The Golden Compass by Philip PullmanSeries: His Dark Materials #1
Published by: Scholastic Point on November 19, 1995
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Religion, Science Fiction, Steampunk
Pages: 399
Source: Purchased
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Rating: ★★★★★
Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars in Jordan College, her daemon familiar always by her side. But the moment she hears hushed talk of Dust, an extraordinary particle, she's drawn to the heart of a terrible struggle—a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold, far Nother, young Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: her destiny must be fulfilled not in this world, but far beyond.
There are so many reasons that I love The Golden Compass, I barely even know where to begin.
I’ve always been a huge fan of the idea of parallel universes and I think that The Golden Compass executes this concept miraculously. It’s almost as if this book catered to all of my hopes, desires, and thoughts. We’re given a new world and inside that new world are daemons: animal representations of peoples’ souls. Who wouldn’t want a daemon? I sure do, sign me up!
Then, the book deals with some seriously complex and controversial issues that exist in our world and in this parallel universe, but in a slightly different way. It’s the kind of book that makes you think. Often when I’m reading the book, I have to stop for a minute just so I can absorb all the information and relate it to my own experiences in the world. This most often happens when Philip Pullman starts talking about Dust and the Church. I think about what’s happening in Lyra’s world, with the Church trying to control all the universes, stop free thinkers, and performing intercision. Then I think about our own world. I think about the Crusades, castration, circumcision, the Church’s stance on homosexuality, etc. This book encourages people to make connections and think about our own circumstances.
“But they were cutting —” Lyra couldn’t bring herself to say it; the words choked in her mouth. “You know what they were doing! Why did the Church let them do anything like that?”
“There was precedent. Something like it had happened before. Do you know what the word castration means? It means removing the sexual organs of a boy so that he never develops the characteristics of a man. A castrato keeps his high treble voice all his life, which is why the Church allowed it: so useful in Church music. Some castrati become great singers, wonderful artists. Many just become fat spoiled half-men. Some died from the effects of the operation. But the Church wouldn’t flinch at the idea of a little cut, you see. There was a precedent. And this would be so much more hygienic than the old methods, when they didn’t have anesthetics or sterile bandages or proper nursing care. It would be gentle by comparison.”
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, page 328
The Golden Compass is written in such a way so that a child could read the book and not fully understand all the intense meanings, but still love the book. I first read The Golden Compass when I was maybe 13. At the time, all the intense topics about the church, castration, etc. blew right past me. I just saw an awesome adventure story, other parallel universes, and animal companions. Epic. But when I reread it years later, I had a completely different experience and was able to more fully appreciate the book with its various layers and complicated issues.
From the very beginning Lyra is a very lovable and relatable character. At the beginning of the novel, she’s just having fun being a child. She’s playing with her friends, fabricating stories, and rebelling against her caretakers. Lyra is just out to have fun and do things her own way. She sees everything very black and white — right and wrong, good and evil.
As the story progresses, she becomes a very determined girl and takes on massive tasks that most people wouldn’t dare to even attempt. She’s incredibly loyal to her friends, just as you hope your own friends would be. I definitely admire her fierce dedication, even when stacked up against impossible odds.
This is one book that I will continue to read again and again!
The Verdict
I watched the movie version of the book for the first time today, and now I can’t wait to buy the books and read them all. 🙂
I really hope you like it!! The Golden Compass series is one of my all time faves! Especially the last book. 🙂
The whole series is just amazing. I re-read them all the time (though, it’ll always be The Northern Lights to me as I’m in the UK!). I feel the film really destroyed some people’s impression of the books though 🙁
Will is also my all-time favourite character. I wanted him to be real so that I could be his friend when I was younger!