His Dark Materials Revisited

I've started re-reading Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass (Northern Lights). I'm afraid I rather rushed through trilogy the first time I read it and I'm sure I missed a lot as a result.

This time round, I plan to discuss the books as I read them, with a friend of mine who is coming to them for the first time. I think it's going to be great.

Already, just less than 50 pages into the story, I'm noticing much more than I did the last time. And I find that knowing what's going to happen doesn't make the book any less interesting. In fact, it seems much more sinister and forboding now that I'm fully aware of the fates of everyone involved.

I recently bought the Yearling edition (above) of the books to replace my Del Rey ones (which I gave to my aforementioned friend). I like the Yearling covers much more - I find tacky graphics so distracting! The Del Reys aren't at all bad, but they remind me of a Hollywood action movie, especially the cover for The Subtle Knife!

The Del Rey edition for HDM Book II (far left): Not terribly subtle.

Someone said to me that the Yearling version is babyish, to which I say: "Bah! Go away!" I love it. I think it speaks volumes about Lyra and Will's innocence before things start getting really pear-shaped in the next book. And The Amber Spyglass cover is just as perfect!

Comments

[lyzzy]

I don't know what edition they are, or who are their publishers, but the hardcover editions of His Dark Materials at the British Council library are the most beautiful things ever! *drools*

[Izuan]

Heya Daph =) I've been a fan of your blog for a while now, I just don't know why I've never told you. Well, I've paid tribute to it by linking it on my new blog that's up. The address is above ... do check it out!

And oh, you make Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials sound so enticing. =>