The Golden Compass: My Review

[EMMAXIS]

This review is cut and pasted from my blog. Love to hear you guy's thoughts, if any:


Wow.

That pretty much sums up my review of Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass. I just finished it, oh, about 5 minutes ago and couldn't wait to write about it. My interest in the book started when I read about the movie and the controversy surrounding it. Apparently, Pullman is an atheist, and His Dark Materials trilogy, of which Compass is the first part, was like his answer to C.S. Lewis Christian themed Narnia series.

I was raised in a strict Baptist school for most of my life, where a literal interpretation of the Bible was hammered into my head up until the 8th grade. Admittedly, I was once devout, but the world of philosophy and history and science and other religious doctrines opened my mind toward agnosticism. To this day I feel a level of bitterness, so I take pleasure out of anything that opposes my indoctrination. The movie, unfortunately, was a failure on almost every level; even my wife, who loves Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, told me, "Never take me to these kind of movies again!" But I'd read so much about Pullman's excellent prose, that I couldn't resist picking him up. And BOY was I surprised.

The book starts out slow . . . very much a kid's book, but the main protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, shows a level of cleverness and heroism and passion I found sorely lacking in the Harry Potter books. And, unlike so many cliched fantasy novels littering bookstore shelves today, Compass is a fairly unique world, a turn of the century alternative version (you could say mirror image) of our world, with slight but significant differences, such as human souls that take the form of animals and an intelligent race of armor wearing bears. What really put Compass over the top for me, however, is its willingness to tackle big concepts: religion and its relationship to science, the idea of God and elementary particles, alternate dimensions and original sin. As for Pullman's style, it's a perfect balance between beautiful prose and an easy read; a modern style I'd be happy to emulate. My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that in terms of perspective the book seems a bit too simple; I don't know if this was intentional to make it easier for younger readers; but it seemed to have the opposite quality of Martin's Game of Thrones in that there is really only one character to follow (Lyra). Other than that, a great read, **** stars, and I can't wait to tear into the next one.

Nick Alimonos

 

[Loerwyn]

but it seemed to have the opposite quality of Martin's Game of Thrones in that there is really only one character to follow (Lyra).

Whilst that's a good review, this line utterly perplexes me. Single, or very few, viewpoints are common in YA/teen fiction. Pullman isn't Martin, so why should he do what he does and use multiple viewpoints? If his book only needs one, then it'll only have one.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Over here in the UK we call it Northern Lights... still, one of the greatest YA books ever published.

 

[Loerwyn]

Over here in the UK we call it Northern Lights... still, one of the greatest YA books ever published.

And one of the worst film adaptations ever made.

 

[nuttz96]

And one of the worst film adaptations ever made.

Way back then, I had only managed to read about 80% of the book and never got the chance to finish it. Then the movie came out, and I thought "hey! I can just find out the ending to the first book by watching the movie, and then go straight for the second book". So me and some die hard fans of the series went to see it on the opening day. Who would have thought that the film adaptation had totally cut off the last few chapters of the book....

 

[RedMage]

The book starts out slow . . . very much a kid's book, but the main protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, shows a level of cleverness and heroism and passion I found sorely lacking in the Harry Potter books. And, unlike so many cliched fantasy novels littering bookstore shelves today, Compass is a fairly unique world, a turn of the century alternative version (you could say mirror image) of our world, with slight but significant differences, such as human souls that take the form of animals and an intelligent race of armor wearing bears. What really put Compass over the top for me, however, is its willingness to tackle big concepts: religion and its relationship to science, the idea of God and elementary particles, alternate dimensions and original sin. As for Pullman's style, it's a perfect balance between beautiful prose and an easy read; a modern style I'd be happy to emulate. My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that in terms of perspective the book seems a bit too simple; I don't know if this was intentional to make it easier for younger readers; but it seemed to have the opposite quality of Martin's Game of Thrones in that there is really only one character to follow (Lyra). Other than that, a great read, **** stars, and I can't wait to tear into the next one.

I completely agree with Loerwyn. Why is this an issue for you? The story is not supposed to be Martin-esque. Never tries or presents itself as such. Perhaps you are trying to find books with a similar feel to ASoIaF because they've totally revolutionized the fantasy genre for you and you thought this would be a story like that. Well, it's not. It has a very different purpose, one it accomplishes beautifully throughout all three books.

And, actually, I believe people actually LIKE fewer viewpoint characters, either single or just handful, as compared to a dozen or even two or three dozen (I have no idea how many Martin has at this point as I've only read the 1st book). This is because they come up more often, so you get more out of them. But then, all stories need and demand to be told in different ways. Pullman only needed one viewpoint for the book so that's all he gave it. Don't go comparing it to Martin just because you were looking for a Martin-esque book and didn't quite find it.

 

[shirepartial]

And, actually, I believe people actually LIKE fewer viewpoint characters, either single or just handful, as compared to a dozen or even two or three dozen (I have no idea how many Martin has at this point as I've only read the 1st book).

Yes!

I cant even imagine reading a series with over a dozen??? character points of view. Seems just daft..

Fair enough single POV is no good if you actually hate the character but how can you develop any kind of emotional involvement with character(s) when you only see them every 10th chapter

Is it some kinda of accomplishment to leave the reader lost and confused half way into the first book because so much is happening? because alot of books out there seem to do this..

 

[EMMAXIS]

Way back then, I had only managed to read about 80% of the book and never got the chance to finish it. Then the movie came out, and I thought "hey! I can just find out the ending to the first book by watching the movie, and then go straight for the second book". So me and some die hard fans of the series went to see it on the opening day. Who would have thought that the film adaptation had totally cut off the last few chapters of the book....

Utterly mind-boggling! I mean, the climax of that book, for me, was everything. It makes me feel as if the director either didn't understand the book or didn't care for it. A true shame.

Nick

 

[EMMAXIS]

I completely agree with Loerwyn. Why is this an issue for you? The story is not supposed to be Martin-esque. Never tries or presents itself as such. Perhaps you are trying to find books with a similar feel to ASoIaF because they've totally revolutionized the fantasy genre for you and you thought this would be a story like that. Well, it's not. It has a very different purpose, one it accomplishes beautifully throughout all three books.

And, actually, I believe people actually LIKE fewer viewpoint characters, either single or just handful, as compared to a dozen or even two or three dozen (I have no idea how many Martin has at this point as I've only read the 1st book). This is because they come up more often, so you get more out of them. But then, all stories need and demand to be told in different ways. Pullman only needed one viewpoint for the book so that's all he gave it. Don't go comparing it to Martin just because you were looking for a Martin-esque book and didn't quite find it.

*Ahem* I think you read wayyy too much into what I wrote here. To be honest, I much agree with you; I prefer fewer viewpoints and feel that Martin has too many damn characters to keep track of. I simply stated that Compass has the opposite quality . . . as in chocolate is sweet but popcorn is salty . . . Also, it was just a minor issue; I would have liked to see, for example, more of what Lord Asriel was doing, but like I said; I loved the book a lot, gave it four out of four asterixes!

 

[JustinfromTexas]

Utterly mind-boggling! I mean, the climax of that book, for me, was everything. It makes me feel as if the director either didn't understand the book or didn't care for it. A true shame.

Nick

Well, the fact that the studio was under incredible pressure from certain...elements throughout the production had something to do with it. I have a feeling the studio and director were trying to walk the tightrope between appeasing those elements (which may or may not be centered in Rome and the Southern US) who had a problem with the source material and creating a film franchise that was successful enough that they could tell those elements to pound sand when they made the sequels. Of course, those elements still caterwauled like petulant children and the sequels were shelved indefinitely, but I still think that was their goal.

 

[RedMage]

*Ahem* I think you read wayyy too much into what I wrote here. To be honest, I much agree with you; I prefer fewer viewpoints and feel that Martin has too many damn characters to keep track of. I simply stated that Compass has the opposite quality . . . as in chocolate is sweet but popcorn is salty . . . Also, it was just a minor issue; I would have liked to see, for example, more of what Lord Asriel was doing, but like I said; I loved the book a lot, gave it four out of four asterixes!

Ah, ok. I apologize then. I don't think I truly understood what you were trying to say. Sorry for jumping the gun there.

I really liked not knowing what Lord Asriel was doing. I find Lyra's tale to be quite compelling and very strong for me. We sometimes get lists around here of things like "Top 5 Books of All Time" and such. I've also seen ones asking for peoples' top 5 male and female protagonists and others for the antagonists, or wizards or warriors or whathaveyou. If I had enough characters that I had read already, Lyra would still be one of my top 5 female protagonists. Possibly top 3. The absence of knowing more about Lord Asriel than we do actually helps her story, I find. Gives her character very much that sense of wonder she has for his work and the love she has for him. Makes it very real. All of which gives the end a much bigger punch than it would have had if we had known more about Lord Asriel all along. And, as I write this, finally helps me (a couple of years now after my last reread, you understand [rolls eyes]) to understand where we find Lyra at the beginning of the second book. I don't actually like that one as much, because the first one is so strong in my mind and heart, and the second is not just more of the same.

 

[EMMAXIS]

Ah, ok. I apologize then. I don't think I truly understood what you were trying to say. Sorry for jumping the gun there.

I really liked not knowing what Lord Asriel was doing. I find Lyra's tale to be quite compelling and very strong for me. We sometimes get lists around here of things like "Top 5 Books of All Time" and such. I've also seen ones asking for peoples' top 5 male and female protagonists and others for the antagonists, or wizards or warriors or whathaveyou. If I had enough characters that I had read already, Lyra would still be one of my top 5 female protagonists. Possibly top 3. The absence of knowing more about Lord Asriel than we do actually helps her story, I find. Gives her character very much that sense of wonder she has for his work and the love she has for him. Makes it very real. All of which gives the end a much bigger punch than it would have had if we had known more about Lord Asriel all along. And, as I write this, finally helps me (a couple of years now after my last reread, you understand [rolls eyes]) to understand where we find Lyra at the beginning of the second book. I don't actually like that one as much, because the first one is so strong in my mind and heart, and the second is not just more of the same.

Please don't spoil the second or third books for me, I am still reading them! As for your assessment, I agree with you that Lyra should be in the top 5 most interesting protagonists. What makes her unique is her ability to convince people with her lies. The way she tricked those bears was brilliant. Also, when they were escaping the compound, she really took on the part of the hero. Despite her age, Pullman makes it all convincing.

Nick Alimonos

 

[RedMage]

Sorry! Wasn't trying to spoil anything. The second is a very good book as well. You'll definitely enjoy it! And, no worries, Lyra is just as awesome!!

 

[Jeroen]

To be honest, I wasn't really gripped by this series.

It felt like a strange mix of ideas to me. Somehow the elements of religion, quantum physics, talking animals and whatnot and all the places Lyra visits did not tie together in mind as a single coherent story. Even after the third book it all felt a bit... random.

 

[EMMAXIS]

To be honest, I wasn't really gripped by this series.

It felt like a strange mix of ideas to me. Somehow the elements of religion, quantum physics, talking animals and whatnot and all the places Lyra visits did not tie together in mind as a single coherent story. Even after the third book it all felt a bit... random.

Well, I've always been a fan of randomness, I suppose. I don't like to be able to guess at the ending of a story when I am reading it; if it's obvious what's going to happen that is a big turn off for me. Growing up, my favorite books weren't novels per se, but classics like Grimm's Fairytales, the Norse Myths, Arabian Nights and the short story collections of H.P. Lovecraft. You want randomness? Check out Grimm's, events are all over the place, often in the same short story.