Lyra's Oxford

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Product Details

Author : Philip Pullman
Binding : Paperback
EAN : 9780375843693
Edition : Pap/Map Re
Number of Pages : 64
Product Group : Book
Publication Date : 2007-09-25
Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading Level : Young Adult
Release Date : 2007-09-25

ASIN : 0375843698

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Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com

Attention all serious book collectors and fans of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. This undoubtedly beautiful package—cloth-bound in a classy red and adorned by numerous illustrations by master engraver and illustrator John Lawrence—is a must-purchase. A pint-sized pocket volume, Lyra's Oxford packages together a short story set in the same universe as his famous trilogy, a fold-out map of the alternate-reality city of Oxford, a short brochure for a cruise to The Levant aboard the S.S. Zenobia, and a postcard from the inventor of the amber spyglass, Mary Malone. Pullman, in his introduction, suggests that the peripheral items within "might be connected with the story, or they might not; they might be connected to stories that haven't appeared yet. It's difficult to tell."

A very sumptuous and lovingly crafted but tantalizingly brief book , Lyra's Oxford begins when Lyra and Pantalaimon spot a witch's daemon called Ragi being pursued over the rooftops of Oxford by a frenzied pack of birds. The daemon heads straight for Lyra (the creature was given Lyra's name as somebody who might help) and is given shelter. Together Lyra and Pan try to guide the daemon to the home of Sebastian Makepeace—an alchemist living in a part of Oxford known as Jericho—but it is a journey fraught with more danger than they had at first anticipated. (Age 10 and over) --John McLay

Customer Reviews

The continuing adventures of Lyra a Silvertongue (2008-01-30)

"This book contains a story in several other things. The other things might be connected with the story, or they might not; they might be connected to stories that haven't appeared yet. It's not easy to tell." It has now been a couple of years since Lyra had her adventures in the dark materials. She is now settled in the Oxford of her world. Lying on the roof with her daemon, Pantalaimon (From: Pine marten) Lyra speculates on the meaning of the random movements of birds. Little did Lyra realize that this would soon bring her to a new adventure in the search for a well known alchemist; and a new understanding of witches, and life in general. This story can easily be a trial balloon for a new book. ------------------------------------------------------------ The unabridged production on one compact disk may be a tad more expensive. However it is performed by the author and a full cast on top of this is not a well-designed case and a pamphlet tells a little bit about the beginning of the book also includes some of the materials that he describes the beginning it might've been lost between worlds. There are some pictures of Oxford that might be the real one might not. And a foldout map of Lyra's Oxford. Bill Pullman sounds awful lot like Jim Dale as he begins his story with a quote from Oskar Baedecker's "The Coast of Bohemia."

A little Gem (2004-11-17)

The design of this book is so elegant it feels like a treasure slipped out of Lyra's world and into ours. The story is concise and intriguing, but perhaps more suited to Pulman's grown-up fans, as it doesn't have a lot of plot.

quite... small (2004-09-09)

even at the discounted price, the book still felt quite small, relative to cost. however, it is indeed necessary for all fans of his dark materials. while the story is ... small, the included materials do give us hope for the upcoming book of dust. and the illustrations are beautiful.

A tightly woven fable (2004-05-31)

Taking his fan base completely by surprise (those members of his fan base that aren't ardent followers anyway) Philip Pullman has added a new chapter to the "His Dark Materials" saga. The series that catapulted Pullman from a minor children's literature existence to magnificent and overwhelming kiddie lit super-stardom has a new book to its name. Entitled "Lyra's Oxford", the book is consists of the following: A quote, an introduction, a story, and ephemera. This book is merely a small link to the further adventures to follow, it seems. As such, it stands as a perfect little entity within its own right. The plot found in this book is nothing so much as a short story. Some 43 pages long it tells the tale of Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon. A quick note: If you haven't read any of the other "His Dark Materials Books" you could probably slog through this novella, though I wouldn't recommend it. Exposition isn't dwelt on here. The tale begins when Lyra and Pan spot a wayward daemon of a witch being attacked by a flock of starlings. After rescuing the much maligned creature the daemon bird tells them that he is frantically searching for a man named Makepeace. Lyra and Pan are charged to find this man and help the daemon save his mistress from death. Stirring stuff and a nice little story in its own right. Here we finally get a glimpse into Lyra's daily life. Jordan College has been fleshed out a little more and we meet various professors and students as Lyra searches for information about Makepeace. By the end of the tale, more questions have been raised than answered but barring the unfortunate death of the author (not likely) we'll have further Lyra goings on to look forward to soon. If I've any problems with the book they probably stem from a single moment. Not to give anything away, Lyra is faced at some point with almost certain danger and/or death. In summoning her courage the girl thinks to herself, "Will-Will-be like Will-". Huh? This is the first moment our spunky heroine has EVER pretended to be anyone else in order to face her fears. This suggests that we are dealing with a softer gentler Lyra, a thought confirmed when Pullman writes that for Lyra, "the slightest thing had the power to move her to pity and distress". I miss the old headstrong Lyra. The strong independent Lyra. There are glimpses of her here, but not enough to fully put my mind at rest. I can only hope that the future books will remember that old Lyra better than this book does. Now the story I was describing was actually entitled "Lyra and the Birds". "Lyra's Oxford" is the name of the book itself and it is a great deal more interesting. Here we can find maps of Oxford, postcards (one from Mary Malone herself!), photographs, advertisements, pages from old books, and a variety of other odds and ends. The effect is nothing so much as a childlike version of the "Griffin and Sabine" books, once so popular. In his introduction to the book, Pullman reflects that these little bits and pieces of ourselves that are sometimes the most telling. While their importance may remain hidden to us for now, readers are advised to hold onto this book tightly for future reference. It is obviously awash in clues that will become clearer in time. I myself was particularly interested in one of the advertisements for a book entitled, "The Bronze Clocks of Benin". Its author, Marisa Coulter, may stir a couple memories here and there. And there and here. Altogether, I'd say the book's a delicate and successful composition. Its back cover advertises it as "beguiling" and I am inclined to agree. Some people may complain that for its price it is relatively small. Others will pore for hours over the various countries in Lyra's world (advertised by the "Globetrotter") and possible cruise destinations. If you're a fan of a book that will allow you to pick apart thousands of ideas and clues, I think you'll find "Lyra's Oxford" charming.

Could this little book be leading to something more??? (2004-04-28)

As an avid lover of the Dark Materials, I was excited to see this book on the shelf. I picked it up immediatley.I have to admit, yes the book is short, containing a story of approx. 49 pages. It is a quick read and not to the depth of the Dark Materials trilogy... HOWEVER, upon reading the introduction this leads me to believe there is something more on the horizon (or at least I'm hoping so). I believe that anyone who is a fan of the Dark Materials will enjoy this little tid bit for what it is. It takes place after the trilogy and shows how life has gone on for Lyra and Pan. It leads me to the conclusion that more is to come... Pullman is a delightful writer. His words are wonderful and picturesque. I highly recommend this to any fan of The Dark Materials.

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