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The Golden Compass |
Author: Philip Pullman
Published: 2001-11-13 |
List price: $7.50
Our price: $5.99
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As of: November 20th, 2008 07:31:32 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Golden Compass-an ultimate classic
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman is the first book in the trilogy: His Dark Materials. The story is remarkably told in a parallel universe that is similar to ours, but of course, this being a work of fantasy fiction, Pullman included magic and other fantastical beings. The story has many main characters but the most important character is a stubborn and courageous young girl from Great Britain, Lyra. The whole story is about a golden compass, Lyra and her daemon Pan, and their magnificent journey through this parallel universe, carrying out a task that is not immediately defined but they know it will save their world and make history. The story is a delectably retold history of our world in a more fascinating and magical setting. From beginning to end, the storyline is filled with suspense and unpredictable events.
I believe that the book was very well written, and the plot was gripping. Philip Pullman managed to put all of his imagination and creativity into this book, without having the wording too verbose or hard to interpret. His writing style was very detailed, descriptive, and yet simple so that not only young adults like myself could read it, but also that adults would still enjoy his brilliant work of literature.
The Golden Compass also holds many ingenious and significant metaphors, such as the daemon, an animal that is part of your soul, but really stands for your true character or conscious being able to converse with its human form. Along with metaphors it has a very strong religious(especially Christian) and moral take on things. Philip Pullman delectably writes a simple fantasy fiction children's story, but with remarkable hidden messages that readers of all ages would enjoy to interpret and read. No doubt this trilogy will soon be up there with other great fantastical classics of literature.
Northern Lights / Golden Compass = Wonderful!
Seriously I have no idea what all the fuss was about (the book being anti christian and all) but what I can say is that it's a brilliant dark fantasy book which combines our world with another and brings out a wonderful story.
The Golden Compass is a compelling and wonderful story of fantasy and adventure. I was still wondering about Lyra and her friends long after it ended.
 Adventure in the far, far north
Being a resident of Alaska, I loved this book. Plus, the fast-paced action creates a story that you can't put down because you really, really want to know what's next. Read this book if you love fantasy, if you're looking forward to the film and want to read the book first, or if you've heard the controversy but want to learn the facts straight from the source. In addition, the book contains a few gorgeous descriptions of life in the far, far North. I give it a 9 out of 10.
 Took me forever to read...
Ok. First of all. This book took me two weeks to read, which is a ridiculously long time for me. I've been known to finish a couple of books in a day.
The reason it took me so long was that I was lost from the very beginning. There was just way to many characters and questions introduced in the first few chaptes and I couldn't seem to catch up. I'm not sure if this was Pullman's writing style (lots of dialogue, not many descriptions) or my fragmented reading style - but I just couldn't get into the story.
I wasn't a huge fan of the characters. I liked the setting and thought the premise was original... but I wasn't blown away.
Yes, I will read it again because I think it will read better the second time.
Yes, I will read the next book.
But overall - I probably wouldn't have even finished it if I hadn't of purchased it.
Magically Adventure Tale for Both Children and Adults (A Grade)
Philip Pullman's Northern Lights is also known as The Golden Compass, which was made into a movie last year. Published in 1995, this is the first novel in Pullman's His Dark Material's trilogy about the journey of a young orphan girl, Lyra Belacqua, and the world she inhabits. This world Pullman has creative is a fantasy and mystical adventure where people have shift changing animals called daemons by their sides. These daemons are a part of the person's soul and their personality.
Lyra's daemon is named Pantalaimon and they reside at Jordan College, in Oxford, England, which is parallel universe during pre World War II. Lyra has free reign of the college since her Uncle Asriel is quite powerful and a major benefactor to the college. He keeps her there for her own safe keeping as he travels around the world as an explorer. One day Asriel comes for a visit and Lyra stumbles upon a plot to assassinate him. The Master of the college wants to do away with Asriel because of his on-going search for a mysterious particle called Dust that is found near the Aurora Borealis.
Asriel leaves on his merry way, and Lyra continues as she has always done, playing with childish abandon and causing a ruckus. Lyra sometimes is a bit too curious for her own good. But things begin to change as children in the town go missing. Soon there are rumors that the children are being taken away and being eaten by "The Gobblers". Lyra is safe and sound, but the children she plays with, including her one close friend, Roger have been kidnapped. She decides it is up to her to solve the mystery of The Gobblers and the missing children. Lyra doesn't get that far in her investigation because a beautiful and mysterious woman, Marisa Coulter comes to the college and takes Lyra away as her assistant. The big question is, who is Mrs. Coulter and why is she so interested in Lyra? That mystery is soon solved because Coulter is behind the kidnapping of the children. And not only is she kidnapping the children for a horrible reason, she may be responsible for imprisoning Lyra's uncle and has plans for the Dust that could change the world.
Northern Lights is a wonderful, fantasy tale that has so many hidden meanings and subtle undertones, mainly dealing with religion and the bible. When I first began to read, I really couldn't see why some people would be so up in arms about this book. But as I continue to read, I could definitely see the philosophical, theological and spiritual aspects that Pullman has written, mainly from John Milton's Paradise Lost. (I found this information from Wikipedia.com) Lyra is the main storyteller and she is a spunky and a tad bit bratty. But what would you expect with no parental guidance? She is also very smart and brave. Her journey is one that is dangerous and scary. The many people and creatures she meets, from talking bears to witches really bring the story alive. Pullman's world building and storytelling is incredible. I didn't want to stop reading because each page would bring me to the final epic battle, and in my eyes this was a battle between good and evil. See, there are those religious undertones I am talking about.
"Epic" is the main word that comes to mind when describing Northern Lights. Things build up slowly, where Pullman introduces all the characters nicely to the point where the action starts and doesn't let up. Some books are much like the movie going experience and I would definitely say that Northern Lights is one of them. This would be a great book to act out, chapter by chapter, especially with children, who of course are the ones that Pullman has written this tale for.
I enjoyed my reading experience so much so, that I would definitely be interested in reading the next two books in this trilogy and perhaps one day if I have my own children, I can sit down and we can read Northern Lights and the rest of His Dark Materials trilogy together.
Katiebabs
His Dark Materials Trilogy (His Dark Materials)
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