You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
kemsy 's review for:
Northern Lights
by Philip Pullman
I read this book (and this series) countless times as a kid. It was one of those favourites I always came back to at random times, my comfort read that never failed to please. I decided to re-read His Dark Materials because of La Belle Sauvage and also because, while studying for my British Romanticism Course, I saw many of Pullman's influences, and thought it'd be fun to read now that I've also studied the OG sources in detail.
Reading this as an adult feels weird. I never realised as a kid how FAST this goes. Pullman doesn't waste a scene; there's always tension and the quintessential elements of an adventure. I have to say, this is a unique setting. The world, the names, the people. It may be that I haven't read fantasy extensively, but I don't think I've ever come across another world that gave off a similar atmosphere to this one. I won't spoil it in case there's still people interested in the genre who haven't read this, but it really reads like a real fleshed-out world, which is amazing considering how small this book is. The world-building is astounding considering how much of it is excluded or based on inference. This is something I appreciate immensely in good children's books; being able to set an atmosphere or provide a setting without drowning your narrative in words. Less is more in some cases.
Lyra's story-making is so annoying at times, but she's a good character. I think she's very well-written compared to a lot of other female heroines I can think off. Of course I didn't try to do a close reading of this and suck out all the fun from reading, but, in general, I think this book holds up pretty well and will continue to do so. Reading this made me realise how mediocre La Belle Sauvage is. Not that it's a bad book, absolutely not, but, well, that book should've been a novella, in my opinion. Still, can't wait to finish His Dark Materials so I can read The Secret Commonwealth!
Anyway. I really recommend this book. Give it to your kids, please! As soon as possible. As for adults; why haven't you read this already....plz
Reading this as an adult feels weird. I never realised as a kid how FAST this goes. Pullman doesn't waste a scene; there's always tension and the quintessential elements of an adventure. I have to say, this is a unique setting. The world, the names, the people. It may be that I haven't read fantasy extensively, but I don't think I've ever come across another world that gave off a similar atmosphere to this one. I won't spoil it in case there's still people interested in the genre who haven't read this, but it really reads like a real fleshed-out world, which is amazing considering how small this book is. The world-building is astounding considering how much of it is excluded or based on inference. This is something I appreciate immensely in good children's books; being able to set an atmosphere or provide a setting without drowning your narrative in words. Less is more in some cases.
Lyra's story-making is so annoying at times, but she's a good character. I think she's very well-written compared to a lot of other female heroines I can think off. Of course I didn't try to do a close reading of this and suck out all the fun from reading, but, in general, I think this book holds up pretty well and will continue to do so. Reading this made me realise how mediocre La Belle Sauvage is. Not that it's a bad book, absolutely not, but, well, that book should've been a novella, in my opinion. Still, can't wait to finish His Dark Materials so I can read The Secret Commonwealth!
Anyway. I really recommend this book. Give it to your kids, please! As soon as possible. As for adults; why haven't you read this already....plz