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La Belle Sauvage - The Book of Dust |
We accompany 11-year old Malcolm on his first intellectual, and subsequently his physical journey. It's over ten years since I read Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and I was immediately drawn back into the fantasy word of daemons and Dust, although I did not relate to Malcolm in the same way I remember doing with Lyra. This story did not have the same level of depth and complexity that I recall, but did explore some dark themes and ideological criticisms.
(Eloise May - bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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Northern Lights |
Having heard so much about this trilogy, which is ostensibly written for older children but has adults equally enthralled, I decided to try it and now I am completely hooked. Beautifully written, set in a parallel and completely believable Universe, it's moving, terrifying, gutsy and full of twists and excitements without a hint of whimsy. I can't recommend it highly enough.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 7 February 2001) |
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Northern Lights |
Lyra is a small wild orphan who lives in Jordan College, in another world Oxford, where she is looked after by the Master, the Staff and the Scholars. She plays with Roger, the kitchen boy, and roams the rooftops and attics. She is a plain and ordinary girl until one afternoon, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, decide to enter the Scholar's meeting room unseen, and on their own. Suddenly, Lyra's life is flipped upside-down.
(Eloise May - bwl 31 September 2005) |
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The Amber Spyglass |
(Volume III of His Dark Materials trilogy)
If you've read the first two volumes of this trilogy (see bwl 7), you won't need any encouragement to read the third. I found these books thought-provoking and extremely challenging and, as with Harry Potter, definitely not just for the children. In following the adventures of Lyra and Will, the reader is faced with all sorts of fundamental and often uncomfortable questions about life, death and religion. These books deservedly have already become classics. They are dazzling.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 8 April 2001) |
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The Amber Spyglass |
I really enjoyed the Amber Spyglass and I think it is a good read for both children and adults. The story is thorough and interesting as Will and Lyra continue their journey through the different worlds, encountering many strange beings. They discover a lot more about life than anyone has ever done before. They end up stuck with a hard decision and an almost impossible task. What will happen? . . .
(Eloise May - bwl 32 November 2005) |
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The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ |
Ever since Northern Lights, Pullman has invited controversy, and his latest novel appears to do just that. Written as part of the Canongate "Myths" series, Pullman rewrites the life of Christ. Or does he? In some ways, I was rather disappointed with Pullman's version - though this may be his writing style - intensely pragmatic - but it did provide interesting ideas and an ending as ambiguous and tantalising as that of the original. Worth a try.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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The Secret Commonwealth: Volume 2 of The Book of Dust |
We fast forward 20 years to find Lara now in Oxford, the bond with her daemon is broken and she is drawn into a complex world which takes her across Europe and into Asia to search for a haunted city, a secret at the heart of the desert and the mystery of Dust. Be warned, it ends on a cliffhanger. Now we must wait for volume three. If you've never read Pullman his Dark Materials books might be the perfect answer to lock-down.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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The Subtle Knife |
This second volume continues the story of Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon only this time the action moves between three Universes. A new character is introduced, Will, who is searching for his explorer father. His quest interweaves with that of Lyra's and the book, like the first, ends on a knife edge making it imperative to go onto Volume III. Watch this space!
(Jenny Baker - bwl 7 February 2001) |
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