This is the second volume of Pullman's The Book of Dust, and honestly, if you have not read the first book, don't read this one --- it will make more sense if you're familiar with the first story. Or at least familiar with the world Pullman has created.
In this story, Lyra Silvertongue (a/k/a Lyra Belacqua) is 20 years old and an undergraduate at St. Sophia's College. However, all is not smooth with her life, as her daemon, Pantalaimon, has witnessed a brutal murder. Lyra and Pan aren't getting along, a fact which is worsened when Pan reveals that the dying man entrusted Pan with a secret. Lyra is also learning more about Malcolm Polstead's role in bringing her to Jordan College and as a result, is now traveling across Europe to find a desert said to hold the truth of Dust.
Okay, I admit it: I didn't love this story. There are a lot of heartbreaking moments in this book between Lyra and Pan and frankly, she's a jerk through much of the book. Which is frustrating. And, the story gets dry at times, so even though she is on a quest, there were times when I felt the story just dragged. Combined with her unlikable character at this point in the story, it made for a less enjoyable read than I had been expecting. I am hoping things redeem themselves in the next book.
No comments:
Post a Comment