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Philip Pullman
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La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One: From the world of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - now a major BBC series (Book of Dust Series) Hardcover – 19 Oct. 2017

by Philip Pullman (Author)
Teachers' pick
for school years 1–9
Eleven-year-old Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon, Asta, live with his parents at the Trout Inn near Oxford. Across the River Thames (which Malcolm navigates often using his beloved canoe, a boat by the name of La Belle Sauvage) is the Godstow Priory where the nuns live. Malcolm learns they have a guest with them; a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua . . .
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  1. Reading age
    12 - 17 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Book of Dust
  3. Print length
    560 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Dimensions
    16.2 x 5.5 x 24 cm
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Random House Children’s and David Fickling Books
  7. Publication date
    19 Oct. 2017
  8. ISBN-10
    0385604416
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0385604413
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  1. Ten years after this evening, and again ten years after that, Lyra would marvel at the colouring of that dæmon’s fur.
    Highlighted by 370 Kindle readers
  2. Then he set about the laborious task of transcribing it into code, and addressed it in an ordinary envelope to an insignificant part of central London.
    Highlighted by 365 Kindle readers
  3. He was liked when noticed, but not noticed much, and that did him no harm either.
    Highlighted by 361 Kindle readers
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Product description

Review

Pullman is an easeful storyteller and an intricate and inventive world-builder, and everything he has to write is worth reading. -- Sam Leith ― Telegraph

Fans of His Dark Materials will find themselves joyfully immersed in a familiar world of daemons, alethiometers, the evil Magisterium, friendly witches and foul night-ghasts, yet also delighted by Pullman's new material; meanwhile, awaiting first-time readers is all the pleasure of commencing their own journey into this most captivating of universes at the very beginning of Lyra's story. ― Independent

No one else writes like Pullman . . . terrifying, transporting, exhilarating - and entirely worth the 17-year wait. -- Imogen Russell Williams ― Metro

He is a master storyteller . . . Pullman creates a setting so evocative that I actually dreamed I was in it (my dog was my daemon). -- Rosamund Urwin ― Evening Standard

I am confident in pronouncing that people will love the first volume of Philip Pullman’s trilogy, The Book of Dust, with the same helpless vehemence that stole over them when The Golden Compass came out in the mid-’90s, or even when they first met their partners or held their newborn children . . . Reading this novel is like standing in a room in which suddenly all of the windows have blown open at once. ― Slate

From the Back Cover

Philip Pullman announces publication of the first volume of The Book of Dust, long-awaited 'equel' to His Dark Materials.

“What can I tell you about it? The first thing to say is that Lyra is at the centre of the story.” - Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman returns to the world of His Dark Materials with this magnificent new novel, set ten years before Northern Lights and featuring his much-loved character, Lyra Belacqua.
The Book of Dust is a work in three parts, like His Dark Materials. The first volume of The Book of Dust - which has been speculated about for years - will be published on Thursday 19 October 2017.
22 years after Northern Lights (July 1995) - the first of his world-famous HisDark Materials trilogy, which has sold more than 17.5m copies in over 40 languages - The Book of Dust will return to the parallel world that has enthralled readers young and old.

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About the author

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Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman

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PHILIP PULLMAN is one of the most acclaimed writers working today. He is best known for the His Dark Materials trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass), which has been named one of the top 100 novels of all time by Newsweek and one of the all-time greatest novels by Entertainment Weekly. He has also won many distinguished prizes, including the Carnegie Medal for The Golden Compass (and the reader-voted "Carnegie of Carnegies" for the best children's book of the past seventy years); the Whitbread (now Costa) Award for The Amber Spyglass; a Booker Prize long-list nomination (The Amber Spyglass); Parents' Choice Gold Awards (The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass); and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, in honor of his body of work. In 2004, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

It has recently been announced that The Book of Dust, the much anticipated new book from Mr. Pullman, also set in the world of His Dark Materials, will be published as a major work in three parts, with the first part to arrive in October 2017.

Philip Pullman is the author of many other much-lauded novels. Other volumes related to His Dark Materials: Lyra’s Oxford, Once Upon a Time in the North, and The Collectors. For younger readers: I Was a Rat!; Count Karlstein; Two Crafty Criminals; Spring-Heeled Jack, and The Scarecrow and His Servant. For older readers: the Sally Lockhart quartet: The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, and The Tin Princess; The White Mercedes; and The Broken Bridge.

Philip Pullman lives in Oxford, England. To learn more, please visit philip-pullman.com and hisdarkmaterials.com. Or follow him on Twitter at @PhilipPullman.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
23,947 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book's storytelling compelling, with one describing it as a gripping teenager's adventure story. Moreover, they appreciate its readability as a relaxing read, and consider it a worthy predecessor to the Dark Materials trilogy. Additionally, they praise the character development, particularly Mal and Alice, and the writing quality, with one noting the author's ability to write for a wide age-range. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews, with some finding it exciting while others describe it as painfully slow.
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201 customers mention storytelling, 165 positive, 36 negative
Customers praise the storytelling in this book, describing it as compelling and intelligent, with one customer noting that the philosophy aspects are well-integrated into the narrative.
...it was worth the wait. It was a great story and can pass as a stand alone, separate from the trilogy, however having read the other books does add...Read more
I loved this book, brilliant story and excellent characters, His dark materials books are some of my fav so was overjoyed to find that this book...Read more
A good story with dark twists and turns the quality of the book and cover art work is lovely has a nice velvet soft touchRead more
Hard to put down. Cant wait for the next. Excellent story, well worth reading. As good as his others if not betterRead more
183 customers mention enjoyment, 167 positive, 16 negative
Customers find the book highly engaging and exciting, describing it as a thrilling adventure.
Absolutely fantastic - thought-provoking, exciting, emotional. Well worth the long wait. Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy very much.Read more
...book immediately transported me back into that world, thrilling and enjoyable.Read more
Interesting but not as compelling as the previous books, although I suppose it's scene setting the trilogy, and on that basis, the next book should...Read more
A bit slow to start and intriguing as to how the story links to Lyra. I do need to read the next book though as I want to know what happens nextRead more
161 customers mention readability, 157 positive, 4 negative
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an absorbing and compulsive read that is easy to relax with, with one customer noting it's a must-read for those who enjoy magic.
...Still a great read but knocked a star off as I wanted to know more about the backstory. Hoping this will be in the other books as ai read on.Read more
An excellent read. Fast enough paced a good prequel to His Dark Materials. Could be read either before or after the larger work.Read more
...book isn't quite as good as His Dark Materials but nevertheless an enjoyable read that was easy to read in evenings after work to wind down....Read more
Interesting, it kept me gripped. A very good read with only the very occasional use of the word “presently” - comparative to the original three! 😜...Read more
109 customers mention prequel, 99 positive, 10 negative
Customers praise this prequel as a worthy predecessor to the Dark Materials trilogy, describing it as one of the most enchanting fantasy series.
I was lucky that I discovered Phillip Pullman late. This is a great prequel which sets up the his dark materials trilogy perfectly....Read more
Brilliant book. an excellent sequel and so long awaited, but well worth the wait - .imaginative, original, inventive, Pullman is unique.Read more
Good prequelRead more
an excellent prequel to the 'his dark materials' saga....Read more
102 customers mention character development, 99 positive, 3 negative
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the solid and brave protagonist, and the introduction of new main characters.
A joy to read. A story that flows faster and faster and great characters. At the end you want more but are glad of the break to catch your breath.Read more
Fantastic prequel. Loved the characters and the story, can't wait for the next oneRead more
...I enjoyed the first half which has some great characterisation and storytelling, but found the second half less engaging somehow....Read more
Phillip Pullman's story telling is amazing. The characters come alive and you struggle to put it down. Loved it and can't wait for the second book.Read more
91 customers mention writing quality, 86 positive, 5 negative
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting that the author masterfully caters to a wide age range.
...Like his dark materials trilogy, well written you just get lost in the story, so many twists and turns, great characters I just didn’t want it to end...Read more
What a beautifully written book, really good to get Lyras back story but also a lot more history and character from the seriesRead more
...Brilliantly written and well paced throughout. Loved and am currently reading the second book as I review this the first.Read more
As beautifully written as the original trilogy. Cleverly written with greater insight into the mythical subcultures of the witches etc, and all...Read more
36 customers mention looks, 33 positive, 3 negative
Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning its gorgeous presentation in hardback and another appreciating the mood and pictures.
Unputdownable. Thrilling, beautiful and throbbing with emotional truth, Pullman has truly refined his storytelling. Highly recommended to all....Read more
Haven't read it myself as it is a Christmas present for someone. Looks good thoughRead more
The book looks great but there was a two and a half hour full book reading reading on BBC 4 the day it arrived....Read more
Beautiful book in every way - so happy to revisit Lyra and her world and can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy.Read more
121 customers mention pacing, 64 positive, 57 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it exciting and wonderful, while others describe it as painfully slow.
Unputdownable. Thrilling, beautiful and throbbing with emotional truth, Pullman has truly refined his storytelling. Highly recommended to all....Read more
Not a patch on the trilogy, I was so disappointed!Read more
Fast paced. Age appropriate except for some fruity language. Loved the interweave of realism and magic. Looking forward to the next text. .😀...Read more
Not the northern lights, too much of a cliff hanger and too long to wait for another book to be written!Read more