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Title: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1) by Philip Pullman ISBN: 0-345-41335-0 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 30 March, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.63 (1042 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: great beginning, fantastic middle, dwindling end
Comment: The Golden Compass is a story if Lyra Belacqua, whose destiny doesn't lie in her present world but in a place entirely different from what she has known. While Philip Pullman is a master for his play of words and fantastic imagery, the ending of The Golden Compass proves to be anti-climactic. There were many great and exciting scenes in The Golden Compass, filled with interesting characters but, sad to say, I feel the book went downhill towards the end. Discussions about theology suddenly appeared, matched with a small love story, which readers may be left wondering where did these come from.
Rating: 4
Summary: a good start...
Comment: this is unlike any fantasy i've ever read before. most fantasies have a specific time period (medieval, or sci-fi), even if they are alternative realities in our own world. the thing about this book is that pullman never bothers to explain what his world is all about. It is geographically our own earth, yet the political atmposphere and the names for countries, races, regions and even stuff like electricity (which is called anbaric force) are all different. I think what makes people like or hate this book is as simple as their reaction to pullman's unforgiving style of narrating as though this is a familiar world to us all, with not even a page of explanation as to what this universe is all about, or precisely what daemons are.
I found it irritating yet admirable at the same time. While i was impatient that i could only learn about this world slowly and subtly, i was impressed by this very subtlety. For example, the first time the word 'anbaric' came up, I had no idea what it meant. Yet, Pullman used it again and again very strategically so as to leave no doubt that it referred to electricity. Similarly, the new moniker for gypsies (gyptians) was subtly expressed.
A minor fault with the book is its characters. Lyra is far too bright to be realistic. The trouble is she's not the Artemis-Fowl-type bright either. She's a street child who can just understand in one blink complicated and subjective concepts like 'original sin' that I had to read twice to take in. She has a mind like an adult, yet the constitution of a child. Also, I felt pullman didn't delve deeply enough into some of his other characters such as the witches or Iorek Byrnison.
Otherwise, this book is a good read, with a very good plot and satisfying, yet suspenseful, ending. A caution though; this book can be very dark in some places and may not be appropriate for very young children.
Rating: 5
Summary: Get over it people!
Comment: First off, I want to say something to all the people who disagree with me. GET OVER IT! Books aren't always supposed to agree with religion, so don't take it personally. I don't agree with a lot of convictions in books sometimes, but who doesn't? That's the magic of reading fantasy and sci-fi novels! If they offend you, PUT THEM DOWN!!! It's not that hard! But like me, even if you don't agree with some of the ideas, most of the time the book is outstanding anyway! I respect your opinions, and if you want to debate me, catch me on AIM at Groovy70sChic42. I'll be glad to share my point of view with you.
Secondly, I just want to say that The Golden Compass and the Subtle Knife (I still have to get around to reading the Amber Spyglass, but I hear it's the best!) are the most original novels I have ever read, and I've read a lot of novels. The way that Philip Pullman leaves you hanging and aching for more at the end of each book is amazing, and I feel a need to read on. When I put the book down for a day I think, "Where does he come up with these ideas? How many people would be so original in their writing?" I think these books can put even Harry Potter to shame.
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Title: The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2) by Philip Pullman ISBN: 0345413369 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 28 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) by Philip Pullman ISBN: 0679879269 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Pub. Date: 10 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman ISBN: 0375828192 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Pub. Date: 28 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 1) by Philip Pullman ISBN: 0394895894 Publisher: Laure Leaf Pub. Date: 12 November, 1988 List Price(USD): $5.50 |
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Title: Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book 1) by Eoin Colfer ISBN: 0786817070 Publisher: Miramax (Kids) Pub. Date: 03 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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