Lyra Belacqua has lived a fairly care-free 11 years at Oxford, climbing and playing. One day, in hiding, she overhears her powerful uncle, Lord Asriel, tell of a city in the sky, in the Aurora Borealis, and of Dust that travels between the city and earth. He mounts an investigatory expedition and disappears into the far north, into Lapland. Meanwhile, "Gobblers" have been stealing children -- rich and poor, educated and nomadic -- and Lyra is sent to London to study under the beautiful and myterious Mrs. Coulter. Her caretaker at Oxford, the Master, gives her a golden compass called an alethiometer and tells Lyra she must learn how to read it. Eventually, she will join a team of warriors who will ship north to Lapland to find and rescue the stolen children. Pullman's 1995 novel creates an entire world filled with magic and intrigue. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world Spying & Investigations Yes What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement Political plotlets - factions fight within govt for control Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14) Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - a kid If magical mental powers: - can talk to animals - clairvoyant Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can change shapes - can read emotions Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters Setting Terrain Earth setting: - 20th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |