Author:Pullman, Philip
Title:The Golden Compass
Plot Summary: Lyra
Belaqua and her daemon Pantalaimon know that Lord Astriel's talk about the
Gobblers who take children and the North has to do with them but when she
asks if she can come he won't let her. Then Mrs. Coulter comes and Lyra
happily goes with her until she finds out that she is a Gobbler and wants
Lyra to help draw other children to her for terrible experiments so she
escapes. She finds Gyptions who help her on her journey to the North where
she must fulfill her destiny unknowingly.
Review:There are many characters throughout this book and you really seem to know them by the end. Lyra Belaqua, who is the main character, has a good mixture of good and negative qualities. The author makes her come alive by first describing her to us and then really giving her these qualities as she is doing things. Lyra is talkative, athletic, and smart. She gets in trouble a lot but is not afraid of the consequences. She once hid in the retiring room when she knew that children are forbidden to be there, yet she went in without fear. She is also a leader. She always organizes all games that the children play. All humans had daemons. Daemon's personalities were usually, to an extent, like their humans. For example, if a person wasn't very smart, the daemon wouldn't be smart either.
When the book ends, there is still a feeling of suspense. You still want to know what is going to happen to Lyra but it is left up to you. However, if you are really curios, there are 2 sequels to the Golden Compass.
I liked the way the author wrote this book. The plot was filled with suspense and surprises. The author writes it so that you are confused in the beginning and it becomes clearer and clearer until the end when everything falls into place. For example, in the beginning, you hear people talking about Lyra's future, but you don't understand it. At the end it all comes clear. You seem to understand things when Lyra does. The story travels with her but is not from her point of view.
Interest Level: Grades 7-10
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Quality: 4Q Popularity: 3P
(On a scale of one to five with five being the best.)
Reviewed by:Amy Rodgers
Grade:8
Date Reviewed:November 1, 1999
School:Littleton Jr. Sr. High School
City, State, Country:Littleton MA United States