BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pullman, Phillip. 1995. The Golden Compass. New York, NY: Dell Laurel-Leaf. ISBN: 0440238137
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a very complicated story of a young girl, who is basically abandoned by both of her parents. She grows up in the care of the scholars of Jordan College. In this mystical fantasy all humans have a daemon. A daemon is basically a part of the human. It takes the form of an animal and is a constant companion. It is sometimes referred to as a part of the human’s soul. A person cannot live without their daemon, and a daemon cannot live without their human. The main character is Lyra, and her daemon is Pantalaimon. The story tells of the journey that Lyra is on. She believes that she is on one type of journey, yet things never turn out as she plans. She encounters many remarkable and original humans, animals and creatures on her journey to the North.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has all the necessary elements of a good fantasy/adventure novel. The story moves a bit slowly in the beginning, but picks up speed at around chapter three. The introduction of so many characters, as well as names of places is a bit tiresome in the beginning. Once the story begins to unfold though, it is very gripping. The writing style is basic and easy to understand which makes it a good choice as a young adult book. The main character has a true and soft heart, yet is strong and brave. There are many significant creatures in this story. The descriptions of the creatures give the reader a good visual representation. When the author describes the character of Lord John Faa we are able to visualize the this character in the story. This is the description of Lord John Faa “He was stern and massive and expressionless, more like a pillar of rock than a man.” Through this description the reader can form a picture of this enormous man in their mind. This book would be described as “high fantasy” since it meets the criteria of not having the possibility of being in the present day. It also has the elements of a special universe, a good versus evil theme, heroism, special characters types and fantastical objects. The main character Lyra is often in peril and has many choices to make concerning how to do the right thing. She is also able to read an instrument called an alethiometer. It is also called the golden compass and only a very few people in the world own one, or are able to read one. It was given to her and when she asked what it did she was told “it tells you the truth”. The writing is very fast passed and dramatic. The author writes in a way that shows vivid imagery throughout the book. Each place that our heroine encounters is graphically described. The story is well written and appropriate for a young adult audience, but would also be suitable for adults. It has a conclusion that leaves the reader wanting more.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly
"If Pullman's imagination dazzled in the Victorian thrillers that culminated with The Tin Princess, in this first volume of a fantasy trilogy it is nothing short of breathtaking. Here Earth is one of only five planets in the solar system, every human has a daemon (the soul embodied as an animal familiar) and, in a time similar to our late 19th century, Oxford scholars and agents of the supreme Calvinist Church are in a race to unleash the power that will enable them to cross the bridge to a parallel universe. The story line has all the hallmarks of a myth: brought up ignorant of her true identity, 11-year-old Lyra goes on a quest from East Anglia to the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate Roger and her imprisoned uncle, Lord Asriel."
From School Library Journal
"Grade 7 Up?A novel set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own. Lyra, apparently an orphan, lives among the scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. She becomes aware of a nefarious plot to steal children and transport them to the far north. As Lyra is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery, she finds that the children are being made to suffer terribly. What she does not?and must not?know is that she is the keystone in an ancient prophecy. Her destiny is to save her world and to move on into a parallel universe. She dives headlong into harrowing adventures, totally unaware of her importance."
CONNECTIONS
Students can read the next two books in the trilogy: THE SUBTLE KNIFE, and THE AMBER SPYGLASS.
Students can discuss the various themes such as good versus evil.
Students can write stories about their favorite characters from the story.
Using characters and setting from the book students can create board games
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