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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WHAT IS DUST.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WHAT THE FUCK IS DUST.
I saw the movie light years before I read the book, and after having done it, I completely understand the indignation everyone was having with the movie adaptation. So many of the plot details got cut out and rearranged that what I remember about the movie no longer makes any sense.
Rather than reading it sitting down, I actually listened to this book as an audiobook, which was fantastic. I didn't know going into the audiobook that it had an ensemble cast, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear discourse between more than one actor. Each new character was given a new voice, which made it sound almost like an audioplay. I was so engrossed in the audiobook that I got a number of weird looks at work while I went on a face journey.
Love. Love love love love love. I'm already listening to the second one.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WHAT THE FUCK IS DUST.
I saw the movie light years before I read the book, and after having done it, I completely understand the indignation everyone was having with the movie adaptation. So many of the plot details got cut out and rearranged that what I remember about the movie no longer makes any sense.
Rather than reading it sitting down, I actually listened to this book as an audiobook, which was fantastic. I didn't know going into the audiobook that it had an ensemble cast, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear discourse between more than one actor. Each new character was given a new voice, which made it sound almost like an audioplay. I was so engrossed in the audiobook that I got a number of weird looks at work while I went on a face journey.
Love. Love love love love love. I'm already listening to the second one.
Shut up about things being YA! That's my full review.
Nah, but really, shut up. The Golden Compass is a ridiculously fun example of harnessing the typical YA POV of a child for all its worth. Lyra is a driven little wild-child and the world through her perspective is fun and interesting. Pullman doesn't linger on the differences between our world and hers (unlike the next book which I'm in the middle of; it's already beginning to get annoying). What she does focus on is the mystery of Dust. A mystery of biblical proportions shrouded in layer upon layer of intrigue by the all-powerful-and-evil Catholic Church or Magisterium and her absent but (going by the HBO show's casting) incredibly attractive uncle. Lyra sets off to find her uncle when an expedition to understand Dust goes wrong and fun ensues.
Great times were had and my distrust of the Catholic Church was increased even more than it already was.
Nah, but really, shut up. The Golden Compass is a ridiculously fun example of harnessing the typical YA POV of a child for all its worth. Lyra is a driven little wild-child and the world through her perspective is fun and interesting. Pullman doesn't linger on the differences between our world and hers (unlike the next book which I'm in the middle of; it's already beginning to get annoying). What she does focus on is the mystery of Dust. A mystery of biblical proportions shrouded in layer upon layer of intrigue by the all-powerful-and-evil Catholic Church or Magisterium and her absent but (going by the HBO show's casting) incredibly attractive uncle. Lyra sets off to find her uncle when an expedition to understand Dust goes wrong and fun ensues.
Great times were had and my distrust of the Catholic Church was increased even more than it already was.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very intriguing! Worth reading but maybe not suitable for the youngest.
It seems as though there's a deeper meaning glimmering below the surface that is too hazy to make out. It can't just be a critique on religion and power can it?
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An unexpected reread. I haven't done these since I was probably 13, although I was surprised at just how much I remembered given that I wouldn't claim it as my favourite book.
My main takeaway is that I just see no world in which this is a kid's book, beyond our young & infinitely loveable protagonist. I found so many bits of it genuinely horrifying.
That said, it still reads as an enchanting fairytale as an approaching-30-year-old man, if with a little more room for head scratching.
My main takeaway is that I just see no world in which this is a kid's book, beyond our young & infinitely loveable protagonist. I found so many bits of it genuinely horrifying.
That said, it still reads as an enchanting fairytale as an approaching-30-year-old man, if with a little more room for head scratching.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes