The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Mar 06, 2008 Christopher rated it liked it

This book is so thoroughly written, I have a hard time imagining most children enjoying it. It sounds strange to write this, but the characters are so well described, the plot so intricately woven, and the concepts so clearly defined that I can imagine reading it to be somewhat onerous to most kids these days.

My justification for this is based largely on the detail that goes into describing dust itself. A central construct to the story, dust is a mystical element that hovers around people, espec This book is so thoroughly written, I have a hard time imagining most children enjoying it. It sounds strange to write this, but the characters are so well described, the plot so intricately woven, and the concepts so clearly defined that I can imagine reading it to be somewhat onerous to most kids these days.

My justification for this is based largely on the detail that goes into describing dust itself. A central construct to the story, dust is a mystical element that hovers around people, especially children and their daemon pets and has cryptic properties the characters in the book believe may help combine parallel worlds. Cool. I can dig that. But the point where I think kids may lose interest in this concept is when dust is described over and over again with increasing mysticism. Honestly, The Force in Star Wars and the One Ring in Lord of the Rings - both essential concepts to their plots - are not described as much in their respective story lines. I think that is why those stories engaged me more than the Golden Compass. More was left to the reader/watcher to fill in. I find it engaging when I have to clarify things in my own mind with enough, but not too much detail. That's when I become part of the story.

Again, it seems strange to write this and even now I am conflicted, because the book does have all the classic markings of a successful children's book with witches, armor bears, gypsies, cryptic devices, and clandestine adventures. In the end though, Mr. Pullman uses these nuts-and-bolts to create an intricate erector set of a story when kids these days are used to XBox stories: topical fun, that moves quickly.

My only qualm beyond the age-appropriateness is with some of the writing being a tad expository. Sometimes the dialog and action lifts its skirts enough to expose Mr. Pullman writing to the reader. It doesn't happen often, but when it does - mostly again around describing dust - it is apparent. This factor was even more glaring in the movie to the point where I couldn't handle listening to Iorek Byrnison, the armor bear, talk about how great he once was or how sad his life had become or how obviously he was the prototypical secondary character longing for redemption enough to drag the main character into some significant action.

For adults looking for a good fantasy read, I would give this book five stars. But this book is meant for kids and that is why I must give my first incredible read three. ...more

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Feb 26, 2008 Andy rated it really liked it

Really enjoy the pace and feeling of the book. The world in which it takes place which is familiar yet very different. As many of my peers has said it is as much a book for adults as for children. I think ideally it is for late teens, though some of the material is likely going over the head of even me.

Enjoyed the pacing and the story and the way that characters develop. Looking forward to finishing the trilogy.

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Apr 19, 2008 Celeste rated it it was amazing

Philip Pullman write a wonderful adventure. He takes you into a world where everything is different; yet he keeps a keen eye on the present. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trip with Lyra and friends. ...more

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