The Golden Compass: Captivating, Magical, and Unforgettable

Philip Pullman’s novel The Golden Compass is the first book in the His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy. It follows a young girl, Lyra Belacqua, on a quest to save her friend Roger from a dark and ominous society. This secret organization has always instilled fear in children and adults alike.

Twelve-year old Lyra is an orphan who lives in Jordan College, Oxford, England. Her only relative, an uncle named Lord Asriel, is a very powerful and wealthy explorer. He was the one who put Lyra in the care of the College. One day, Lyra catches the Master of Jordan College slipping poison in Lord Asriel’s wine, right before a big conference. She warns her uncle in time. Then at her uncle’s bidding, she hides in a closet during the conference to spy on the Master. What she discovers alters her life forever. The reader will have to wait until the end of the book for the author to reveal the unexpected twist. 

The Golden Compass is set in a world like ours, but not exactly the same. All humans in this book have animals that they are born with, called dæmons. Dæmons represent humans’ souls in the form of animals. Until humans reach puberty, their dæmons can change shapes into whatever animal they choose. There’s also a limit to the amount of distance humans can put between themselves and their dæmons. The biggest rule surrounding dæmons is that humans can NEVER touch others’ dæmons.

Lyra is the fearless protagonist. She’s brave, kind, and compassionate. I loved discovering The Golden Compass through her perspective.

There are other great characters, such as Lord Faa, the leader of the western gyptians. Lord Faa is a practical and thoughtful man and the organizer of the expedition to rescue the kids in the North. Serafina Pekkala is the queen of a witch clan, a powerful and wise ally. Roger is Lyra’s best friend. He has known her forever; they grew up together and are almost always by each other’s sides. Of course, there’s also Pantalaimon (Pan), Lyra’s dæmon, her lifelong companion.  

The great bear Iorek Byrnison is the character I liked most. I would have him as my dæmon if that was possible because he has such an engrossing personality. Lyra meets Iorek when the gyptians take a layover in Trollesund. Iorek was a prince from Svalbard (where the bears live) who was thrown into exile after killing another bear. When Iorek arrives at Trollesund, he is tricked and drugged, and the humans take his steel armor. Bears are great at metal-bending and Iorek has been a slave for the locals ever since his exile. Thanks to Lyra, Iorek does get his armor back and agrees to help the gyptians in their search for the kidnapped kids. The thing I love most about Iorek is his integrity. He is a mighty warrior with dignity, strength, and honour. Throughout the book, Iorek develops a sense of protectiveness for Lyra, which is very endearing. Iorek and Lyra form a deep bond of trust and love, both willing to do anything to save the other.

The last chapter is absorbing and eloquent. I could tell I was nearing the end of the book, and I liked how there was a sudden spike in action and suspense. I was gripping the pages, eager to get to the next chapter. Philip Pullman’s writing was so descriptive that I had a vivid image of what was happening in my head. There was a kind of intense, end-of-the-world feeling. The Golden Compass ended on a slight cliffhanger, which makes the reader desperate to get the sequel.

If I had to choose one preferred scene in The Golden Compass, I would choose Iorek Byrnison’s duel against Iofur Raknison. This duel would decide who would become the king of the bears. I enjoyed this scene because it was so full of action. Pullman’s description was so stimulating that I felt as if the fight was happening right in front of me. This battle was very climactic and emanated a feeling of decisiveness: “Iofur had begun to take them in one direction, and Iorek would take them in another, and in the same moment, one future would close forever as the other began to unfold.” (Pullman, page 349) The bears have many rituals that they follow before and after a duel, which makes beardom even more interesting to read.

In The Golden Compass, the pacing isn’t the same all throughout the book. During serious and dramatic scenes, the descriptions give you a very clear image of what is going on. During more lighthearted and funny moments, it’s pleasant and inviting.

When it’s a very high-action scene, the pacing is fast and captivating, to the point where it’s almost dizzying to read. I like the varying paces Philip Pullman uses because it’s like each moment or scene has its own way of flowing along the storyline. These differences in pace give the reader time to take in all the information and still stay absorbed in the novel.

The Golden Compass is an irresistible page-turner teeming with magic, adventure, many unexpected twists, and gripping details. The thrill, the excitement, and the action all contribute to making this novel an unforgettable one. I felt engaged reading this book. The Golden Compass invites you to embrace yourself, be brave, and trust that you can accomplish what you put your mind to. If you’re looking for a novel full of mystery, likable characters, and an entrancing plot with an underlying inspiring message, The Golden Compass is for you.