The Golden Compass
Lyra Belacqua is an eleven year old with a predetermined destiny. It is a destiny she must remain unaware of, or
as the elders around her admit, she would be to fearful to carry on. But Lyra is anything but fearful. She is
boisterous, strong, clever, determined, compassionate, and above all, courageous. The novel changes pace and storylines
and moves at a fast rate, constantly escalating in suspense -- Lyra's fearless courage is a constant throughout.
This book is an exceptional example of the fantasy genre. The novel takes place in a world similar to the human
world in many ways but clearly different - perhaps the first glimpse of the difference is that all humans in Lyra's world
possess daemons. Lyra's daemon is Pantalaimon. But other worlds exist too - worlds of bears, witches, magical
creatures and an "other world" entirely in the stars. All these worlds coexist, however, and the reader is taken through
many of them.
The primary emphasis of the novel is on Lyra's quest. She sets out originally to free her friend Roger from the
Gobblers, a group that steals children and performs experiments on them. But Lyra's quest evolves into something bigger
than she could have ever imagined, and she finds herself in a battle against evil, where she is one of the few people willing
to stand for what is true and right. The final sentences of the novel demonstrate her courage:
"She [Lyra] turned away. Behind them lay pain and death and fear; ahead of them lay doubt, and danger,
and fathomless mysteries. But they weren't alone. So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were
born in and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky."
Lyra's character is a strong, courageous young girl - so devoted to her quest that she never has time to become overly
fearful or to quit. Even when she is betrayed by her own father, she carries on with courage into the other world.
Lyra herself represents the possibilities of being a child; that is, after all, why the Gobblers are after children.
They represent life and freedom from encumbrance. Lyra is full of life and spirit, giving readers a true heroine to
relate to. Yet even in her bravest moments she is still a curious young girl who has a knack for lying at the drop of
a hat and acting on impulses - all the more reason she is able to delight readers of the novel.
The Golden Compass possesses such broad imaginative scope and ingenuity that it is hard to put down. The
language is tightly woven and impressive, not wavering in composition from beginning to end. According to the
Horn Book Magazine, The Golden Compass is "touching, exciting, and mysterious by turns. . . a splendid work"
(A.A.F. 1996).
Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1995.
