak their own language and are still understood, the girl, who has always been interested in things that others do not find interesting and creates her very own lore. The writing style - superb. I cried because it was so beautiful.
I am sure I will find new litte thematic bits and references in this story upon re-reads. The audiobook is nicely produced, the music fitting - all in all, it puts you in a contemplative mood, perfect for this time of the year.

This book, like others of Susanna’s, is magical.
It’s mysterious, it’s gentle, it trusts its audience’s intellect and it develops its magic/fantastical elements slowly and gently. The descriptions of the woods are so tangible and I loved finishing and thinking over what had happened in the previous 50 pages. It’s perfectly strange and mystical and makes total sense for Christmas.

As an audiobook the production value is so high. The soundscapes are a perfect way of accentuating Susanna’s words and the fact that it’s read by her herself is wonderful.

Merowdis Scott is a peculiar 19-year-old with strange habits. Talking to animals, trees and all things possibly living, she meanders through the woods. On one such stroll, she encounters a mysterious being that changes her life!

A really short story, but good enough to immerse you in Susanna Clarke's world. The story is enchanting & well-suited for this season, especially if you seek a magical escape. Tropes you can expect here:
• Enchanted Forest
• Christmas charm
• Animal companionship
• Coming of Age

I was listening to the audiobook version of this story & must say it was narrated superbly. Towards the end, the author also shares a few additional details, related to the writing process & thoughts encountered - which felt like a special touch.

This was a lovely little book with a great wintery atmosphere for the Christmas season. The production was fantastic with sound effects and music. Though the story was short and felt like there was more left to say at the end, it really reflected the feeling of a dark Christmas tale, such as stories like The Fire Tree or A Christmas Carol.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story, I just wish there was a slightly longer story to enjoy the characters more, and to understand the consequences of the ending of the story.

Like all things Susanna Clarke, this book features exquisite writing from a talented author. As with many of her works, you are never quite sure if you are in this world or another, as she masterfully creates mystery and magic that are absolutely captivating.

This would have benefitted from another fifty pages to fully flush out this short story. It felt like a concept of an idea that could have been really interesting.

Most of the book was the Afterward from the author explaining things.

Disappointing.

Thank you to Netgalley, Author Susanna Clarke and Bloomsbury UK Audio for providing me with a copy of this work.

The wood at midwinter was short, but also right to the point. Not all characters were introduced into the story, but they still had their meaning and place without the reader feeling confused and missing parts of the story. Personally, it took some time for me to understand what was happening, especially as I was listening to the audiobook and did not have the visuals that physical book readers had access to, but the afterwords at the end put it all together for me and made it a sweet experience.

Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.

Merowdis Scott isn't like her peers. She isn't like anyone she has ever met before really. She makes friends with the spiders in her bedroom and feels most at home walking through the woods on her own. Those who don't know her think her odd and those who love her fear for her safety but Merowdis has no fears and only one wish.

I was immediately immersed in this atmospheric short story. The setting, the tone, and the protagonist all gave this the vibes of the perfect Christmas Eve story. The ending, however, felt blunt and gave no proper conclusion to the events that occurred.

The author's afterward did explain why this was her intent when writing this, given the subject matter and the saintlike qualities of the central character, and it did make me like this story more. I can see it being one I often revisit, for its sweet nature and short page length, but not a favourite by this author.

I also think the audiobook is the perfect way to consume this story as there were subtle added background noises, which added to the ambience of the story and the author herself narrated it.

The short story of Meredis and her interactions with speaking (well, to her!) animals and trees in the forest felt like an old fashioned fairy tale told and retold over the decades and centuries rather than a newly written book. It was atmospheric, magical and eerie.

I did think it felt a bit short and ended a bit abruptly, but overall I enjoyed it!

I was lucky enough to be given an advance copy of the audiobook. How lucky to hear it performed by Clarke herself. It is very short but loved it and definitely got me more interested in reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel.
There is also an afterword that includes some notes about one of my favourite reads this year, “Piranesi”. Excited about what else she writes in the future!!

I downloaded this short story from NetGalley knowing almost nothing about it - only that one of my tutors on my MA had kept on telling me I would probably like Susanna Clarke's work.

What a delight it was. I really liked the slightly off-beam view of the world that the main character Merowdis has, and her awareness that she *is* slightly off-beam. In her afterword, Clarke suggests that in our world we would probably think of her has neurodivergent.

Listening to this has made me want to dive into Jonathan Norrell now. I'm really glad that my former tutor pointed this writer out to me and that this short story provided a way to experience her work without fully committing to a whole novel.

As is often the way, Fantasy is one of my most infrequently read genres, and I don't like a lot of things within it, but the things I do like I absolutely love. The Wood at Midwinter, and particularly the main character definitely is one of those rare things.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me download this audioARC and to Susanna Clarke for writing (and narrating) this wonderful seasonal tale.

Three Word Review: Sainthood is difficult.

This is an intriguing short story that nonetheless didn’t give me quite enough to chew on—an Afterward by Clark is included, and some of the inspiration she talks about is interesting but I didn’t feel had substantially made it’s way into the story. She suggests that it was written for radio production, which is evident in the occasional sound effect, and that isn’t really my thing (I prefer straightforward narration without additional sounds) but I can see how that might enhance the experience for some.

Susanna Clarke is excellent at setting time and place and from the start, this very short audio story was clearly set in Victorian times. Two sisters are travelling in a chaise with dogs and a pet pig and there are very light background sounds indicating movement and woodland sounds. One of the sisters talks to animals and trees and this is the nub of the tale; it’s mystical and imaginative and allows the listener to use imagination.

I was less keen on the author narration which was adequate but, for me, the voice wasn’t quite right. I found the narration distracting and it broke some of the magic of the story because it was rather flat and monotonous.

I haven’t read any of Susanna Clarke’s books before, so I was excited to get a copy of the audiobook The Wood at Midwinter to review.

This is a beautiful festive short story. It begins with two sisters Isolde and nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scott on a carriage ride into the woods. Merowdis disembarks and goes for a walk in the wood with her dogs Pretty and Amandier and her pet pig Apple.

Merowdis is an unusual young woman as she can commune with her pets, animals and the trees. She visits the woods regularly as this is the place she is happiest and where she can think and talk about things playing on her mind. Whilst in the woods she meets a fox and a blackbird and a mysterious stranger.

This is a beautiful Christmas Victorian fairytale that adults and older children can read and listen to and enjoy. (NB: I’ve since seen a copy of the actual book which looks to be stunningly illustrated and would make a beautiful Christmas present.)

The audiobook is ably narrated by Susanna Clarke. It also has sound effects of the wood as well as a beautiful score running through it which really adds atmosphere to the story.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bloomsbury UK Audio, for making this e-audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This story felt like stepping into a dream. Short, so incredibly short, but full of depth. The imagery was so vivid: I could see the woods alive with creatures and the two dogs with their distinct personalities. But Merowdis remained unclear, like a shadow, and I think that was on purpose.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author. Hearing her tell the story added something special, but the background music was distracting. Without it, I think the narration would have felt more focused and powerful.

I think it's the afterword that really made the difference for me. The way the author connected her stories to others, especially Borges, made it even more interesting. As an Argentinean, Borges is someone I studied in school, like English speakers study Dickens or Shakespeare. It was a pleasant surprise to hear him mentioned. It also made me want to finally read Piranesi, which has been sitting on my TBR for far too long.

This story is the kind of tale that makes you curious and draws you toward it. It’s amazing how something so small can spark so much.

Now, I feel like listening to Kate Bush

I loved listening to the audio book and this was a magical story, perfect for the time of year. I liked the experience of listening to a story, and found it was an enjoyable way to spend my commute to the office. It was actually my first audio book, but I don’t think it will be my last. Alongside the story I really enjoyed listening to the commentary from the author which gave the story some context. I enjoy anything by Susanna Clarke and this was another captivating story.

I don’t know how to review this. I knew it was a short story but dang, I blinked and it was over. It’s a short, Christian Christmas story. Clarke writes beautifully and with meaning, but it was too short for me to have an opinion on it, to be honest.

The little surprise at the end (an afterword about Piranesi) was a 10/10 to read.

If you're looking for a short, sweet and slightly eerie read set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell, look no further. This reads like one of the extended footnotes from that book but is a complete fairy story or saint tale in it's own right. It's lovely and cold. The perfect read in one sitting choice for a winter night.

Thanks to NetGalley UK and Bloomsbury UK Audio for the Audio ARC!

As a recent first-time reader of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, I was very interested to learn of Susanna Clarke's new book. And especially intrigued by how totally different it obviously was: from outward appearances, more of a bedtime story than a magnum opus. However, The Wood at Midwinter quickly showed itself to be just as magical as Messrs Strange & Norrell, and just as sharply mysterious as Piranesi, to boot. A must read for any fan of magical literature.

While I enjoy Susanna's Clarke, I'm somewhat saddened to say I was not impressed by this short story. Felt a bit stiff, a bit abrupt.. Maybe I just think that author excels at novels?
I don't know, but it wasn't for me at all unfortunately.