The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
Bibliography:
Pullman, P. The Golden Compass. Dell Yearling. (1995).
Summary:
Raised as a half-wild, orphan child on the grounds of Jordan College in Oxford, England, Lyra lives in ignorance of the happenings and tensions of the world around her. Through her trouble-making adventures, Lyra has a strange encounter with her uncle, Lord Arisel, and is introduced to the idea of Dust- something that the Church fears and men know little about. It is the quest of Lord Arisel to discover the source and purpose of the Dust, and Lyra wants nothing more than to accompany him on his adventures. Soon she is swept up in adventure of her own as she and the people of England learn of the disappearances of children throughout the country. Lyra sets out on a mission to find and rescue the captured children, suspecting that their disappearance is connected to the mystery of the Dust. She soon finds herself in the presence of Gobblers herself, escapes, and makes her way to the great North where the captive children are held, determined to set them free.
Aiding Lyra along the way are her daemon, an animal-like creature that is a physical representation of a human's soul (all humans have them) and an alethiometer, a golden compass of sorts that serves as a guide in decision-making for those that know how to read it. Through the use of this "golden compass," Lyra is guided in her journey to defend children from the worst fate imaginable- separation from their daemons. Though she is but a child, Lyra must muster the courage and strength to fight against powers greater than she, and be willing to risk her own life to save many.
Thoughts:
I had not heard of The Golden Compass until the release of the movie a few years ago sparked controversy and debate. Wanting to discern the nature of the story for myself, I chose to read this book as a Fantasy choice.
The book to me was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. The setting is defined but vague; the reader knows the story takes place in both England and the northern Arctic lands, but is also aware that it is a different time, with other-worldly influences. Travelling in barges and zeppelins, referring to different types of light and electricity, and the presence of daemons, animal creatures that are tied to the soul of their human companions, lets the reader know that this world is not reality.
Lyra, the main character, is all that an uncontrolled, eleven-year-old child should be. She is insolent, adventuresome, uneducated and unrefined, but still posesses and voices her fears and uncertainties. Lyra is a heroine, but one with visible and believable weaknesses. She is captured, and almost captured, escapes and fails to escape, and sees her mistakes and misunderstandings as they occur. However, there is an element of boldness and cleverness that makes the reader admire her actions and thoughts, and it is obvious why she was a good choice as a heroine.
I had a hard time keeping the "scientific" elements of the story straight in my head, especially regarding the Dust, as it is greatly undefined until the end, and even then retains some mystery. The relationships between the daemons and their human counterparts was an interesting concept, and kept me questioning how their relationship would benefit and protect each other. As a whole I found the book enjoyable, and it was not until the end that I found myself questioning its intent. Though I realize that this story is fantasy, it was hard for me to appreciate the author's misquoting and use of the Bible for the purpose of propelling his own story. I do not mind the fictional ideas and storylines that even reference something in the Bible, but I do mind that the actual words of Scripture were changed and still quoted as authoritative. The positive aspect of this poetic license is that it causes the reader to question what is real and what is fantasy, and could spark great debate and searching for Truth amidst fiction. I find that I want to read the other books in the series to find the resolution that was lacking at the end of this first book.
Reviews:
"A novel set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own, Lyra, apparently an orphan, lives among the Scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. She becomes aware of a nefarious plot to steal children and transport them to the far north. As Lyra is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery, she finds that the children are being made to suffer terribly. What she does not and must not know is that she is the keystone in an ancient prophecy.... This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters. The armored bears are wonderful and more interesting than most of the humans. There is some fine descriptive writing, filled with the kind of details that encourage suspension of disbelief. The storyline moves along at a rapid clip, but flags when it delves into philisophical matters. The ending is less than satisfying, but serves as a lead-in to part two of the series." - School Library Journal
"In the first of a planned trilogy, Pullman has created a wholly developed universe, which is, as he states, much like our own but different in many ways- a world in which humans are paired with animal "daemons" that seem like alter egos, only with personalities of their own.... Filled with fast-paced action, the plot involves a secret scientific facility, where children are being severed from their daemons; warring factions; witch clans; an outcast armored bear, who bonds with Lyra, and more. It becomes evident that the future of the world and its inhabitants is in the hands of the ever-more-resilient and dedicated Lyra. A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels." - Booklist
Ideas for Use:
Throughout the book it becomes evident that a person's daemon is a representation of who they are. As children grow and mature, their daemons take on various shapes, until settling into a shape that suits them and truly characterizes themselves and their humans. Make a list as a group of animals and certain qualities they embody (ex. dogs = loyalty; otters = playfulness, etc.).Have the students brainstorm and make a list of qualities and personality traits they see in themselves. After determining their major characteristics, have them choose a "daemon" animal that would best suit them in this other world represented in The Golden Compass.
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