Golden Compass

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Pullman, Phillip. 2003. Golden Compass. Topeka Bindary: New York. ISBN 0613810368

Orphan, Lyra Belacqua, left in the care of scholars at Oxford's Jordan College, learns that her quiet life has interrupted in mystery and danger. Lyra lives in a parallel universe, where human’s souls are visibly represented as animal “daemons”. Lyra and her daemon run wild throughout the college and surrounding area as wards of the college. Lyra is intrigued when her elusive, uncle Lord Asriel visits the college with news of something fearsome called “dust” and its use on children and their daemons. His visit also places the golden compass into the hands of Lyra by the scholars fearing for her life. The golden compass is a mechanical device that provides the user with cryptic knowledge. When unknown beings called “Gobblers” are thought to be responsible for an epidemic of missing children, Lyra sets out with her daemon and the golden compass to find out what happened to Roger, her missing childhood friend. Her adventure brings in her contact with witches, warrior polar bears, gypsies and a very beautiful and dangerous Mrs. Coulter, who has clues to Lyra’s past and future.

The cover of this book fooled me into believing it was a fanciful fantasy fiction piece. The more I read, the more I was convinced this novel had characters of a juvenile fiction story, but with the themes, plot and storyline of an adult novel. I would highly recommend this book for Young Adults and Adults.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: April 01, 1996

“This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters. The armored bears are wonderful and more interesting than most of the humans. There is some fine descriptive writing, filled with the kind of details that encourage suspension of disbelief. The story line moves along at a rapid clip, but flags when it delves into philosophical matters. The ending is less than satisfying, but serves as a lead-in to part two of the series.”

Review from BOOKLIST: March 01, 1996

“Filled with fast-paced action, the plot involves a secret scientific facility, where children are being severed from their daemons; warring factions; witch clans; an outcast armored bear, who bonds with Lyra; and more. It becomes evident that the future of the world and its inhabitants is in the hands of the ever-more-resilient and dedicated Lyra. A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels.”