The Golden Compass

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pullman, Philip. 1995. THE GOLDEN COMPASS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0679879242

PLOT SUMMARY
Lyra Belacqua, and eleven year old girl, has spent her childhood at Jordan College with her friends, other scholars, and her daemon (an extension of her soul in animal form), Pantalaimon. Things begin to change upon a visit from her father, Lord Asriel, whom she thinks is her uncle. She beings to wonder about the mysterious Far North, the Dust Lord Asriel mentioned, and other intriguing things she learns and overhears, including bits of information about several children that are missing. She eventually leaves Jordan College, despite an apprehensive Master, with the captivating Mrs. Coulter, to become her assistant. Upon her departure, the Master gives Lyra an alethiometer, the golden compass that she must learn to read and understand in order to know the truth. However, she doesn’t know how big a role it will play in her future.

At first, Lyra enjoys helping Mrs. Coulter, but after living with her for a while, she discovers her Mrs. Coulter’s true evil nature and escapes. She ends up with the gyptians, where she learns more about the Gobblers and the evil experiments they are performing on children, many of them gyptian children as well as her friend, Roger. As a string of related events unfold, Lyra joins a group to go search for and rescue the missing children and end the work of the Oblation Board. During this journey, Lyra befriends an armoured bear, Iorek Brynison, the witch queen, and aeronaut, and several others. Along the way, she gets captured by the Gobblers and taken to their facility where she reunites with Roger. They learn more about the dangerous experiments being performed on children, where children are being severed, or cut away from their daemons, resulting in immense pain, torture, and often death. Lyra and Roger lead the children out of the facility. Then, they are all saved by the gyptian group, witches, and Iorek Byrnison. Following their rescue, Lyra and the others continue farther North to find Lord Asriel so Lyra and give him the alethiometer and get his help in stopping the work of the Oblation Board. They end up in battle against the Oblation Board and eventually defeat them.

When Lyra finds Lord Asriel, he explains his work of studying Dust to her, and she learns that he is just as evil as Mrs. Coulter, whom Lyra has learned is her mother. Lord Asriel is able to get Roger and separates him from his daemon, but Lyra is unable to save him, and he dies. Using the Dust from Roger and his daemon, Lord Asriel is able to complete his experiment and travel to a parallel world. With the encouragement of Pantalaimon, Lyra and her daemon, armed with the alethiometer, follow her father into this other world.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Pullman has pieced together a fantasy complete with a myriad of unique characters, imaginative events, and an intriguing, different world. However, this book is not meant for the light reader. THE GOLDEN COMPASS consists of many interwoven ideas and a very intricate plot that could be perceived as complicated, causing some readers to lose interest. Some parts of the story are difficult to visualize due to their different nature, so far from what today’s young adult readers can relate to. Although they are well developed, the characters are also difficult to relate to. Other than the basic underlying ideas and feelings of friendship, love, and curiosity, the characters’ experiences and different lifestyles will leave some readers in a fog.

Even though some readers may find difficulty in getting into Pullman’s work, this novel is wonderful and exciting for those who enjoy fantasy reading. Fans of adventure will like the eventful story, full of battles, plot twists, and action-packed scenes. The ending cliffhanger will entice these readers to pick up the next copy of Pullmans’ trilogy, anxious to know what will become of Lyra and her trusty Daemon.


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Lone Star Reading List, Texas Library Association, 1999 - 2000
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters... The ending is less than satisfying, but serves as a lead-in to part two of the series. Fantasy lovers will be clamoring for the next installment.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures.”

CONNECTIONS
*Develop visualization skills by reading a description of various characters or creatures in the story and having students draw them based on how they visualize them.
*Read aloud to develop an appreciation of fantasy novels
*Read this book along with another fantasy novel (i.e. Harry Potter series, Chronicles of Narnia). Discuss the similarities and differences in each, compare the parallel worlds in the novels, symbolism, characterization, etc.
*Watch the movie of The Golden Compass and compare/contrast with the book.


*Other books in the His Dark Materials Trilogy

Pullman, Philip. 1997. THE SUBTLE KNIFE. New York: Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 069879250

Pullman, Philip. 2000. THE AMBER SPYGLASS. New York: Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 0679879269