Det gyldne kompas: Det gyldne kompas 1

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to read The Golden Compass. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for over a year. I kept telling myself that I would read it at some point, so I was very excited to have my book club nudge me in the right direction.

I loved the dynamic duo that was Lyra and Pan. I applaud Phillip Pullman for creating two characters that were so distinct yet cohesive. I don’t mean Lyra and Pan had distinct personalities. They are very much unique, individual characters, who complement each other very well, and it’s hard to imagine one existing without the other.

When Lyra and Pan leave the college to live with Mrs. Coulter, I don’t think anyone could have predicted or imagined everything the two would be forced to endure. From the moment they escaped from Mrs. Coulter’s wicked grasp, I was on edge. I knew that she was bound to reappear with that awful monkey daemon of hers. And after witnessing that terrible golden creature attack Pan, I was not anxious to see him or Mrs. Coulter again.

When Lyra and Pan finally discover what is going on at the North Pole, I think I was more horrified than the characters themselves. I should note that a couple of years ago I flipped to the movie version of this book on TV, and I happened to see the scene where the oblation board/Gobblers attempt to rip Lyra and Pan a part. The scene was so uncomfortable to watch that I turned off the movie. I was convinced that this was going to happen to Lyra and Pan in the book. I guess I should have finished the movie... This was an absolutely appalling section to read, because it made me extremely sad and upset to think about what these adults were doing to these poor, helpless children and their daemons. I think the only part that was more upsetting to read was when one of the doctors actually touched Pan. I was as livid as Lyra and Pan were disgusted.

The concept of “dust” was very fascinating to read about. The fact that adults believe that dust causes sin and want to shelter children from it by ripping them apart from their daemons is interesting. Why haven’t the adults considered the possibility that dust is not a catalyst for sin but a product of it? And since children are more innocent than adults, it would make sense that they naturally have less dust, right? It seems that the adults wanted to be free from the church’s influence(I’m mainly referring to Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel’s disappointment with the church for not allowing them to further investigate the city in the parallel universe, the true origins of dust, and “intercision”), but they never take responsibility for their own actions. They immediately blame someone/something else for their sins and claim that because of dust, they can’t help but to sin more. Sound familiar? Adam and Eve?

In addition to the fascinating concepts of dust and intercision, there were so many wonderful, likeable characters, such as John Faa, Farder Coram, Ma Costa, and Iorek Byrnison, that made the story even more enjoyable to read. I am a little upset that we didn’t get to see what happened to John Faa and Farder Coram (and perhaps this is something that we see in the later books). And the witches! I want to learn so much more about these creatures. There were also some mentally unstable characters that I’d like to read more about, like Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter. I’m interested in their relationship and the relationship between their daemons.

This book probably invoked more emotion in me than any other that I can recall reading in my adult life. I’m actually happy that I did not read this between the ages of 10-12; I know that I would have been utterly heartbroken. Having to witness children being ripped a part (against their will!) from their essence, their souls, their best friends, the one thing that is truly them, was sickening to read and think about. Pondering the symbolism behind dust and witnessing intercision are things I'm not sure my 10 year old mind would have been ready to explore.

I will say that I feel like this review is all over the place and I apologize for that, but there’s so much to discuss and so many ways to interpret the literature. In short, I think this is a great read for people of all ages. The story is well told, the characters and setting are extremely well thought out, and the content would give any scholar something to ponder for days. I highly recommend this book. I very rarely rate unfinished books that are part of a series, but this absolutely gets 4 stars. The only reason it doesn't get 5 is because it isn't its own complete story because readers are left with a cliffhanger.

A young girl thrusts herself into the middle of a revolutionary scientific/magical fact-finding expedition. The book felt disjointed to me, as though it were many different stories pieced haphazardly together. I intend to read the rest of the series, but I don't feel much for Lyra herself. I'm still interested in Asriel and Mrs. Coulter, whose relationship is exactly the sort of passionate contention about which I love to read.

This book definitely has a dark feel to it. The writing style is very different than books such as the Harry Potter Series. Reading this out loud to my son, it took a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of the story.

The book takes place in a world similar to ours, but with many striking differences. It's easy to get hooked on the story after the initial introduction to the world. There is plenty of action and adventure, and the book is well written.

Great characters. Interesting plot. Overtly atheistic philosophy but very thought provoking.

I've just read this for the third time after first falling in love with the series as a young teen. It's just as captivating as it was then and I think the recent BBC series has certainly done it justice, even with the changes to some parts of the story. I admire Philip Pullman so much for the way he brings Lyra and Brytain to life in this trilogy. A very talented writer indeed!

I loved this as a start. I was immediately drawn into Lyra's world -- particularly Oxford. I remember being very gripped by the story and reading it very quickly.

Lower class children are disappearing and when Lyra finds that her friend is missing she wants to find him and get him back. Lyra becomes caught up in her new life but eventually realizes that all is not as it seems and those she trusts are involved with the disappearance of the children. Lyra goes on a quest which ultimately results in her following her destiny. I wanted to like this book much more than I did. Honestly, I wasn't even close to blown away. The story was slow to start. Lyra was the only fleshed-out main character and I wasn't fond of her at all. Boring is the word that comes to mind. The book also ends with a cliff-hanger which is a technique I really do not appreciate. I'm not saying this was a bad book though. Once the the pace picked up, I did find the story interesting and parts did read quickly. I'm finding it difficult to write this review as nothing really stood out to me as being great. It was ok; and I will be reading the next book, and most likely the last.

I really do not know how to word reviews in a way that make sense to anyone but me. I will say, that I read this book and was completely immersed in it. I thought it was perfectly written. I believe the author did an amazing job of creating an atmosphere and making it easy for me to visualize. I think this book can be enjoyed by younger kids and adults alike, and recommend it to anyone who likes to think.

I really do not know how to word reviews in a way that make sense to anyone but me. I will say, that I read this book and was completely immersed in it. I thought it was perfectly written. I believe the author did an amazing job of creating an atmosphere and making it easy for me to visualize. I think this book can be enjoyed by younger kids and adults alike, and recommend it to anyone who likes to think.

I'm surprised that I didn't enjoy this more; it's right up my literary alley. The root of my detachment is this: I did not buy the link between humans and their daemons. I got it, I understood it, I read all the exposition, but I didn't feel it. I didn't ache for Lyra when she and Pan were threatened with separation. Without that, I felt as if I were watching the story unfold, rather than feeling invested in any of the characters or their mission. So, three stars. But I'll probably pick up the sequel, because I am curious about that city in the aurora.

Intrigued me until the end, but with the child abuse and religious themes in this book, I'm wary of continuing the series.

Different, interesting, once I got into it it was hard to put down, but the ending left me aggravated because it didn't feel satisfactory.

Wow - adolescent fantasy fiction is way, way outside my usual reading areas, but this is a very good book. The plot development works, the characters are interesting, the witches and daemons and "armoured bears" are as bizarre as expected, but didn't upset my enjoyment of the book.There are two more volumes in the trilogy, and I'll certainly be back for them.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It has everything - mystery, adventure, some comedy, love. Lyra is a young girl (10?) who is being raised at Jordan College, Oxford. Children she plays with are being kidnapped by Gobblers and when her best friend disappears she wants to go try to find him. The mysterious Mrs. Coulter comes to Jordan, beguiles Lyra and takes her to come live with her. Lyra, the consummate eavesdropper, overhears what Mrs. Coulter is really up to and her connection to the Gobbler. As a result Lyra runs away and thus her adventures with the Gyptians begin.

Not my favorite book in the seires (that goes to the Subtle Knife) but great book. Lyra is a good, tough, intuitive young lady who goes on an adventure under her own power.Great book with some good plot twists. Would highly recommend

When I read this series the first time I did not fully get why religious groups hated it so much but oh boy I do now. Great book, although surprising violent at times and wtf is that one scene with the dæmons sensually touching eachother?

A pretty good YA fantasy romp with a dose of atheistic agenda. Overall I really liked this book and Pullman's personal politics weren't so front and center that I couldn't enjoy the book. I love the setting and the protagonist, Lyra, is great. The inclusion of academicians and scientists is always nice and I love that it's a pseduo-stempunky yet magicky yet sciencey world. A nice self contained read but unfortunately I'm going to torture myself with the sequels. O, and gotta love those gyptians, panserbjorne, Texans, witches, and daemons. That pretty much sums the story up...

I just listened to the fantastic audio book and loved it. I've read the novel before and remembered most of the important points, but having a full-cast audio experience really gave it life. I'll be listening to the rest of the trilogy soon.

Theology, although a dominant presence, isn’t the best part of The Golden Compass. Instead, it’s the world with its inhabitants - armored polar bears, daemons, and witches - that make the book an excellent read.

Although it’s a fantastic world, Pullman doesn’t show things as being alien. Instead, he presented them plainly and part of life, ideas to be accepted if you will. Daemons were the most exciting, especially in how they’re an extension of the person’s soul. Pullman uses them to illustrate how children are more fluid and malleable than adults, with their daemons changing shape based on the situation. Adults are fixed, their personalities stable, their ideologies steadfast. Pullman handles daemons wonderfully. He doesn’t tell us how they work; he shows how they work and why they work.

The armored polar bears and witches are surprisingly humanized too. While there remains an air of mystery for both, they are used as metaphors to illustrate deeply political themes that warrant a much longer discussion. The bears are used to highlight a valuable moral lesson: embrace and be proud of who you are. Witches, meanwhile, are used to show the power of love and compassion. Immortality or long life isn’t that great apparently, and it’s shown in a very loving way.

This brings me to the leading players: Lyra, Mrs. Coulter, and Lord Asriel. Lyra wasn’t an instantly likable character. She came across as rude and deceptive, but slowly gained better footing, becoming a better person as the story progressed. She took on redeeming qualities alongside her manipulative ones. The other two offer surprises along the way, and saying more would be offering spoilers.

I was more intrigued by the world than the people who inhabit them. There’s a certain level of sadness in the world, which reflects ours in profound, meaningful ways. The Church plays a substantial role in shaping it, which is something Pullman emphasizes much later in the book to highlight his skepticism. It’s interesting how “philosophical” and “theological” understandings and instruments are more scientific than spiritual.

The locales are also quite fascinatingly done. Oxford is a lively place, filled with interesting characters with both high and low politics. London is dark and grimy as it should be. Svalbard and Asriel’s abode are also designed quite well, both displaying and accentuating their owners’ tastes. The Experimental Station was more typical, reminding me of countless other “evil” depictions of control, with the clear demarcation between children and adults playing a significant role.

It took me a while to get immersed in the book. The beginning is extremely slow, but with good measure, since there’s so much to set up. It’s a complex tapestry of characters and world-building that’s handled deftly by the author. Once the story finds its footing, though, it picks up brilliantly and takes you on a ride you’ll remember forever. Oh, and that ending: can’t wait to pick up the next in the series!

Absolutely loved this from the very first page to the last. Fantastic.

This was my first option for 2020 PopSugar Reading Prompt: a book with "gold", "silver" or "bronze" in the title, but I wanted to finish a shorter book (The Silver Collar by Kate Pocalini).

I was not satisfied with the latter, so I decided to continue reading this.
It's worth it!
Looking forward to read the sequels next year.

This book was so fun and I don't know why it's taken me this long to start this series!

I originally read this back in the 90s, sometime after the second book came out but before the third. I remember enjoying it at the time, but for whatever reason I never got around to reading the rest of the trilogy. As part of my goal to finish more series that I started but never finished, I decided this would be the next trilogy/series I tackled.

The Golden Compass definitely holds up. I didn’t remember too much – just the broad strokes of the plot and characters – but what I found welcome about it is that it’s the rare young adult book where the main character behaves like a kid, but she’s also smart and capable in a way specific to children. Lyra Belacqua never feels like a little adult trapped in a child’s body, and the book is all the better for it.

Pullman also has a way with words and a fascination with headier philosophical matters that weave throughout the story without ever overwhelming the plot.

This is a book for kids with stakes that feel real and dangerous and occasionally horrifying. The villains are truly villainous, and the book doesn’t pull any punches. I started reading the second book the day after I finished the first, so I’m already doing better than I did oh those many years ago.

This book lost quite a bit of its luster from my 2007 reading. I have a hard time with Gryffindor protagonists, and Lyra just has no Game. Exhausting. The book picks up speed in the last third, but uneven pacing is hard for motivation and enthusiasm.

My third time reading this novel, I reread it in a day and a half. Enough said?

A decent start to the series, though the whole principle of external souls is quite problematic. It makes no sense, but it you just roll with it, this is an interesting story. This fantasy world is well imagined and populated with interesting people.

Fun story that was more "adult" than I was expecting. Looking forward to the next in the series.

This book. Boy, this book.

Let's see. I watched the movie when it came out in theaters and forgot about it because it was meh. Ten years ago, I read the first half of the book because a roommate brought it to me in my first year at college, but I only read the first half because... I don't remember, then we both move out and never see her again so no chance to finish it. Now, last year I watched the new BBC/HBO series and I got hyped again so I buy it in January.

Now... now I'm regretting the fact that I only bought the first one. With the quarantine stuff all the bookstores are closed and very few do shipping in theirs online shops. AND I CAN'T WAIT OMG.

I knew what was going to happen, not only because of the resent watch of the BBC series but because for some miracle I remember things of that first half that I read 10 years ago, and still I was at the edge of my sit. I couldn't stop reading, I basically make myself read only two chapters per day because I wanted to enjoy the raid (and because I was hoping that bookstores were open when I finished) and I really, really did it. I enjoyed this book so much, I loved it. Lyra was cute, sometimes a little annoying, but cute overall. Iorek is pure love and the witches are just SO cool. I think I didn't cry over Roger just because I knew what was going to happen.

I love parallel universes, and travels between worlds, so I just can't wait for the second one. Can't wait till bookshops are open again so I can buy the other two books.

Also, the daimonions are just the cutest things in the world.

One of those rare books that I enjoyed more re-reading it as an adult. I read this in... early high school, probably... and it didn't really click with me. I don't think I was looking for metaphysical conundrums and religious metaphors in my fantasy at that stage.

This series is a wonderful one that I enjoyed thoroughly when I’d first read them. I’m no longer sure when exactly this was, for the first time, but I remember there was a stupid email going around, talking how bad it would be for children to read them. I didn’t know the series at all, so I read a description and thought it sounded interesting, so I borrowed them from my local library. Needless to say, they are no where near as bad for children as these ridiculous emails led people to believe.
There is a new series being made of these novels, so I thought I’d reread them as soon as my library had a copy available, but this time on audiobook, as I’m want to do. I got *very* lucky and found the full cast version, and I enjoyed it very much! All the characters are great, and the narrators are very good at their work. Here is a list:

Philip Pullman as the narrator
Joanna Wyatt as Lyra
Rupert Degas as Pantalaimon
Seán Barrett as Lord Asrial and Iorek Byrnison
Steven Thorne as The Master and Farder Coram
Douglas Blackwell as John Faa and Iofur Raknison
Andrew Branch as Kaisa
Alison Dowling as Mrs. Coulter
Joel Shilling as Ma Costa
Sue Sherridon as Serafina Pekkala and Roger
Ann Rosenfeld as Mrs. Lonsdale
Stephen Grife as Martin Lanselius
David Graham as Jothem Sentelia
Garrick Hagen as Lee Scoresby
Liza Ross as Stelmaria
Haywood Morse as the Chaplain
John O’Connor as the Dean
Rachel Wolfe, Anna Colon, Alexander Mitchell, Arthur Mitchell, Harriet Butler, Fiona LaMont, and Andrew LaMont played the children
“All the other roles were played by members of the cast.”

**any misspellings are my own, as I couldn’t find a full listing of the cast online anywhere. So I had to transpose this list myself.**

Do yourself a favor and listen to this full cast audiobook as soon as you possibly can. It’s a real treat.

Meanwhile, this novel continues with the same rating, as I enjoyed it a second time. It’s recommended to all.