Philip Pullman
Now that The Amber Spyglass, the eagerly awaited final book in the trilogy "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman is in print, it is flying off the shelves. Those of us who attended Book Expo America this past June had an opportunity to hear author Philip Pullman read an excerpt. The title refers to a little telescope made by Dr. Mary Malone, a scientist in the new book. Most of us probably would have purchased it on the spot, but we knew that it would be a few more months before it would be available, because as he reported, it wasn't finished yet.
But there are many other books of his that have generated interest over the years, including one of his earlier books The Ruby in the Smoke (1984, Knopf), a mystery set in nineteenth-century London, and The Broken Bridge (1992, Knopf,) in which Ginny, an outsider in her Welsh village discovers that she has a white half-brother. She then sets out to learn the truth and begins to understand the vague memories of her childhood. This compelling story received a starred review in School Library Journal. Both are still in print.
Pullman spent his early childhood years traveling the world but also spent a good deal of time in North Wales, undoubtedly the reason for choosing that locale for some of his stories. He now lives in Oxford where he taught for many years, but now devotes his full energies to writing. He told us that he writes in a shed at the bottom of his garden. It is equipped with chairs, books and a six-foot-long stuffed rat. Perhaps that was also the inspiration for I Was a Rat, a real twist on the Cinderella story (review this page).
During the last several years while working on "His Dark Materials," several other books have appeared. Clockwork (1998, Scholastic) according to our reviewer is a smaller story steeped in the traditions of fantasy and fairy tale and a book that will haunt you through complex characters, unusual settings, and an intriguing plot. The Firework-Maker's Daughter (1999, Scholastic) about which our reviewer Kathleen Karr commented-this offering is far from dark and Gothic. It is a light and cheerful fable describing the adventures of Lila, whose desire to follow in her father's footsteps as a firework-maker takes her on a quest up and into a volcano in search of the secrets of fire.
For more about Philip Pullman, visit his website www.philip-pullman.com
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
The Broken Bridge
Philip Pullman
An outsider in her Welsh village sixteen-year-old Ginny discovers that she has a white half-brother. She then sets out to learn the truth and begins to understand the vague memories of her childhood. This compelling story received a starred review in School Library Journal. 1992, Knopf/Bullseye, $16.00 and $4.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-679-91972-4
ISBN: 0-679-84715-4
Clockwork
Philip Pullman
How will Fritz the storyteller end the story he is relating to townspeople in the White Horse tavern? Karl, one of the listeners, is the clockmaker's apprentice. He has failed to make a new figure for the town clock and he dreads the humiliation he will face the next day. He is so entranced with Fritz's story that he doesn't care. Without warning, one of the characters of Fritz's story appears in the tavern, the evil clockmaker Dr. Kalmenius. Kalmenius offers Karl a clockwork figure with diabolical power. Sir Ironsoul is his name. Upon hearing the word "devil," he will stab the speaker in the throat! What will Karl do? To find out, you'll have to read this gothic fable. Pullman's books haunt you through complex characters, unusual settings, and intriguing plots. 1998, Levine/Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
ISBN: 0-590-12999-6
Clockwork
Philip Pullman
Illustrations by Leonid Gore
Pullman takes a sabbatical from his brilliant "His Dark Materials" trilogy to tell a smaller story steeped in the traditions of fantasy and fairy tale. In a small, medieval German town it is the evening before the local clockwork apprentice will unveil his masterwork for the town clock. Karl is morose because he has not completed his project. Enter the storyteller Fritz, Gretl, the innkeeper's young daughter, a mysterious prince, and the devil in disguise, as the story flashes backward and forward with the inexorableness of clockwork. 1998, Arthur E. Levine/Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-590-12999-6
Clockwork
Philip Pullman
Illustrations by Leonid Gore
The narrator invites the reader into the "old days" of a small German town where superstition and fascination with the mysteries of life are woven into the daily experiences of townsfolk. Upon entering the small local tavern on a cold snowy evening, the townsfolk are gathered in anticipation of the great event that takes place on the morrow. Karl, the young clockmaker's apprentice, is schedule to unveil his new figure for the great clock of Glockenheim. Two seemingly separate tales unfold through the character, Fritz the Storyteller, as he tells his new, unfinished tale to those present. Reminiscent of Grimm's Fairy Tales, the reader enters the dark world of magic, forests and suspense with "Prince Florian." The magic of Pullman is that he intertwines the present and the make-believe into a reality filled with greed, danger and bravery. Although the mood is somber, the young heroine, Gretl, surmounts the intangible obstacles through her simple goodness of heart. Pullman's style of writing elicits such strong visual images that one can feel the warmth from the fireplace and the snow swirls outside the little tavern window. The soft shadings of the 23 black and white illustrations complement the dimensions of mystery and elusiveness in the story by adding intensity to the text. A notable feature of this book is the 5 x 7-inch size. It retains the intimacy that the story elicits and fits snugly into the hand. This is a story that can be read aloud by families or privately by older readers. 1998, Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Christine Hudak
ISBN: 0-590-12999-6
Count Karlstein
Philip Pullman
Set in Switzerland in a time long ago, Hildi, maid at the castle of the evil Count, overhears a plot to sacrifice the Count's two nieces to the demon huntsman in return for a rich and long life. As All Soul's Eve approaches, Hildi wonders how can she protect them and who can she trust to help her. A gripping adventure, rich with fantasy and humor, this tale will be enjoyed by middle school readers. Parts of the story are told from the perspectives of the unique characters; each chapter is also embellished with their silhouettes. 1982, Alfred A. Knopf, $17.00. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
ISBN: 0-679-89255-9
The Firework-Maker's Daughter
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman gives us another fillip to stave off impatience for the third installment of his "Dark Materials" trilogy. Unlike his recent Clockwork, this offering is far from dark and gothic. This light and cheerful fable describes the adventures of Lila, whose desire to follow in her father's footsteps as a firework-maker takes her on a quest up and into a volcano in search of the secrets of fire. Luckily, she has lots of help from good friends. Among them is a talking white elephant named Hamlet, and his keeper, a young man worthy of a career on Madison Avenue. It is a handsomely designed book, with evocative black-and-white illustrations by S. Saelig Gallagher, reminiscent of her work in Pam Conrad's Blue Willow. 1999, Arthur A Levine Books/Scholastic, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-590-18719-8
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Phillip Pullman has begun a new fantasy trilogy with The Golden Compass, a book that's been selling well to both child and adult readers. The story takes place on an alternate earth in a time that seems similar to the late 19th century. In this world, science and magic vie for power and each human possesses a daemon, a being in animal form who is powerfully linked with its owner. The main character is Lyra, an innocent, who is determined to rescue children who have been snatched for mysterious scientific purposes. She also wants to free her father from a race of warrior polar bears, and discover her place in the world. The story's cast is varied, but always fascinating, including witches, poor folk with rich hearts, and protective academics. Pullman unites adventure, philosophy, scientific inquiry, and magic in ways that are fresh and thought provoking. 1996, Knopf, $16.00 and $5.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-679-87924-2
ISBN: 0-345-41335-0
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
This is a complex fascinating fantasy, the first volume of his "Dark Materials Trilogy." The heroine is Lyra Belacqua who lives with the scholars of Jordan College. Headstrong and independent, she is caught in a web in which science and politics are entangled. Why are hideous experiments being performed on children? Alliances with Gyptians, witch clans, battles with trained mercenaries and armored bears keep the reader on edge. Warning: Don't begin this late in the evening. 1996, Knopf, $16.00 and $5.99. Ages 11 up. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
ISBN: 0-679-87924-2
ISBN: 0-345-41335-0
I Was a Rat
Philip Pullman
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Satire, fairytale, adventure and melodrama are combined brilliantly in Pullman's I Was a Rat. London will never be the same with the "rat boy" running loose. When he appears at the door of Bob and Joan Jones, they accept him as a child who needs love and is an answer to their prayers. Although he chews on pencils and eats with his head down in the bowl, he is teachable. In a series of wild adventures with intransigent bureaucracy, wooly-headed scientists and thieving scoundrels, Roger the Rat Boy is headed for the big E, the exterminator. The Daily Scourge, a newspaper, foments the cries of the public to "Kill the Foul Beast." How can Bob and Joan save the boy? Enter the beautiful princess. Is this beginning to sound familiar? A poor girl turned princess and a "rat" that becomes a boy. 2000, Knopf, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
Spring-Heeled Jack
Philip Pullman
Cheer the heroes and jeer the villains in this tongue-in-cheek adventure yarn about 3 innocent children who have escaped from an orphanage run by Mr. Killjoy and Miss Gasket. Danger lurks in every alleyway but our hero is ever ready to spring into action. A great cast of characters headed by the evil Mack-the-Knife. Using a mixture of cartoons and regular text, this is sure to appeal to kids who are afraid to tackle regular chapter books. Great fun! 1991, Knopf, $10.99 and $8.00. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
ISBN: 0-679-91057-3
ISBN: 0-679-81057-9
The White Mercedes
Philip Pullman
Better known for his YA Victorian thrillers and the first two volumes of his fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials, Pullman here brings his magic into the contemporary world. When seventeen-year-old Chris saves lovely, mysterious Jenny from the clutches of partying Oxford students he is immediately lost. Impossibly in love, Chris pursues Jenny through a world of treachery he's never conceived, a world that has no happy endings. Pullman has created a strong story of teenage passions and lost innocence. 1997 (orig. 1992), Knopf, $16.00 and $4.99. Ages 13 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-679-83198-3
ISBN: 0-679-93198-8
ISBN: 0-679-88623-0
Added 10/05/00
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