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+





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