The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1)

by Philip Pullman

book data

52,076 ratings, 3.95 average rating, 4,594 reviews (more data...)

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2		6%
1		3%

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published

April 16th 1996 (first published 1995) by Knopf Books for Young Readers

binding

Hardcover, 399 pages

characters

Lyra, Pantalaimon, Lord Asriel, Iorek Byrnison, ...more

isbn

0679879242 (isbn13: 9780679879244)

description

Some books improve with age--the age of the reader, that is. Such is certainly the case with Philip Pullman's heroic, at times heart-wrenching novel, ...more

[close] Some books improve with age--the age of the reader, that is. Such is certainly the case with Philip Pullman's heroic, at times heart-wrenching novel, The Golden Compass, a story ostensibly for children but one perhaps even better appreciated by adults. The protagonist of this complex fantasy is young Lyra Belacqua, a precocious orphan growing up within the precincts of Oxford University. But it quickly becomes clear that Lyra's Oxford is not precisely like our own--nor is her world. For one thing, people there each have a personal dæmon, the manifestation of their soul in animal form. For another, hers is a universe in which science, theology, and magic are closely allied:

"As for what experimental theology was, Lyra had no more idea than the urchins. She had formed the notion that it was concerned with magic, with the movements of the stars and planets, with tiny particles of matter, but that was guesswork, really. Probably the stars had dæmons just as humans did, and experimental theology involved talking to them."

Not that Lyra spends much time worrying about it; what she likes best is "clambering over the College roofs with Roger the kitchen boy who was her particular friend, to spit plum stones on the heads of passing Scholars or to hoot like owls outside a window where a tutorial was going on, or racing through the narrow streets, or stealing apples from the market, or waging war." But Lyra's carefree existence changes forever when she and her dæmon, Pantalaimon, first prevent an assassination attempt against her uncle, the powerful Lord Asriel, and then overhear a secret discussion about a mysterious entity known as Dust. Soon she and Pan are swept up in a dangerous game involving disappearing children, a beautiful woman with a golden monkey dæmon, a trip to the far north, and a set of allies ranging from "gyptians" to witches to an armor-clad polar bear.

In The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman has written a masterpiece that transcends genre. It is a children's book that will appeal to adults, a fantasy novel that will charm even the most hardened realist. Best of all, the author doesn't speak down to his audience, nor does he pull his punches; there is genuine terror in this book, and heartbreak, betrayal, and loss. There is also love, loyalty, and an abiding morality that infuses the story but never overwhelms it. This is one of those rare novels that one wishes would never end. Fortunately, its sequel, The Subtle Knife, will help put off that inevitability for a while longer. --Alix Wilber [close]

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01/10/08

Abigail rated it:

bookshelves: childrens-fantasy, childrens-fiction

Read in January, 1996

recommends it for: Anyone Who Reads...and Likes to Think

In his Carnegie Medal Acceptance Speech, given in 1996, Philip Pullman contends that "There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book." His subsequent remarks about the importance of story, its centrality to both children's and adult literature, will be most welcome to anyone who grows tired of the sort of "literary armageddon" that certain critics, ala Harold Bloom, envision when faced with the ad...more In his Carnegie Medal Acceptance Speech, given in 1996, Philip Pullman contends that "There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book." His subsequent remarks about the importance of story, its centrality to both children's and adult literature, will be most welcome to anyone who grows tired of the sort of "literary armageddon" that certain critics, ala Harold Bloom, envision when faced with the adult consumption of children's books.

These are exactly the sort of bold words one would expect from the author of His Dark Materials, a juvenile fantasy trilogy inspired in part by the works of Milton and Blake, and which takes up the cause of challenging certain long-entrenched theological and religious beliefs; among them the perfection and immortality of god, the justice of religious authority, the concept of original sin, and the role of free will.

The Golden Compass is the first book in Pullman's trilogy, and opens in Oxford, in a "universe like ours, but different in many ways." It follows the adventures of a young girl named Lyra, who, together with her daemon Pantalaimon, finds herself swept up in an extraordinary adventure, the consequences of which will be more far-reaching than anything she ever could have imagined.

With a sinister and all-powerful church, known as the Magisterium; a mystery involving kidnapped children and the terrible rumors as to their fate; a sea voyage to the far north; a fascinating cast of characters including gyptians, armoured bears, and Siberian witches; this book offers more than enough narrative excitement to keep any reader enthralled. The theological and philosophical controversies of Lyra's world provide a fascinating undercurrent to the story, particularly the concept of dust - a mysterious substance with great significance for the future of individual people, individual worlds, and the general universe....

This is my third time reading The Golden Compass, which I first encountered when I was given an advance reading copy of it back in 1996. I have found each reading to be an incredibly rich and rewarding experience, and have been struck by different aspects of the story every time. As there are over 1,000 reviews for this title, I will avoid any more general summary, and focus on some of my specific observations this time around.

First, this work always reminds me of the fact that adults too frequently undervalue the intellectual capability of children, their curiosity about and ability to grasp complex ideas and realities. Given that Pullman explicitly makes this point, when writing of Lyra's desire to learn about Dust, I find it ironic how often adult reviewers of this series will speak of its sophistication as somehow astonishing, "in a children's book." I must conclude that they have either failed to grasp this key point, or are seeking to assuage their own insecurities.

Pullman's books have stirred up quite a bit of controversy, due to their sharp criticism of orthodox theology and religious institutions. While I do not find his arguments arbitrary or unfounded, I had to chuckle when I realized that much of what is considered "theology" in Lyra's world would be considered science in our own. Is Pullman being ironic, or is he intentionally implying that scientific institutions are as susceptible to corruption as religious ones?

Finally, I consider Pullman's conception of the "daemon" to be a stroke of pure genius! The physicality of the soul in this world provides an extended, and very useful, metaphor for examining the human soul. It also allows the reader to truly witness the horror of spiritual violence, in a way impossible under any other circumstance. The complicated relationships between people and daemons, both their own and others, and between the daemons themselves, gave me much to ponder, this time around. (less)

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12/13/07

Bright rated it:

bookshelves: digested

Read in January, 2003

recommends it for: everyone

the golden compass trilogy seems like a natural progression in christian literature. yes, it is christian literature, the same way the chronicles of narnia are. aslan is only a lion when the reader is about 10 or so in the united states. after a point, he unrepentantly becomes jesus. and the four children are like, the gospels or something. and the story is somewhat ruined then, because as an adult, you can't just shoehorn jesus into a lion outfit without snickering a little.

pullman ...more the golden compass trilogy seems like a natural progression in christian literature. yes, it is christian literature, the same way the chronicles of narnia are. aslan is only a lion when the reader is about 10 or so in the united states. after a point, he unrepentantly becomes jesus. and the four children are like, the gospels or something. and the story is somewhat ruined then, because as an adult, you can't just shoehorn jesus into a lion outfit without snickering a little.

pullman however, has solved this problem. i can't continue without utterly spoiling the story for everyone who hasn't read it, so consider yourselves warned...

he made jesus into a little girl. even better, he made jesus into a little girl who doesn't even know she's jesus. now how's that for a new twist on the new testament? the part that's particularly brilliant about it, is that it actually worked. lyra is never really anything like christ... she just follows the path of his narrative. first, she has the absent father. lord asrael is desperately involved in his own ideas, so though he's not actually in heaven, he may as well be.

wait a sec, isn't this just dogma again? sort of, except dogma is really more relevant to catholicism in particular, rather than scriptures. and instead of linda fiorentino who is kind of a mopey christ, we get a 10 year old girl. 10 year old girls are the best focal point for any story. i've been one for years.

and this is a perfect choice, because she really never takes time to mope. she doesn't miss her faith or wrestle with it... she doesn't believe at all. and therein lies the genius of pullman's work, that has all the christians in a snit; she's also the antichrist.

why would he do that?

because the bible does. if you really take a look at the word antichrist, it does not mean "evil". khristos, from which christ is derived, means "anointed". so what does antichrist really mean? unanointed, or that which is against the anointed. there's a bunch of baggage on top of that meaning, which is how we got those omen movies, but at the heart of it, it just means smeared with fat. actually, it means recognized by the divine... but in ancient times, we did that by smearing the recognized thing with the fat of a sacrificed animal or person. and that, is why we celebrate the crucifixion. it was the point of christ's birth. as if it wasn't obvious enough, it's why he's referred to as the lamb.

wow. so this is heavy... pullman has gone all the way back to the origins of the judeo-christian faith and said, this important guy, was just the carrier of this magical stuff that we're obsessed with, that we don't even use anymore. it's like we're infected or poisoned by this idea. we need an antidote. we need an antichrist, to show us how far we've wandered from the truth, which had nothing to do with trooping along after some guy.

and this explains why christians are so antagonized by the books. they've been following the beast for years without recognizing it. the golden compass referred to in the book, is the bible we've all forgotten how to read. and in its stead, we've rallied around the church which claims to help us understand the symbols. but in reality, it is the beast referred to. the one which rose from rome, with many heads that change over time. so what really, is the golden compass about? it's about how to be human again. how to regain an understanding of the world, that doesn't rely on our fragile expectations for good and evil. all it requires, is that you give up everything, in order to discover what is important again. and i don't know how christians could have missed that primary message. (less)

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11/04/07

Darren rated it:

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: Though billed as a children's book, I dug it, and I'm a 38 year old dude; good for fans of fantasy

The story in brief: The book is a fantasy novel set in a strangely familiar pseudo-Victorian/steampunk parallel Earth. The protagonist is a young ophaned girl who's been raised at Oxford by the attending scholars. The story concerns kidnapped children, hidden mysteries of the Church, wandering gypsies, proud Arctic warrior bears, long-lived flying witches, and the possibility of a rift that could exist between different worlds.

Daemons: Each human being in this world has a constant ...more The story in brief: The book is a fantasy novel set in a strangely familiar pseudo-Victorian/steampunk parallel Earth. The protagonist is a young ophaned girl who's been raised at Oxford by the attending scholars. The story concerns kidnapped children, hidden mysteries of the Church, wandering gypsies, proud Arctic warrior bears, long-lived flying witches, and the possibility of a rift that could exist between different worlds.

Daemons: Each human being in this world has a constant animal companion, called a daemon, which is a separate living being, but more or less an external projection of their emotions and their soul. Before puberty, a daemon is able to change shape at will, but as you grow older, it takes a fixed form, usually opposite to your gender. The bond between human and daemon is incredibly intimate and if harm should befall one, the other will surely suffer and eventually die.

Other races in the world have unique expressions of their soul: The Tartars that live in the Arctic seem to favor wolf daemons, and they also engage in trepanation, so that they may hear the "Voice of God". The panserbjørne, a race of noble, sentient polar bears with opposable thumbs, create their souls in the form of armor, which they craft from star-iron (meteorite). The witches of the North live the equivalent of several lifetimes, and although they favor avian daemons, they can be physically parted from them and not feel the pain of the distance. They sometimes use their daemons as agents.

Themes: The themes that jumped out at me are questions of truth and deception, as well as what is the value and nature of the soul. Lyra has in her possession the ultimate tool for questioning the universe, a symbol reader (which is never referred to as a 'golden compass' btw) that universally answers her questions. Despite that, she's a person that lies almost reflexively to achieve her goals and try to control the behavior of people.

As for the nature of the soul, we see the Church has a very distinct view of original sin, and an agenda they are actively pursuing. We're given a retrospect of several cultures (see Daemons above) and how each of them views the concept of their spirit, and especially with the witches, the cost of living too long.

Assessment: One character that did a great job of entertaining me while simultaneously bugging the shit out of me is Lord Asriel. He's seen as haughty, even in the beginning, but there's something about this guy that you want to like. My problem with him is that he seems to act like he thinks he's the protagonist of the novel, and what's more, when he actually runs into the protagonist again, later in the book, he dismisses her. I haven't read Books 2 and 3 yet, so I don't know what's ahead for Lord Asriel, but I know that I want to punch him in his self-righteous, it's all about me, junk with a roll of quarters. I expect they'll probably try and make him a little more pleasant in the film, but I don't know.

About the Author: Phillip Pullman is one of England's most outspoken atheists, a supporter of the British Humanist Association and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society.

Frankly, I didn't see much of the anti-Church stuff until near the last section of the book, but when you do come across it, it's pretty clearly defined. Being an atheist myself, I don't have a problem with any of it since he uses real world examples (such as the castrati) to argue his reasons, and lots of "enfs justifying the means". I have to say though that if Lord Asriel is Pullman's Promethean voice of reason against the Church, he certainly has plenty of blood on his own hands, and he weakens his argument by making him a prick.(less)

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01/15/08

Seth rated it:

bookshelves: fantasy, young-adult

Read in January, 2008

Although it's 3 physical books for publishing reasons, His Dark Materials (HDM)is one continuous story (well... see below), so I'm reviewing the whole set. It isn't useful to review one part alone.

HDM is a decent read with many great elements. On Orson Scott Card's "MICE" scale--Milieu, Idea, Character, and Event--it's mostly a Milieu story, so expect a tour of the world(s), focusing on the strangeness therein and the history thereof. It's a great setting with many fabulous...more

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08/24/07

Lena rated it:

Read in September, 2007

recommends it for: people who like trilogies

[Note: After I wrote this review (below) I was emailed by many people that my interpretation is WAY off. Everyone tells me that in the 2nd and 3rd books, the author's purpose in writing is to increasingly "kill God in the minds of children." I haven't read those other books so I can't confirm or deny that theme. But Snopes confirms what people have told me. Read the article at http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/...

I get annoyed by authors who set out with the ...more [Note: After I wrote this review (below) I was emailed by many people that my interpretation is WAY off. Everyone tells me that in the 2nd and 3rd books, the author's purpose in writing is to increasingly "kill God in the minds of children." I haven't read those other books so I can't confirm or deny that theme. But Snopes confirms what people have told me. Read the article at http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/...

I get annoyed by authors who set out with the goal of writing trilogies, because it usually ends up that each book of the series can not stand alone. I'm not saying that trilogies are bad per se, as long as each book has a conclusion and is so good that it has to be followed by another book. In that case, each book is an individual work that does not need to rely on the other books to prop it up. Plus I question whether or not the author is just writing a trilogy so he can get you to pay him for 3 books rather than one. But TGC #1 was written from the beginning as a trilogy, and unfortunately the first book has no conclusion which resolves the plot. It ends with the drama that begins the next book (more $$ for the author?).

Now about the Golden Compass itself...It was so-so. Honestly I wasn't really that interested in the story. It seems like just a re-hash of other fantasy type books. It's set in sort of modern England, only it's not because there is a medieval type church that rules over it. And every human has a Daemon, which is not an "evil spirit" but actually an animal that is connected with the person. Later on it is revealed that the Daemon is actually a physical embodiment of the person's soul.

Since the book was not that exciting, I entertained myself with trying to figure out all the symbolism. Of course, other people totally disagree with my interpretations. One person wrote that this book is "the atheist's version of the Chronicles of Narnia." My first impression seems this book is about spirituality and the symbols of Christianity. In fact, in the end of the book, one of the main characters, Lord Azriel, basically spells it out that he is trying to free human-kind from the effects of sin which, in this book, is caused by "dust" (a main component of the book). He's also trying to find a pathway to another "universe in the sky". And shoot, he even reads out of the Bible, the verse about original sin and Adam and Eve. The Magisterium (the church) represents The Law (that is, the Law that God created to make humankind aware of sin). It also represents humankind's attempt to "save themselves" through religiosity, versus being saved through spirituality. Lord Azriel tries to save humanity by getting rid of "sin", i.e., getting rid of Dust. He also tries to go directly to the other universe in the sky (heaven) by bridging the gap himself. Mrs. Coulter tries to save humanity by cutting the Daemons (their souls) away from humans while they are still children (and innocent, sinless people). If she can keep people from becoming sinful, they they won't have to die because of sin (she mistakenly thinks). But actually, her attempt at saving humanity is seen as so degenerate that she has to hide what she's doing.

Okay, I know it sounds like I am reading a lot into this book, but if you read it, you will see that I'm not. These symbols are basically all spelled out for you. It's their meaning or purpose that is for everyone to really try to figure out.

Anyway, I don't think this book is very interesting, and I will not be reading the next book. (less)

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02/24/08

Xue Yun rated it:

bookshelves: 9th-grade

Read in March, 2008

The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman
Alfred A. Knopf, 1995, 399 pp.,$20.00
IBN 978-0-679-87924-4

Unknown, unconsciousness, witchcraft, faith, destiny and betrayal-anyone want a ride? Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, the first book in his trilogy, His Black Materials, is everlasting. Imagine you’re living in a college where everywhere you go is filled with books, books, and more books. Of course you would be bored, thirsting for some kind of adventure. If you a...more The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman
Alfred A. Knopf, 1995, 399 pp.,$20.00
IBN 978-0-679-87924-4

Unknown, unconsciousness, witchcraft, faith, destiny and betrayal-anyone want a ride? Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, the first book in his trilogy, His Black Materials, is everlasting. Imagine you’re living in a college where everywhere you go is filled with books, books, and more books. Of course you would be bored, thirsting for some kind of adventure. If you are Lyra and someone just inform you about dust, aurora, danger, and tricky witches, you are not going to just sit there and get burry in banal with books acting like dirt.

A curious girl like Lyra would never thought that her curious self would bring her the adventure of her life. Wandering around, discovering that someone is trying to kill her uncle, saving him, trusting him, nagging around led to her to a warm hearted elegant wise yet funky caretaker. Who is that women? Is she really a caretaker? During that time, imagine being worried about a hand reaching out and grabbing you when you are walking outside in the dark, a lot of mothers are weeping because their children are missing. Who the witch that every household is talking about? Would Lyria succeed in finding the witch and free all the children from her? Or would she be terrorized from awaiting thrashing attacks from the inner heart?

Magically through out the book, Lyria is either the follower or the leader. When the book first started she admires her uncle but as the story goes on, things gets a little dirty. Lyria for the first time is frustrated, anguished, heart-acing and broken in to thousands of tiny pieces.

I like the way how the author sets the reader up with leading events however I dislike how the author just ends the book with a cliff-hanger! At the end Lyria has just started to build her knowledge of magic and her relationship with Pantalaimon, her daemon, just became so close. Through out the book it shows how Pantalaimon can affect Lyria’s emotions and thoughts and how a person can not live with out their daemon just like the daemons can not live without their master, or simply, their friend.

This book is for anyone that felt that they did not have enough adventure and want series of rollercoaster rides. People, don’t forget to run and grab a copy of this book.
(less)

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08/11/07

Peter added it (review of isbn 0440418321)

bookshelves: tutoring

Read in August, 2007

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman, picks up where the Harry Potter series leaves off. As in Rowling's series, the hero of The Golden Compass--Lyra, a pre-teen girl in Oxford, England--is plucked from her mundane existence to become supremely important to the fate of the living world.

However, unlike the Potter series, The Golden Compass, immerses us immediately in political, religious, and cultural conflict as well. While the central character is indeed a child, which lands th...more

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01/25/08

Ruth rated it:

bookshelves: fiction

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: Parents should read first

Okay. I know there is a huge controversy about this book in the Christian community. I think I have received a forward about this book/movie from about 10 different people, warning about the athiest undertones and asking people to boycott the movie. Of course, curiosity got the better of me and I had to see if it was really up to all the hype.

The Golden Compass is the first of three books in the trilogy titled His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. In case any of you are going to read...more Okay. I know there is a huge controversy about this book in the Christian community. I think I have received a forward about this book/movie from about 10 different people, warning about the athiest undertones and asking people to boycott the movie. Of course, curiosity got the better of me and I had to see if it was really up to all the hype.

The Golden Compass is the first of three books in the trilogy titled His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. In case any of you are going to read it or see the movie, I am going to try not to spoil too much of the plot.

The story is actually quite fascinating, and it is very enjoyable reading. It centers around a girl named Lyra who is 11 or 12 years old. She has been orphaned and is living in Oxford being raised by scholars in a college there. Her life is turned upside down when political and religious forces begin to clash and children start being kidnapped across the country. She gets caught up in a mission that includes trying to rescue these children who have been taken to the arctic for unknown but supposedly dark purposes, as well as trying to solve a mystery about newly discovered elementary particles and rumors of a gateway to another universe.

My favorite part of the book was one of the author's inventions. In this story, humans each have what is called a daemon. Basically, a daemon is an animal rendering of a part of your soul. It is like a pet that is with you always - you talk to it as if you were talking to yourself, you feel each other's pain, if one of you dies the other dies with it. Daemons can only travel a few yards away from their humans, and if you are forced apart somehow you will either die or live a half-life, a soulless existence. His descriptions of the bond between Lyra and her daemon are so rich, that when they are threatened you really feel their desperation - I was brought to tears a couple of times.

As for the athiesm, this is the first book and it really didn't talk much about any sort of god in his version of the universe - whether there was one or not, or of his character. It did talk about the religious organization of the story, the Magistrate, which appears to be a version of the Catholic church that has gained power over political and governmental functions. And in the story the Magistrate is behind some very taboo goings-on. So there you go. The book is obviously secular but I didn't feel that it blatantly attacked Christian theology. Power-hungry religious organizations, yes. But actual theology, not yet.

This is a children's book, but I'm not sure how appropriate it is for kids under 12. There are battles and darkness. There are ghouls and witches. There is also a LOT of moral ambiguity. You don't know who is good and who is bad, or who is on the right side most of the time. There is a lot of lying and tricking as a survival tactic. It seems that nearly everyone in the book is a bad guy in some way or other and you have to hope that his or her goodness outweighs the badness. There are few trustworthy adults. There are scenes in the book that are heartwrenching. It is pretty heavy material.

I would recommend the book if you enjoy big, epic stories and don't mind a little creepiness. Pullman really is a good storyteller and the book is full of plot and emotion. It's really hard to put down. I'm planning on reading the next two books and I will update when I do. As for the whole "killing god" motive on the author's behalf? We shall see.

(less)

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05/17/07

Bill rated it:

bookshelves: novels

Read in January, 2004

recommends it for: Nonbelieving Narnia fans

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has acquired the reputation of being a sort of Narnia for Atheists. This reputation is, at least by the end of The Golden Compass, largely unearned. Though the religious beliefs depicted in Pullman's fantasy universe throw their real-world parallels into an interesting light, there is nothing that compares to the explicitly Christian message in C.S. Lewis' classic children's books.

His Dark Materials is set in the Edwardian England of a para...more Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has acquired the reputation of being a sort of Narnia for Atheists. This reputation is, at least by the end of The Golden Compass, largely unearned. Though the religious beliefs depicted in Pullman's fantasy universe throw their real-world parallels into an interesting light, there is nothing that compares to the explicitly Christian message in C.S. Lewis' classic children's books.

His Dark Materials is set in the Edwardian England of a parallel universe, where Pullman's fantastic reimagining of the staples of English children's literature makes them fresh again. The action begins at an Oxford full of stuffy dons, and the main character, Lyra, is a familiarly plucky urchin. She sets off on an arctic adventure in which she flies in hot air balloons, fights nefarious Tartars, and befriends fierce talking bears. The result is a heady mishmash that seems equal parts classic adventure tale, C.S. Lewis, and Edward Gorey. Pullman makes this all bracing stuff, but it's the ideas woven into the plot that hook you. Most compelling are the daemons. In the world of His Dark Materials every human has a daemon, a talking animal familiar that serves as a lifelong companion. The most affecting relationship in the novel is between Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon. It is emotionally familiar to anyone who has ever loved a pet (and Pullman doesn't refrain from pulling loyal-animal-in-peril heartstrings) but goes much deeper: daemons and humans are like Siamese twins bound by invisible flesh. Life as a fully autonomous human is as unthinkable as life without a head. The philosophical implications of this union give the novel a subtle but potent extra punch.

In comparison to the novel's musings on identity, the religious stuff seems pretty tame. Some of the evil conspirators Lyra must elude are members of a church faction that hides naked political opportunism behind a veil of orthodoxy. Pullman is having some subtle fun here, but doesn't invent anything worse than the real-life machinations of Reformation-era Europe. In the world of His Dark Materials, theology and particle physics are all mixed up together. But again, given modern science's origins in religiously-minded "natural philosophy", this seems more historically astute than theologically mischievous. The end of The Golden Compass quotes from a parallel-universe version of the Book of Genesis, which makes a great teaser for Book Two, but should prove heretical only to those determined to be offended.

Does Pullman show his true, insidiously humanist side later on in the series? I don't know, but I'm hooked enough by the first book to find out.(less)

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11/02/07

Alex rated it:

(review of isbn 0375838309)

bookshelves: books-read-in-2007

Read in September, 2007

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, HIS DARK MATERIALS BOOK 1 BY PHILIP PULLMAN: Originally published as Northern Lights in 1995, this is the story of a young girl who doesn’t know what to do or what is going to happen with her life, but soon discovers that she is on a specific course of destiny that she is unable to avoid. While The Golden Compass is considered a children’s book, like the Harry Potter series, it is written with an adult voice in an adult language, with adult themes. It seems that British...more THE GOLDEN COMPASS, HIS DARK MATERIALS BOOK 1 BY PHILIP PULLMAN: Originally published as Northern Lights in 1995, this is the story of a young girl who doesn’t know what to do or what is going to happen with her life, but soon discovers that she is on a specific course of destiny that she is unable to avoid. While The Golden Compass is considered a children’s book, like the Harry Potter series, it is written with an adult voice in an adult language, with adult themes. It seems that British authors give their young readers a lot more credit that American authors. The result is the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy that is by no means “just a kid’s book.”

Lyra Belacqua is a young girl who spends her days roaming the many hallways and rooms of Jordan College, Oxford, where she makes friends with everyone regardless of class or status. She’s just looking to have a good time and loves taking risks, whether it be climbing the roof of the college, or chasing and attacking the gyptians who show up every once in a while on the river. This is a different world to ours, where everyday electricity doesn’t exist. This is a world of zeppelins, steam and air powered machinery, gyroscopes and wheels and cogs, essentially a steam punk world. Also in this world every person has what is known as a dæmon, essentially the embodiment of a person’s soul in the form of an animal. When young, children’s dæmons can change form, but when they reach puberty the dæmon settles on a single form for the rest of their lives, giving one an insight into the person’s nature.

But Lyra’s world changes when first she saves her grandfather, Lord Asriel, from being poisoned, and then learns of his work in the distant icy north where work is being done with something called Dust, the northern lights, and something about another world in the sky. Lyra then meets Mrs. Coulter, who she immediately takes a liking to for she is so strong and impressive and knowledgeable, that is until Lyra discovers that she is the one who has been kidnapping children and taking them to the north for experimentation. Managing to escape, Lyra joins with the gyptians who head north to find out what is going on with all this business about kidnapped children and Dust. The rumors are terrible. It is said that experimentation is being on separating children from their dæmons which, considering it is taboo for a person to even touch another’s dæmon, does not bode well for Lyra and the gyptians.

It is in the north that Lyra finally discovers everything that is going and more importantly, why it is happening, as well as a giant armored warrior polar bear, Iorek Byrnison, known as panserbjørne; and a Texan balloon-fighting man called Lee Scoresby.

His Dark Materials, in my opinion, is even better than the Harry Potter series for the subject matter is far more complex with truths that relate to every reader. And with a move adaptation of The Golden Compass set for release on December 7th, now is the perfect time to read this magical series for the first time, or simply to reread it again.

For more reviews, and writings, or to buy yourself a copy, please visit www.alexctelander.com.(less)

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05/25/08

Tiffany rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: Any Harry Potter fans or people interested in religious (or anti-religious) allegory

Alternate universes, strong female heroes and anti-heroes, graphic death scenes, talking polar bears, religious controversey...What's not to like about this book?

Incidentally, I'm working at a Catholic publishing house right now run by the Daughters of St. Paul. Here's what one of the sisters, who's written a lot books for our Faith and Culture line, said in the Huffington Post about the movie:

Sister Rose Paccate, director of the Pauline Center of Media Studies in Culver...more

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03/21/08

Christian rated it:

Read in March, 2008

The Golden Compass
Ballantine Books,1995, 351 pp., $6.99
Philip Pullman
ISBN 0-345-41335-0

"In fact, of course, Lyra and her peers were engaged in deadly warfare. The children of one college waged war on another." Mischievous, Lyra is for a girl, always being told to se...more

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03/12/08

Jessica Abarquez rated it:

(review of isbn 0440238137)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in March, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

General response/reaction:
This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it so much that I went out and got the other two books in the series so that I could find out the rest of the story. While the number of pages and the font size looks daunting, the story is so compelling that I had a hard time putting it down to eat and sleep. There are some parts of the novel that I found confusing and I think it is because those confusing parts will be explained in the later books. I have heard that ...more

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02/18/08

Hong Deng rated it:

bookshelves: 9th-grade-in-class-books

Read in March, 2008

The Golden Compass Yearling, 2001,399 pp., $7.5
Philip Pullman ISBN 978-0-440-41832-0

Lyra, a teenage girl, trapped by a cunning woman, in a risky and heart-compulsive situation, faces the danger of losing her best friend to events beyond her control. Locked in a mortal battle with creatures, dreadful and petrifying, she fights bravely. If you are already a fan of fantasy books, The Golden Compass will make you feel more passionate. If you have never been attracted by fantas...more The Golden Compass Yearling, 2001,399 pp., $7.5
Philip Pullman ISBN 978-0-440-41832-0

Lyra, a teenage girl, trapped by a cunning woman, in a risky and heart-compulsive situation, faces the danger of losing her best friend to events beyond her control. Locked in a mortal battle with creatures, dreadful and petrifying, she fights bravely. If you are already a fan of fantasy books, The Golden Compass will make you feel more passionate. If you have never been attracted by fantasy stories, then start with the impressive world of The Golden Compass!
Absorbing and extraordinary, this novel illustrates a thrilling adventure of a courageous young girl named Lyra. Lyra lives among the Scholars in Jordan College with her friends and daemon, Pantalaimon —an inseparable part of her in an animal form. However, the mysterious disappearances of children, including her best friend, Roger, the obscure rumor of kids being stolen by the Gobblers and the exotic images of the foreign world take Lyra to the perilous North. Lyra, frightened, anxious, and lost, encounters various situations that she has never been taught how to handle. Nevertheless, her destiny in this appalling struggle has a tremendous impact, not only on herself but also on the lives of other people.

In the beginning of the story, Lyra is a naughty and wild kid who likes to play on the roof and fight with kids from other colleges. I found it surprising when I realized that as Lyra experiences the harsh obstacles, her innate intelligence and courage help her overcome all hardships. Furthermore, Lyra gradually realizes how important her daemon is to her; just like how significant our own best friends are in our lives.

I was captivated by the twisting plot and the vivid descriptions of the characters. The constant suspense, engrossing and intense, kept my curiosity and interest. The story is a complex tale—of betrayal and love, friendship and adventure, courage and hatred—that enriches the reader’s imagination. Readers will be reminded of their own life adventures as the story unfolds. Are you still hesitating? Pick up a copy of The Golden Compass and be ready to rock!

----Hong Deng Gao

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01/30/08

Andrew rated it:

The first book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, The Golden Compass, is a well crafted story awash with a new sense of morality, adventure and some annoying narrative flaws. While they don’t hamper the experience too heavily, they do detract from an excellent story and a thoughtful approach to the still powerful, if not more openly mocked, position of religion in people’s lives.
First, the up sides. Much like most modern popular fiction, the element of story has receiv...more The first book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, The Golden Compass, is a well crafted story awash with a new sense of morality, adventure and some annoying narrative flaws. While they don’t hamper the experience too heavily, they do detract from an excellent story and a thoughtful approach to the still powerful, if not more openly mocked, position of religion in people’s lives.
First, the up sides. Much like most modern popular fiction, the element of story has received most of the attention in The Golden Compass. Our protagonist is little Lyra, a girl with a destiny, which Pullman frequently reminds us of. She has some knack for figuring out a golden compass, a device which is capable of telling a person whatever they ask it. The story revolves around an altered kind of morality which Pullman promotes through Lyra. She cheats, steals, lies and fudges her way out of, or into, all her battles and trials; relying heavily upon hope and intuition to sort out whatever mess is left over. Toward the end of the work, in several pages of dialogue, one of the main characters even goes so far as to basically spell out the matter: the church’s perception of morality is ass-backwards and this story is about a different vision of Good, one just as valid and likely as the next.
Pullman’s work starts of with subtle moral overtones but, by the end, is a full blown commentary. This effect is one that seems to highlight and underlying issue throughout the book—the author’s trust in his reader. Whether done with the knowledge that most pop-fiction is read by people who don’t view reading as a thinking endeavor, but rather an escape, or simply because bringing the plot to fruition through mischief and making it an obvious statement was beyond Pullman’s grasp, this issue undermines large sections of the work’s narrative continuity and believability.
The essay-like expulsion at the end isn’t necessarily a short-coming when seen alone. It’s well integrated enough, but throughout the book there are other moments where an authorial voice chimes in, as though to beg a reader to keep reading. The plot is interesting and the story is enjoyable, which makes such intrusions all the more annoying. Events are foreshadowed, not by some subtlety of events which, when considered, may point toward their eventual outcome; rather the narrative voice will simply say, eventually this will be important, but she doesn’t know why yet.
The unfixed narrative position also leads to minor annoyances when it seems to stick with a certain method of experiencing the world and then veer drastically off course. Keeping within the range of Lyra’s own perception suits the work well, but the random deviations appear to be just that—random rather than somehow highlighting a significant event through the sudden change.
That said, the issues themselves are not terminal, nor do they creep up too frequently. The writing itself is well composed and direct, producing few sentences of beautiful language but also conveying the story very well. The general tone of the work is playful and adventurous but produces an air of imminence which works for the story by giving it a sense of importance. The characters are well conceived and functional. There are quite a number of archetypal characters, but in most situations it actually helps to enhance the main crew. Dialogue is mostly believable and works well for the characters.
Overall, it’s fairly solid pop-fiction novel with an interesting moral situation to explore and a lot of world-hopping adventures in store for the second two books in the series. The book certainly does a lot with the elements that it uses. More than that, the book is fun in a lot of ways. It’s not outright comic, but it is a story meant to give the reader a ride. Toward this end, the work is a success. It’s fast-paced and enjoyable throughout. Worth a read if you’re looking for Harry Potter type entertainment, but don’t come expecting Proust.

Cons:
Direct forewarning which breaks narrative tension and continuity
Seemingly random boundary-breaching for narrative voice
Lack of reader-trust
Total narrative collapse (page 231, transition from third to fourth paragraph)

Pros:
Fun story which suffers little interference from other issues
Language is clean and functional
Potential growth throughout trilogy shows promise
Characters are well done
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12/19/07

Rebecca rated it:

bookshelves: kids-lit, oh-so-british, sci-fi-fantasy

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: fantasy fans

This book started off strong, but by the end of the story, I felt that Pullman had sacrificed logic and direction for drama and suspense. He did a good job of gradually making Lyra less of an ignorant brat and more of a noble little savage girl. Overall, I liked this book well enough to want to read the second one in the trilogy, but I had several problems with it:

-There was no comic relief or even any funny moments in this book. It took itself extremely seriously and was rarely l...more This book started off strong, but by the end of the story, I felt that Pullman had sacrificed logic and direction for drama and suspense. He did a good job of gradually making Lyra less of an ignorant brat and more of a noble little savage girl. Overall, I liked this book well enough to want to read the second one in the trilogy, but I had several problems with it:

-There was no comic relief or even any funny moments in this book. It took itself extremely seriously and was rarely light-hearted or playful. It bothers me when epic stories get a little bit too in love with a sense of their own epicness.

-Roger is supposedly the protagonist's best friend and her motivation for doing everything she does in at least half of the book, and his death is supposed to be some significant turning point...yet he's by far the dullest, least developed, and least important character in the book. He says maybe 20 sentences in the entire novel and his longest continuous presence in the book is when he's asleep in a balloon. Time for Lyra to get a better, more interesting, best friend, which I assume happens in book 2.

-The alethiometer is pretty damn hokey. It sounds like something Neville's grandmother would have given him in the HP series. It doesn't tell the truth so much as do the dirty work of plot exposition for Pullman. "What's so-and-so doing?" And then we get several paragraphs of background information and future predictions. Um, isn't that the kind of information that characters are supposed to figure out by being smart or making friends or discovering things on their own? On the other hand, if the alethiometer is indeed something marvelous and great, then why didn't Lyra use it all the time? There were a couple of times when she was wondering about something or needed a crucial bit of information, but she either chose not to consult the alethiometer or forgot about it. I'm sure that was intentional on Pullman's part, because it was a way for him to show Lyra messing up or figuring something out on her own. But if I had an alethiometer at my disposal, I'd be using it all the time, and there was no good reason why Lyra shouldn't have done that, too.

-Lord Asriel's great "betrayal" was completely obvious to anyone paying attention and wouldn't have been very surprising even if you weren't expecting it. The fact is, he never came across as a "good guy" to me from the very beginning, if for no other reason than that he was a bastard to Lyra from the very first chapter. He obviously didn't give a flip about his daughter, so why shouldn't he betray her to get what he needed to satiate his ambition? Lyra was stupid to ever trust him in the first place. I'm hoping she acquires a little bit deeper faculty of character judgment in the next book.

Despite my criticisms, it was an enjoyable book overall, and it's quite refreshing to read a children's fantasy story that still upholds virtues like bravery and sacrifice without resorting to the ideals and symbolism of Christianity. Pullman's writing is what really sold this book to me. The plot itself is nothing special and falls into the cliches/archetypes that most fantasy falls into, but Pullman is obviously more expert at the writer's craft than most children's authors, or even most fantasy authors, for that matter.

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11/25/07

LeAnn rated it:

(review of isbn 0440238137)

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: YA (14 and up) and Adult Fantasy

Interestingly, although this book has an 11-year-old protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, it is not a children's book at all. It doesn't really work on a child's level. I'm sure that my 11-year-old understood the story on only the most superficial level and that level is pretty good, but not great.

First of all, outside of Lyra, the other characters aren't particularly interesting or strong. They had potential, but there are so many of them and Lyra spends so little time with them that the rea...more Interestingly, although this book has an 11-year-old protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, it is not a children's book at all. It doesn't really work on a child's level. I'm sure that my 11-year-old understood the story on only the most superficial level and that level is pretty good, but not great.

First of all, outside of Lyra, the other characters aren't particularly interesting or strong. They had potential, but there are so many of them and Lyra spends so little time with them that the reader can't really get to know them. The plot moves, though, and the alternate world that Pullman created is both familiar and distinct. I love the idea of souls as animal daemons, ones that are changeable in childhood. The animal daemons come in handy from a plotting perspective as well. For instance, they interact with other characters' daemons and at the instigation of their humans. Lyra's also acts as councilor and helper, flying ahead as an owl to see where she can't or taking on the form of a firefly when she's locked in a dark cell.

Lyra is a good character, but I think that what motivates her through much of the story is not loyalty, or love, or truth, but her sense of adventure, and that keeps her from being great. She leaves Jordan College to be with Mrs. Coulter because Mrs. Coulter lures her with the promise of a trip to the North. Lyra does at some point remember her friend Roger, who has been stolen by the Gobblers, but he's really just a red shirt (Star Trek allusion). And she does want to free Lord Asriel, but she doesn't really love or trust him. She just thinks that it's her fate to help him, even though Pullman goes to great pains to have characters insist that Lyra be allowed to act of her own free will. (I guess she freely believes in her destiny.)

The heart of the story, however -- the abstract, theological question about destiny and free will -- is more suited to adult understanding and debate. Pullman chose an 11-year-old to comprehend the truth in the end about Dust (an elementary particle that adults in the story believe are tied up with Original Sin) because of course children naturally see the truth where adults deceive themselves (I am being a bit sarcastic).

Again, I know that Lyra sets off at the end of the first book to do right, but even if she doesn't think that it's her destiny she does "reckon we've got to do it." This seems fatalistic and not motivated by her nature, something that a witch said Lyra had to believe she was doing. Since Lyra's nature seems mainly driven by her need for adventure and less by her love of friends, her conclusion that "we've got to do it" doesn't fit.

Of course, I haven't finished the trilogy, so I don't actually know how Pullman's arguments about free will and destiny play out, but if he's going to come down on the side of free will, wouldn't it have been better for her to discuss with her daemon what her choices were at the end of the book? That is, should she stay in her familiar universe and fight the Gobblers with her friends, where she's sure to do some good, or follow Lord Asriel to someplace unknown with the hope of doing ultimate good?

Finally, it's disappointing that this book isn't written as a standalone book. Sure, Lyra realizes something important at the end, but it's all just a brief pause in the longer story. It reminds me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in that sense. I do plan to read the other two books to follow the theological debate, to find out what finally motivates Lyra's destined betrayal, and to learn how she saves all life in every universe. I also hope that the characters in this book who had the greatest potential are developed more fully. For example, I hope that Lord Asriel is fleshed out more because I don't get him at all. Of course, I expect that Mrs. Coulter returns.(less)

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11/15/07

Jamie rated it:

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: Christine!

If you haven't read it, there's spoilers, for sure...I'm just musing.
So I'm re-writing this, now that I'm on the final pages of the second book, The Subtle Knife. I stand by my original analysis of these books: I think they are much closer in relation to L'Engle (Theology and Science with a fantacy twist) than Rowling. I'm a Harry Potter fan to the core, but this is apples to oranges. These books are painful, viscous, monumentally sad in the way that The Neverending Story got you when ...more If you haven't read it, there's spoilers, for sure...I'm just musing.
So I'm re-writing this, now that I'm on the final pages of the second book, The Subtle Knife. I stand by my original analysis of these books: I think they are much closer in relation to L'Engle (Theology and Science with a fantacy twist) than Rowling. I'm a Harry Potter fan to the core, but this is apples to oranges. These books are painful, viscous, monumentally sad in the way that The Neverending Story got you when that damn horse can't think a happy thought and dies in the quicksand (spoiler alert circa 1986).
I have to admit, I'm consistantly amazed with Pullman's ability to just...move foward with these stories. Harry Potter is Starwars with all this linniage and stuff, but this stuff is just...wowzers. It's masterfully woven theology, fancy...thought.
But, perhaps most importantly is the Tolkien-like use of these worlds and their "character" in the story. The aurora is as much a person and presence as Lord Asriel and of course, I love the use of witches as something positive and untrite: they are wise old sages in beautiful body (nobody likes an ugly witch, admit it.) They are sort of wiccian in nature, I guess, at one with mother-nature, still missunderstood, but also respected and illustrious. They are attached to little and, tough they wax philosophical perhaps to an obnoxious degree, this is a world falling apart, so everybody is a bit keen to listen.
And then there's Lyra, who's vibrant and filled with life, the last hope, so to speak, in a very mixed up, damp, cold world. Of course, she just happens to be the daughter of two incredibly vibrant parents, a child of sin, power...lust, whatever.
And then, as you're supposed to be, there's the ultra intriguing Mrs. Coulter. Nobody says no to her, she's evil but doesn't seem to really even buy into evil, she buys into self. She can do anything and will do anything, seemingly for power, but it's more personal intrigue, it seems, than anything else. She naturally is charasmatic, beautiful, a born leader (like her daughter), but she's too clever and ruthless for her own good. She'll sacrifice anything to get the root of things--she's pretty much the face of modern science. She's not entirely WRONG, but she'll go to whatever means necessary to extract her information (sperating children from there souls, etc.) She does seem to have a few mildly soft spots, which she regards as rotten--she is marginally into her daughter and seems to at least be sad she has slightly conflicting aspirations than her lover, but ultimately her soul is just like her terrible golden monkey daeomon: ugly, I suppose.
I could think about these books forever, especially with the added knowledge of book two. I can tell you I wasn't "hooked" until now--the end or middle of book two. And that reading these is an incredibly painful experience. Originally I loved the idea of daemons and wanted an external one--now I realize it might be more of a vulnerability than I'd like...either way, this is thought provoking and I cannot imagine having read it as a child. Public schools, sunday schools...they'd flip their lid.(less)

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10/16/07

Eleanor rated it:

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in September, 2007

recommends it for: adultescents who dig fantasy

What a waste, I should have followed my instincts and not bothered finishing. The entire story hinges on the opening scene which is mildly dramatic, and from there the characters gain not an inch more depth. Lyra the protagonist was somewhat likable and probably easier for young readers to identify with, and perhaps if the adult characters were more thoughtful and complex I could have liked this book, maybe even the series. I gave this more than one star because the world in which this book i...more

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12/03/07

Qt rated it:

bookshelves: fantasy, science-fiction

Read in March, 2009

I really enjoyed this book--it was such a fascinating and engrossing mix of fantasy, alternate history, "steampunk," mystery and adventure! Philip Pullman created an incredibly detailed and believable world, with the characters (many characters, all well-drawn!) to go along with it. The intricate political and personal relationships between characters and different groups were realistic and complex. The plot has plenty of surprises in store, and is by turns exciting, mysterious, dark, ...more

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""We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not, or die of despair...death will sweep through all the worlds; it will be the triumph of despair, forever. The universes will all become nothing more than interlocking machines, blind and empty of thought, feeling, life..."" More quotes...