Find Your Chances

The Golden Compass (Book 1 in the His Dark Materials trilogy)

by Philip Pullman

Read: February 2009

Description:

The Golden Compass, the first book in Philip Pullman’s trilogy His Dark Materials, opens in a “universe like ours, but different in many ways.” In this fantasy world in which  science, theology, and magic are closely aligned, Lyra, a precocious orphan, and her daemon, Pantalaimon, live a carefree existence within the walls of Oxford University. That is until she prevents an assassination attempt against her uncle, Lord Asriel, and overhears a secret discussion about a mysterious entity known as Dust. Soon Lyra and Pantalaimon are swept up in a dangerous adventure involving disappearing children, a beautiful woman with a golden monkey daemon, a trip to the mysterious far North, and a set of allies ranging from gyptians to witches to an armor-clad polar bear to a Texan aeronaut.

My Thoughts:

Although this trilogy has garnered much controversy, the themes and questions The Golden Compass raises are interesting. To begin, the characters’ daemons, manifestations of humans’ souls in animal form, provide the reader with a physical form by which to view the true inner self. Daemons also allow readers to actually SEE spiritual violence as opposed to just having it described to them. Philip Pullman also demonstrates throughout the book that children are much more intelligent and insightful than they are given credit for by adults.  Their judgment is not clouded by greed, lust or a desire for power.  But, then again, does eliminating all of these vices lead to a better–or perfect–adult? Finally, I thought Pullman’s exploration of familial bonds and friendships quite intriguing.  Is blood really thicker than water? Love, support, and kindness are true signs of connections with other people

Ultimately, Pullman has left me wondering and wanting to know more about Lyra and her world so I am on to reading the next book in his trilogy, The Subtle Knife.