Book Review - "La Belle Sauvage" Book of Dust Volume One by Philip Pullman

You may have overheard me telling people recently that I think Philip Pullman is the Hilary Mantel of children's fiction.
Too bold?  Or strange?
It's true that Philip Pullman certainly doesn't need any comparisons, he is as beloved a children's author as Hilary Mantel is celebrated for her literary fiction.
But let me tell you why I say this.  You see, it occurred to me whilst reading La Belle Sauvage (the first book in Pullman's new companion series to His Dark Materials series) that their books are akin in many ways.  The broad scope, terrific characterisations and their ability to take the narrative to a dark place, but never lose the humour (droll as it may be) are all compellingly similar.


His Dark Materials started with Northern Lights, in which we meet Lyra and her gyptian friend, Roger, in the city of Oxford.  It is a world parallel to our own, in which human beings are attached to animal daemons by a dark matter known as Dust.  The novels traverse through parallel universes in a Miltonesque manner, following the understanding of Dust.
Such is the sophistication of this bildungsroman, where concepts of physics, philosophy and theology are utilised in the storytelling, that this series has long been a favourite of adult readers and children alike.

La Belle Sauvage does not let fans down - there are so many wonderful scenes to enjoy and new characters to meet.  In this book we meet Lyra when she is just a baby and is accompanied by the boy Malcolm, who would be her protector.
The reading of this new instalment is enhanced if you have read His Dark Materials, but there really is no reason why you can't start here - except for the fact that you would have to wait for the rest of this story to play out in subsequent volumes before starting Northern Lights.  
And that might be a test of will too much to bear.
But if you are waiting for the third part of Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy to be finished, why not take a look at Philip Pullman for something to share with the kids in the meantime... you'll love it.

Ages 12+





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

First Chapters Q&A with Justin Heazlewood

Image
Justin Heazlewood is an award-winning writer, musician and comic.  As the Bedroom Philosopher he has released three albums.  He was a senior writer for frankie for five years. His books include The Bedroom Philosopher Diaries and Funemployed . Justin will be reading from his new book Get Up Mum at First Chapters on Friday 6 July. We asked Justin some general bookish questions because we were interested in finding out more about him and this is what he had to say. 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a chapter from your published work.  Tell us what we can expect from the chapter you have chosen? It’s written in the voice of a twelve year old ‘Heazy.’ It’s the infamous Heazlewood family slide night. Pop and I loved getting out the slides and clicking through. I like it as the opening scene of the book because ‘time’ is a theme and looking back is a default. 2. How would you describe the kind of books that you write? Personal. Funny. Honest. Championing mental he
Read more

First Chapters Q&A with HC Gildfind

Image
HC Gildfind lives in Melbourne and has published short stories, poetry, essays and book reviews in Australia and overseas.  Gildfind has also researched interwar Australian literature and history and has been mentored by novelist Andrea Goldsmith.  She will be reading from her book of short stories  The Worry Front . We asked HC some general bookish questions because we were interested in finding out more about her and this is what she had to say. 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a story from your short story collection.  Tell us what we can expect from the story you have chosen? I’ll read one of two stories. The voices of the characters in ‘ Eat. Shit. Die .’ are energetic, funny and engaging (or so I think!), and my affection for them is hopefully contagious in a public reading. ‘ The Wished For ’ is a much more subtle and dark story, but the tension which drives it will hopefully grip an audience. 2. How would you describe the kinds of books that you write?
Read more

First Chapters Q&A with Saradha Koirala

Image
Saradha Koirala is a Nepali/Pakeha writer and poet from Aotearoa.  She teaches English, Literature and Creative Writing in Melbourne.  She is the author of three poetry collections and a teen novel.  Koirala also writes literature reviews and has interviewed international authors and covered events such as the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival.   Saradha will be reading from her book of poetry Photos of the Sky for us at First Chapters on Friday 3 May . 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a chapter from your published work.  Tell us what we can expect from the chapter you have chosen? My latest book is a collection of poetry, so I thought I would read the first 8-10 poems (they’re quite short). The book is in four sections and the first is titled ‘Reach’ as in to stretch out for something. The section contains poems I wrote while still living in Wellington, but starting to long to move over to Melbourne. The first few are very Wellingtony – weather and h
Read more