THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
Book Review: Fantasy
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
Bibliography
Pullman, Philip. 1995. THE GOLDEN COMPASS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 679879242
Plot Summary
Lyra Belacqua, an eleven-year-old girl, spends her carefree days at Jordan College running through the town of Oxford with her friend Roger, the kitchen boy. Accompanying Lyra in all of her adventures is Pantalaimon, her daemon (the keeper of her soul). Lyra’s life as she knows it changes following a visit from her Uncle, Lord Asriel. Unbeknownst to Lyra, the journey to her ultimate destiny irrevocably begins. Such curious topics as Dust, severed children, and mysteries from The North intrigue Lyra as she secretly hides in the wardrobe in the Scholars Retiring Room.
Soon after this visit, children begin to disappear from Oxford and surrounding towns. “Gobblers” are the cause of such atrocities and all are apprehensive. Lyra receives word that the beautiful, young Mrs. Coulter, requests her presence as her assistant. Lyra believes that all of her questions about The North will be sated as she prepares to leave her humble life at Jordan College. Upon her departure, Lyra receives an althiometer, a golden compass, which will become a source of enlightenment for many things to come.
Lyra enjoys her new role as assistant to Mrs. Coulter for a short time before she discovers Mrs. Coulter’s cruel and possessive nature. She escapes from her benefactor and is protected by a family of gyptians, the Costa’s, with whom she knows from her carefree past. It is during her time with them that Lyra learns more about The North, Dust, and children who are captured by the Gobblers. Lyra discovers that her friend Roger, from the Jordan College, is among the children who are missing. Lyra joins countless gyptians, John Faa and Father Coram on a quest to unravel the mysteries regarding the Oblation Board. Lyra soon discovers the identities of her father and mother which encourage Lyra to locate and rescue Lord Asriel.
Book Review: Fantasy
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
Bibliography
Pullman, Philip. 1995. THE GOLDEN COMPASS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 679879242
Plot Summary
Lyra Belacqua, an eleven-year-old girl, spends her carefree days at Jordan College running through the town of Oxford with her friend Roger, the kitchen boy. Accompanying Lyra in all of her adventures is Pantalaimon, her daemon (the keeper of her soul). Lyra’s life as she knows it changes following a visit from her Uncle, Lord Asriel. Unbeknownst to Lyra, the journey to her ultimate destiny irrevocably begins. Such curious topics as Dust, severed children, and mysteries from The North intrigue Lyra as she secretly hides in the wardrobe in the Scholars Retiring Room.
Soon after this visit, children begin to disappear from Oxford and surrounding towns. “Gobblers” are the cause of such atrocities and all are apprehensive. Lyra receives word that the beautiful, young Mrs. Coulter, requests her presence as her assistant. Lyra believes that all of her questions about The North will be sated as she prepares to leave her humble life at Jordan College. Upon her departure, Lyra receives an althiometer, a golden compass, which will become a source of enlightenment for many things to come.
Lyra enjoys her new role as assistant to Mrs. Coulter for a short time before she discovers Mrs. Coulter’s cruel and possessive nature. She escapes from her benefactor and is protected by a family of gyptians, the Costa’s, with whom she knows from her carefree past. It is during her time with them that Lyra learns more about The North, Dust, and children who are captured by the Gobblers. Lyra discovers that her friend Roger, from the Jordan College, is among the children who are missing. Lyra joins countless gyptians, John Faa and Father Coram on a quest to unravel the mysteries regarding the Oblation Board. Lyra soon discovers the identities of her father and mother which encourage Lyra to locate and rescue Lord Asriel.
During the journey, Lyra learns how to operate and interpret the althiometer. This enables her, among other things, to aide a majestic, armored bear named Iorek Brynison. This gesture of goodwill produces a steadfast bond of friendship between the two. Lyra soon learns how advantageous this is as she, herself, is captured by the Oblation Board. While at their secret location, Lyra is reunited with Roger. Lyra learns about devastating experiments performed on pre-adolescent children that involve daemons being severed from their soul mates. Through nerves of steel and determination, Lyra creates a diversion and provides a means of escape to all that are held captive. Lyra and the children rejoin the gyptian group and continue their quest to The North to find Lord Asriel.
Lyra ultimately locates Lord Asriel only to discover that he, too, is interested in obtaining Dust from children by means of daemon separation. Lord Asriel separates Roger from his daemon and is provided with a means of travel over the bridge to a parallel world. Together, Pantalaimon, Lyra, and the alethiometer pursue Lord Asriel into this new world in order to search for the true purpose of Dust.
Critical Analysis
THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a fantasy complete with intrigue, heroism, and imaginative events. Pullman provides an intricate plot combined with unique, yet identifiable characters. Young readers may have difficulty visualizing many occurrences throughout Lyra’s journey but will identify with the individual choices made by key characters, and themes of love, friendship, and honor portrayed throughout the novel. Due to the graphic details related to destruction, death, and warfare, this novel is not for young audiences.
While many readers may experience difficulty immersing into Pullman’s fantasy world, this novel provides many cliffhangers, which entice readers to continue on Lyra’s quest. Fans of soft science fiction and fantasy will embrace the battles, plot twists, and heart-racing events. Those that embrace the journey will be delighted to know that THE GOLDEN COMPASS is the first in a series.
Review Excerpts
A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels. Booklist
"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures.” --(starred review), Publishers Weekly
Connections
Discuss and illustrate the type of daemon you might have as a young adult.
Compile a dictionary of words used in THE GOLDEN COMPASS and make connections between Lyra’s world and ours.
Watch the THE GOLDEN COMPASS DVD. Compare and contrast related events from the book to the movie.
Read other books in His Dark Materials Trilogy
Critical Analysis
THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a fantasy complete with intrigue, heroism, and imaginative events. Pullman provides an intricate plot combined with unique, yet identifiable characters. Young readers may have difficulty visualizing many occurrences throughout Lyra’s journey but will identify with the individual choices made by key characters, and themes of love, friendship, and honor portrayed throughout the novel. Due to the graphic details related to destruction, death, and warfare, this novel is not for young audiences.
While many readers may experience difficulty immersing into Pullman’s fantasy world, this novel provides many cliffhangers, which entice readers to continue on Lyra’s quest. Fans of soft science fiction and fantasy will embrace the battles, plot twists, and heart-racing events. Those that embrace the journey will be delighted to know that THE GOLDEN COMPASS is the first in a series.
Review Excerpts
A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels. Booklist
"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures.” --(starred review), Publishers Weekly
Connections
Discuss and illustrate the type of daemon you might have as a young adult.
Compile a dictionary of words used in THE GOLDEN COMPASS and make connections between Lyra’s world and ours.
Watch the THE GOLDEN COMPASS DVD. Compare and contrast related events from the book to the movie.
Read other books in His Dark Materials Trilogy
Pullman, Philip. 1997. THE SUBTLE KNIFE. New York: Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 069879250
Pullman, Philip. 2000. THE AMBER SPYGLASS. New York: Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 0679879269
Photo courtesy of www.amazon.com
Photo courtesy of www.amazon.com
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1 comment:
my son loved it
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