Pullman, Phillip: The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass
Author: Phillip Pullman
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 399
Final Thoughts: Intriguing; I'm interested to see where it goes, but not convinced I'll like the final destination.
Yet again, The Golden Compass comes from a list of books that have been recommended to me more than once. I do try to keep track of these sorts of things and intersperse them with books I find on my own, but sometimes it works better than others. At any rate, several people have recommended Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, and this is the first volume. I have to admit that my interest was jump-started by finding info for the movie, which should be coming out this winter.
It's generally found in the YA section of libraries, but I've seen the books just as often in the general fantasy section of various bookstores. The reading level is appropriate for a precocious child, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for them. As it was, I didn't feel like I was reading a children's book.
In terms of plot and characterization, I felt like things flowed fairly well, development happened where it should have, and in general things made sense as they progressed. I didn't find any glaring errors in characterization, either in the sense that one of the characters shouldn't have reacted in a certain way in relation to their own tendencies or in relation to the tendencies of anyone their age/gender/etc.
The story is exciting and unique, with some really interesting ideas that I'm sure any number of people wish they'd come up with first. This volume takes place entirely in an alternate universe, but ends with the characters preparing to cross a bridge into our own, thanks to what I can only describe as magic Dust, whose properties have not yet been fully explained. Clear references to Milton's famous Paradise works make me wish I were more familiar with those pieces of literature, but don't detract too greatly from enjoyment - just that I like to ferret out the extras when I have time.
I seem to almost always end up with a favorite character who seems rather random to me, and this book's Random Favorite is Iorek the Bear King. I can't even tell you why, but of any of the characters, he's the one I'd really like to know more about - both past and future.
Perhaps the theme that stuck out most strongly to me is that of the corruption and evil inherent in institutions, particularly religious systems. In fact all the adults in the story are either helpless or downright evil, including (and especially) the protagonist's parents, with the notable exceptions of the "gyptians" and Iorek. Of course, one can make the point that this is an alternate universe and doesn't necessarily represent Real Life, but I've yet to meet a writer who doesn't use their fantasy writing to comment on the Real World from a new direction. I believe in free speech as much as the next guy, but in the end I have a feeling I'll ending up disagreeing with both Pullman's points and his tactic of packaging this as a children's story in an attempt to plant atheistic ideas early on.
Anyone thinking about handing this to your children, I'd recommend reading it first and deciding whether the kiddos are old enough to debrief after reading to see where things line up with your beliefs and values (Christian, athiest, or anything) or whether it might be best left for a later date.
But I can't say it's the same old approach, and I did very much enjoy the storytelling even if I don't agree with the underlying message, as it were.
Book #25