The Golden Compass

July 21, 2005

How can I explain the genius that is Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass?

This, and the rest of book in the His Dark Materials series are probably my personal favorite “children’s books” of all time. These truly are fantasy books for people of all ages. There is so much depth and emotion in there…

Ah, but what it it about? Good question. It’s complicated. In fact, I’m not sure how to even explain it. Random House has a nice synopsis on their Website, here’s a blurb:

In The Golden Compass, readers meet for the first time 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua, a precocious orphan growing up within the precincts of Jordan College in Oxford, England. It quickly becomes clear that Lyra’s Oxford is not precisely like our own - nor is her world. In Lyra’s world, everyone has a personal dæmon, a lifelong animal familiar. This is a world in which science, theology and magic are closely intertwined.

These ideas are of little concern to Lyra, who at the outset of the story, spends most of her time with her friend Roger, a kitchen boy. Together, they share a carefree existence scampering across the roofs of the college, racing through the streets of Oxford, or waging war with the other children in town. But that life changes forever when Lyra and her dæmon, Pantalaimon, prevent an assassination attempt on her uncle, the powerful Lord Asriel, and then overhear a secret discussion about a mysterious entity known as Dust.

It is at this time that children mysteriously began to disappear. Children, and only the children, are vanishing at the hands of what become known as the “Gobblers.” Who the Gobblers are and what they want is unknown, but soon, children from far and wide are disappearing with out a trace, even Lyra’s good friend, Roger.

All of this leads to a grand adventure involving talking armored polar bears, witches, angels, and a Texan who rides around in a hot air balloon. And more…oh so much more. It’s an amazingly fun read yet is also emotional and thought provoking.

The Golden Compass is one of my all time favorite books and is highly recommended.

Buy the hardcover from Amazon for $14 »

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