The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials)

Great family book, easily shared with all family members, either for them to read alone or for a parent to read aloud. Thanks for the read, Mary

The book is so much better than the movie.

Amazing Book!

Lyra Belacqua is a young orphan being raised by the scholars at Oxford University in England. Lyra's world is similar to our own in many ways, but it is also different in many ways. The most obvious difference is the personal dæmon, a representation of a person's soul, that is visible to others. Children's dæmons constantly change with their moods, but one mark of adulthood is...more

Lyra Belacqua is a young orphan being raised by the scholars at Oxford University in England. Lyra's world is similar to our own in many ways, but it is also different in many ways. The most obvious difference is the personal dæmon, a representation of a person's soul, that is visible to others. Children's dæmons constantly change with their moods, but one mark of adulthood is that a person's dæmon takes on a fixed form--an animal that shows its person's true nature. Lyra has a lot of freedom at Oxford and pretty much runs around doing whatever she likes until she gets drawn into her parents' experiments with Dust, a substance that they think symbolizes original sin. When Lyra's friend, Roger, is kidnapped by "the Gobblers," Lyra sets off to rescue him. Though marketed as young adult lit, this first book in Pullman's rich and complex trilogy offers much for adults as well. What I like best about this book is that it can be read on so many levels. It is an exciting fantasy/adventure set in a beautiful, complex world filled with interesting, multi-dimensional characters. Pullman also offers plenty to think about--friendship, love, loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of original sin. If your intentions are good ones, do the ends ultimately justify the means?   hide