I can only presume that this is a piece of writing which is designed to be supported by illustrations. As an audio version, it makes little sense. i realise that it is written with the younger generation in mind. Maybe the audio is best used as a support for readers alongside the book. As an audio version alone, I cannot recommend it as it makes little sense.

I'm sorry, I just didn't *get* it - maybe something better suited to the physical edition with additional illustrations? The author did a great job narrating but just I don't know I'm a bit lost!

Small story, but absolutely marvellous. Don't give it a miss!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

This book was not for me.
I did not enjoy it, there was no plot or I didn't get it.
I think the narrator was alright, but I'm not sure because I didn't like the story.

The Wood at Midwinter is a beautifully atmospheric novella that weaves quiet magic with reflective storytelling. The prose feels both elegant and approachable, immersing you in its wintry world and subtle mysteries. Ideal for those who appreciate nuanced, contemplative fiction with a touch of fantasy.

I did not enjoy this book at all, and I genuinely do not know what I even read. There seemed to be no plot or reason for anything, and I found it terribly confusing to track despite its short length. It's entirely forgettable and not something I'll ever re-read.

A whimsical short story that blends quiet magic, with a touch of eerie wonder. Set in a snow-covered winter woodland, it feels like stepping into a peaceful, otherworldly dream. Clarke’s writing beautifully captures the connection between humans and nature, with subtle emotion woven throughout. The character animals are a particular delight—especially Apple the pig, who brings warmth and charm.

Personally I feel it could have been slightly longer - A short but memorable listen, ideal for a winter’s evening when you want something calm, thoughtful, and a little magical.

Short and sweet and, in audiobook format, very atmospheric with the music and sound effects. Clarke's writing is always lovely and really conjures up a world. That said, I would like to have stayed in that world longer, but I suppose those are the limitations of the short story.

I did appreciate the author's note at the end which explained the inspiration for the story. It gave me a bit of insight into how it came about and made me think deeper about it.

A magical winter walk! Susanna Clark once again manages to create a heartfelt, imaginative story full of wonders and love for life itself. A totally different and yet befitting Christmas tale that connects humans back to nature. There remains a bit of a spooky note though, so it is not a typical feelgood story, but nonetheless the reader is left with a sense of deep love and connectedness.
I also really enjoyed the informations in the afterword!

I would have liked this to have been longer - it finished quite abruptly just as I was getting into the story. I still enjoyed the lovely writing though and the afterword was fascinating.

This is a strange and magical short story set around winter. Overall, I think it was a little too short to really get invested, but it was very atmospheric, and the pictures were nice!

I’ve loved Susanna Clarke’s writing ever since Piranesi, so I got excited when I saw she had a new short story out - especially one where animals and nature play such a central role.

"The Wood at Midwinter" is definitely atmospheric. The writing has that same lyrical feel I’ve come to expect from her, and the audiobook production was really lovely. The author narrates it herself, which was nice enough, but what stood out more was the sound production/design - it really felt like you were walking through the woods.

That said, I didn’t actually enjoy the book itself all that much. The writing was pretty, but I just wanted more from it. Maybe it’s the limitations of the short story format, or maybe it just wasn’t quite for me. I also think this might work better in print, especially since it’s meant to be illustrated - something definitely felt like it was missing in audio.

Still, if you’re a fan of Clarke’s writing, it might be worth giving a go. It just didn’t hit quite the way I hoped it would.

3/5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Very short story, the audiobook was lovely with music and sound effects that made it very atmospheric. However I was a little confused by the story... I liked the pig named Apple a lot!! And yes, we do need more pigs in stories!

I think I could have really enjoyed this, but it was just a bit too short for me. The audiobook narrator is great though.

I really enjoyed the music and sound effects. However I was a little confused by the story, probably something I need to re-listen to!

3 stars ✮
beautifully atmospheric, however way too short to be truly impactful, sadly this didn’t do much for me.
i found. Self getting super interested into the story closer to the end and in a few short minutes it was over. i adore short stories but i feel like this particular one needed to be a bit longer to really reach 5 stars.

Having read and enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell I suspected that this would be a tale out of the ordinary and with a touch of magic. I was not wrong.

I enjoyed the short story and also the bonus information by the author about the background for creating the story, in part supported by a love of the music of Kate Bush.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK Audio for this copy.

I really enjoyed this short story although I definitely read it at the wrong time of year. I’m a big fan of Susanna Clarke and I am always impressed that she can make such an impact with her stories no matter the size. I look forward to revisiting The Wood at Midwinter during the darker months.

That was a whimsical tale. Truly short and festive. I could see listening to this every year with your children as a Christmas tradition. The score was truly magical, and I loved hearing the inspiration to the story. Thank You Netgalley, Susanna Clarke and Bloombury UK Audio for the ALC.

This book includes:
- theological reflection
- whimsical storytelling
- author narration
- winter wonderland

This short story is such a lovely, whimsical little tale. It follows a woman who is luxuriating in a quiet winter wood with her animals, reflecting on her life and hopes for her futures. It contains Christian themes, particularly centering on Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. This is my first book from Susanna Clarke and I am looking forward to reading more.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Susanna Clarke, and Bloomsbury UK Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
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