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The Golden Compass (Northern Lights)

The first book in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" fantasy novel trilogy.

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So much better than the movie

Jun 17, 2010

by Spacyocean
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

My daughter introduced me to this trilogy when she was in junior high school. The Golden Compass is a fantastic adventurous tale with a strong female heroine. The rich allegorical layers of the book make it a literary work that can be enjoyed by adults as well. Do not be dissuaded from reading this trilogy by the unpopularity of the children's movie based on this book.

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More The Golden Compass (Northern L... reviews

review by cpw1952. March 28, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A classic fantasy that will stand the test of time!

It is difficult to find enough superlatives to describe Philip Pullman's masterwork fantasy "The Golden Compass". Heart stopping adventure pitting good against insidious evil and weak against strong, a cast of magnificently crafted characters, compelling dialogue, a child's sense of awestruck wonder and insatiable curiosity, the heart wrenching sadness of unexpected death, a healthy serving of ultra-modern science and cosmology cleverly juxtaposed against a soupçon of old-fashioned … more

Comments (11) Compliments (48)

review by bookartist2010. June 16, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Possibly My #1 Favorite Book.

I first read this book at age 12, and I continue to read it and its sequels (The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass) every few years. I do this because every time I read them, I pick up on new and ever-more-complicated thematic issues through my changing worldview. The Golden Compass sets the stage for the course of the whole trilogy, but it could stand alone as well. It introduces themes of power and oppression, and abuse of religious doctrine and authority. … more

Comment Compliments (26)

Quick Tip by cyclone_march. February 23, 2011

A Quick Tip by cyclone_march

It's a great adventure story in a parallel universe where people's spirits (or souls, but that becomes problematic) exist as animals outside the body. Read it as an adventure tale and it will hold the attention. If you want to read it and the series because of its take on religion, then you are likely going to be disappointed. The book also contains the single ... meanest ... act ... of ... all ... time.

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Quick Tip by cpw1952. January 17, 2011

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by cpw1952

Heart stopping adventure pitting good against insidious evil and weak against strong, a cast of magnificently crafted characters, compelling dialogue and a child's sense of awestruck wonder and insatiable curiosity, Unfairly characterized as being anti-Christian (in my opinion), this is a book that should be in the classics section of libraries for many, many years to come.

Comments (1) Compliments (3)

review by Auroraxoxo. July 04, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Thought Provoking, Deep, Fascinating Book!! Must Read!

I picked up this book by browsing through the library and randomly choosing a book that I thought looked interesting, yet knew nothing about. I had never even heard about the author Phillip Pullman. This book took me on a literal ride and really made me think and even conduct some research after reading! The author takes you through a thrilling magical adventure, from polar bears who can talk to a parrallel world city in the sky. He develops the … more

Comments (2) Compliments (18)

Quick Tip by twit10. July 13, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by twit10

A great fantasy book. It is a good read and moves quickly.

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Quick Tip by rockinrw6. July 05, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by rockinrw6

This book is fantastic. It was great when I was younger, and it's still great now. It's a wonderfully exciting story.

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Quick Tip by Nectarfizz. June 25, 2010

A Quick Tip by Nectarfizz

Masterpiece literature. The concepts and dimensions of this book reach far beyond young adult reading. I am an adult and I am still drawn to the concepts of this book. Once you get past the Demon (daemon) aspect of this book you will love it. If you are willing to put aside old concepts of what a demon is, you will be more inclined to enjoy the book..since the official definition does not apply here.

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Quick Tip by lacangeek. June 24, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by lacangeek

One of the longest and most intriguing books from my youth. Couldn't put it down, powered through the trilogy within the space of a few months.

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Quick Tip by npalbonico. June 22, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by npalbonico

Great characters and a truly intriguing world. The (anti)religious polemic seemed heavy-handed and unfortunate.

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see all The Golden Compass (Northern L... reviews (19)

About the reviewer

Spacyocean
Ranked #1996

I am a retired book lover and library volunteer.

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About this book

Wiki

Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.

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