Book 1 of His Dark Materials
Knopf Books, 1995
Don’t be put off by the “young adult” classification, or the mediocre film adaptation, The Golden Compass (otherwise entitled “Northern Lights”) has
plenty to offer high fantasy readers of all ages.
Set in the Edwardian England of a parallel universe, the narrative follows a plucky little girl called Lyra, who, with the company of her daemon familiar Pantalaimon, set off on a journey to rescue her friend from the hands of the “Gobblers”. With the help of witches, gyptians, an armoured bear, an alethiometer (the golden compass which gives the book its name) and her own bravery, Lyra must confront the sinister forces of the Oblation Board, and the enigmatic Mrs Coulter. Along the way she encounters more mysteries, such as the identities of her parents, and learns of a strange entity called “Dust”.
Lyra is gorgeously envisioned; she is feisty and fearless at times, yet her character often oscillates between being childishly naive and clever beyond her years. It imbues the novel with a fairytale-like quality, as we see the world from her eyes. Her daemon is her constant companion, her soul made flesh, and Pullman’s descriptions of the bond between human and daemon soon made me wish that I had a daemon too.
Lyra faces difficult and deadly situations, and the themes of the novel are dark and oftentimes disturbing including the mutilation of children (by removing their daemons) and a bear fight which concludes with the victor practically decapitating his enemy.
Parellels have been drawn between Pullman’s work, and the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, the former being called “Narnia for atheists”. There are religious, cultural and political conflicts underlying the story that give the novel a depth beyond young adult readers.
The Golden Compass is a book which, if you enjoyed it as a child, is worth a second read in adulthood. If you have not yet enjoyed Pullman’s His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass is a joyous read, full of wonder and escapism, even with its dark undertones.
8 out of 10 fierce little dragons
Knopf Books, 1995
Don’t be put off by the “young adult” classification, or the mediocre film adaptation, The Golden Compass (otherwise entitled “Northern Lights”) has
plenty to offer high fantasy readers of all ages.
Set in the Edwardian England of a parallel universe, the narrative follows a plucky little girl called Lyra, who, with the company of her daemon familiar Pantalaimon, set off on a journey to rescue her friend from the hands of the “Gobblers”. With the help of witches, gyptians, an armoured bear, an alethiometer (the golden compass which gives the book its name) and her own bravery, Lyra must confront the sinister forces of the Oblation Board, and the enigmatic Mrs Coulter. Along the way she encounters more mysteries, such as the identities of her parents, and learns of a strange entity called “Dust”.
Lyra is gorgeously envisioned; she is feisty and fearless at times, yet her character often oscillates between being childishly naive and clever beyond her years. It imbues the novel with a fairytale-like quality, as we see the world from her eyes. Her daemon is her constant companion, her soul made flesh, and Pullman’s descriptions of the bond between human and daemon soon made me wish that I had a daemon too.
Lyra faces difficult and deadly situations, and the themes of the novel are dark and oftentimes disturbing including the mutilation of children (by removing their daemons) and a bear fight which concludes with the victor practically decapitating his enemy.
Parellels have been drawn between Pullman’s work, and the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, the former being called “Narnia for atheists”. There are religious, cultural and political conflicts underlying the story that give the novel a depth beyond young adult readers.
The Golden Compass is a book which, if you enjoyed it as a child, is worth a second read in adulthood. If you have not yet enjoyed Pullman’s His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass is a joyous read, full of wonder and escapism, even with its dark undertones.
8 out of 10 fierce little dragons
RSS Feed