When I first heard of The Golden Compass I wanted to read it, but held off doing so because I had a lot going on at the time. When I was ready to read it, there was so much buzz about it that I was inundated and put it down yet for a later time when I could pick it up without being influenced too much by that buzz. Then I forgot about it and I think the books are over at one of my sons' houses.
Just recently, I received a review copy of the His Dark Materials Omnibus and got all fired up to read it. I just wish I hadn’t done so right before bedtime. I was so fascinated that I stayed up all night, stayed home the next day and read till it felt my eyes were bleeding. It was that good. Now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long.
The first book in the series is of course The Golden Compass, where Lyra Belaqua and her dæmon, Pantalaimon are first introduced. They live in an alternate Oxford where science, theology, and magic are all very closely aligned and everyone seems to understand it all.
Lyra herself is an incredible character. She’s spunky, brave, smart, and determined as well as being the despair of the college folk who raise her. She lives in Jordan College within Oxford and delights in running wild, organizing great battles with rival children and has such an inordinate curiosity and sense of adventure.
When her Uncle Asriel visits the college she goes a little too far and finds out more than she should. He's there to solicit funds for a return journey to the North, where he has observed strange goings-on, including a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. After he leaves, Lyra finds herself placed in the charge of the mysterious Mrs. Coulter and in possession of a strange and mysterious golden compass that can answer questions if she learns how to read it. Lyra discovers Mrs. Coulter's connection with the dreaded children-stealing Gobblers and runs away, joining a group of gyptians to find the missing kids, in particular, her beloved friend Roger.
This action-packed, highly literary adventure is filled with wonderful things – armored bears who speak, flying witches, secrets and lies, evil, a flying balloon piloted by a wild Texan and one hell of an intricate plot.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!
2 - Jaime
i cant believe that your heart is warmed by the thought of children reading this book. you are obviously not a christian, because if you were then you would be disgusted with these books and the movie. do you not realize that in the end of the books the character that represent adam and eve kill God. philip pullman should be ashamed of him self for trying to make children not believe in God. i guess when the end comes God will be the one to judge him not us. i pray that your heart will see the truth and you will realize that God loves us all and he wants us to do his will not try to destroy him. we will pray for you and phillip pullman.
3 - Gina
I stand by my review. The book is excellent, well thought out, intelligent and highly entertaining. Philip Pullman has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, rather he should be proud that more children are reading because of his books.
My religious affiliation is absolutely none of your business and it's incredibly ignorant to just make blanket assumptions on anything, let alone whether or not someone is a Christian or believes in God. I found your assumptions to be highly offensive.
Your comment has nothing to do with the book or it's quality and everything to do with ignorance. I will pray that you find enlightenment one day.
4 - Catherine
Fascinating. I've been surfing around to see what other bloggers are saying about the series. I've just posted my own review here if you're interested. I'd love feedback!