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Summary: The Golden Compass left me SPEECHLESS!
Review: In Ms. Belanger's class in 7th grade, we had to do a book report. Everyone kept suggesting The Golden Compass, so I figured I'd try something new. From page one, I could not put it down. I was staying up, reading by moonlight, just so i could finish that last sentence of the chapter. With every paragraph, I was thirsty for more. Philip Pullman has truly created a great piece of literature. His characters are unique, and I especially liked the idea of Dæmons. They are little friends that literally are with you till the day you die. The plot is twisted just so, and each word leaves you with bated breath, wondering what adventures Lyra Belacqua will come into next. For those of you who enjoy science fiction/fantasy books with a touch of reality, I very highly recommend The Golden Compass to you. I believe you are never to old to read fantasy books. Pick up the Golden Compass today, and get lost in the magical world of Philip Pullman.
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Summary: Anyone who can read should read this book
Review: The Golden Compass is an amazing book. Even if you don't enjoy fantasy very much you should try it. You'd be suprised at the vivid scenes and real-life characters that Pullman can create. The plot is fast paced and there is never a dull moment. The characters seem like people I could have met before and Lyra the main character is courageous beyond belief. This is now one of my favorite books and I think everyone can learn valuble lessons by reading this.
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Summary: A storm of ideas
Review: They say Pullman is fit for all ages, but I can't help thinking 22 might be a little too late to start reading this trilogy. The ideas in this book are really brilliant: almost no other fantasy author of these days can dream up this kind of a world, where magic of Tolkien is subtly wowen into our own world. I could speak of Holdstock, of course, but even his vision seems somewhat narrow compared to this. Pullman is philosophical, original and he has great ideas of religion and metaphysics. The same can't be said of Jordan, Goodkind or even Hobb. The only problem is that The Golden Compass is written like a fairytale. The plot has the makings of a great thriller - the book is a page-turner, I admit it - but the destinies of the characters can't get a real hold on an adult reader. Death doesn't feel quite like death, love doesn't feel quite like love. I understand this book can be a wrenching experience for a 12- years old, but for me it's mainly just interesting. Still, I'll be reading the rest of the series. Can't stop at this point, you know.
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Summary: Escapes the bounds of fantasy genre - fantastic book
Review: Pullman has written a vastly entertaining and well-paced book in "The Golden Compass." It's fantasy heavy on characterization. Its prose is tight, cutting, descriptive. The main character, Lyra, is wonderfully refreshing as a bold child prone to action, quick to use her wits in an intuitive way-she's a girl Ulysses. Set in an alternative universe where everything resembles our own Earth but is very different, the Church rules the Western world, people travel by zeppelin, and all humans have their personal "daemons"-familiars who take animal shape and serve as a lifelong companion. Generally Pullman fills the book with hair-raising twists and well-thought-out escapes, but is occasionally prone to using divine intervention to pluck his heroine from trouble. That's about the only criticism I can think of, because this book is great and a must for any reader who likes to travel beyond the here and now.
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Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: This is a fantastic book!! Philip Pullman's tale of the young girl Lyra sets your imagination free. It has anything you could ever want in a book! I coudn't put it down!!
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Summary: Tolkien, with a dash of Neal Stephenson - as good as both
Review: This is a superb book - I compare it to Neal Stephenson, because its central character is a tough, endearing little girl, and the people she meets on her adventures. It is like Tolkien, because of the magical world it creates, with religious overtones. Pullman's England is recognisably England, just one which took a completely different historical turn, about five hundred years ago. His world is like the real world, just moved a little to one side. I came across this book, as it was listed as a good book to read while waiting for the next Harry Potter to come out. It has more depth than Harry Potter, and is less of a romp, but anyone who likes Harry Potter, will find something to like here. Let's just say that the magic in "His Dark Materials" is as much internal as external, and you have to work a little harder to understand the mystery. Sometimes in my loopier moments, I think that Pullman might have hit upon some kind of religious truth. My office in Moscow is just round the corner from the lab where Kurchatov discovered the particles that are important in this book. This is probably off the mark, though, and doesn't make any difference to whether or not you enjoy the book. I am seriously thinking about giving this series to my father (who likes Tolkien), my mother, (who likes thrillers), and my sisters and brother in law, who all love a good story. It will certainly make my Christmas present-buying easier this year.
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Summary: Written with Eloquence and Beauty this book also has Omph.
Review: I have read many a book in my lifetime, this is in my top ten EVER. I have read all four HARRY POTTER books, Roald Dahl is amazing too, but the Golden Compass is totally different, yet the same genre (Fiction/Fantasy) it adds a realness that I have searched for in many books. Though the beginning is a bit slow, when you sit down to read it and get through chapter 1, you can't stop. When reading, I like to be connected with the characters, or be able to relate with their emotions, I felt just as much a part of Lyra (the main character) as her Daemon "PAN". My excitment and wonder as she finds out what is in store for her, what has happened to her and what is happening at the moment is as strong as hers. I suggest this book for anyone who is 8 or above, the words can be difficult, but as long as you can stay with the plot, that doesn't matter.
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Summary: Masterfully crafted introduction...
Review: Pullman's first installment of the Dark Materials trilogy is perfectin virtually every way. From the intricate details of the parallel Oxford to the sweeping Arctic vistas he paints it is superbly vivid. As Pullman begins the story, casually illustrating this strange new world, the readers have no idea what is in store for little Lyra and her dæmon. But we are dragged along, almost brutally at times, by Pullman's incredible skill as Lyra quickly begins to discover that she is much more than an ordinary little girl. Pullman weaves the beginning of his trilogy perfectly, leading the reader along a variety of twisting, turning, and ultimately ambiguous plot developments. It sets the stage brilliantly for the following two books. Though marketed at younger readers this book, as well as the rest of the trilogy, holds almost more for the older set. While superficially the book seems like well-written childrens' fantasy, there are eddies just below the surface of the intricate and complex story that flow beautifully into the next two books. These currents, sweeping the characters along, sit murkily out of sight until Pullman draws them to the clarity of the surface with masterful skill. Pullman's amazing talent has blossomed with the Dark Materials trilogy and the initial book exemplifies this absolutely. Anyone looking for an engrossingly complex read is advised to pick upthis gem and its brethren; they will not be disappointed.
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Summary: A Wonderful Beginning for a Dynamic Triology
Review: In case you don't know, The Golden Compass is the start of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy (The final story came out recently). In this novel, we are introduced to Lyra, a young girl of Oxford who lives in a world similar, but not quite ours. The biggest difference is that they share their souls with daemons, magical creatures who take the shapes of different animals. After a series of unusual events, Lyra is given an strange instrument called the alethiometer, a gadget used to tell the truth. After receiving the gift, Lyra and her daemon suffer numerous tragedies and surprises which lead them to the North where they encounter witches and panserbjorn (basically polar bears in armor). Throughout numerous incidents Lyra is lead through a world of deceit and greed until the final stunning sentence which will change her world forever. If you appreciate good literature, read the book!
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Summary: Read this book!
Review: This book is VERY well written, with all its fantasy and details, but not too many details so that you get lost. Its a thrilling tale, full of action, and amazing imaginary creatures, yet quiet and peaceful in some places.This book can transport you to another world, and you feel you're there, right in the midst of it! Philip Pullman Pullman has a wonderful imagination, and the sequels to this book are equally enchanting.
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