Nick Nov 30, 2019

it was amazing 's review

As usual, and perhaps even more so than in the original series, every scene is fascinating in many respects. The setting, characters encountered, cultures, mechanisms, lore, just to name a few aspects, are nonstop interesting!



I dearly hope that readers of all ages are encouraged and motivated to look up both the definitions and information and histories on anything they don't know which they encounter as they read. I feel that, just as with the first trilogy, Pullman inserts so many tantalizing references deliberately for the purpose of eliciting curiosity. Whether it might be something a reader has some knowledge of, or very little, or none at all, every scene contains pieces of life that are so uncommon as to excite the imagination. For example, the back streets, the industrial works, the boats, the spectrum of workers, academics, personalities.



Many of the elements feel topical, even beyond the main themes of the series, such as the social upheavals and protests.



As with the first trilogy, I took a moment to contemplate how this might represent reality: anytime you've comforted yourself, reasoned with yourself, talked yourself into or out of something, reminded yourself of something, bolstered yourself, via that internal dialogue or narrative we often have.



Every page of this book was a joy to read. Of course, some scenes were torturous or disconcerting, as with the first series. And as with Belle Sauvage, there are some further explorations of some of the alternative sorts of daemon relationships that might come about.



There are some great descriptions that dip our toes into philosophical concepts, morality, etc., that hopefully whet the appetite of readers, as well as some depictions of good solid role models which, as in the original series, are sorely needed.



And once again some further exciting explorations into concepts of magic, of the unseen, and, subtly, of fate.



Even though it's set in a fantastical victorian dimension, most of its elements are very much relevant in this time and dimension.



There are many discussions of sexuality, some of which are somewhat awkward. There are also several disturbing scenes, including one extremely so, which will be jarring and controversial. However, knowing Pullman's other work and having read and heard his interviews, I trust that he put a lot of careful thought into all this. He does not believe in coddling younger readers, to use an old expression, and indeed after some reflection I agree that exploring difficult and/or complex topics in this venue is much safer, as well as more conducive to well-rounded consideration, than a youngster, unprepared, encountering with shock and trauma a similar event in their own life.



Other than that, my only criticism:



As I have heard from Pullman's own view, some description is omitted or streamlined in favour of a better pacing. While this does help the story read faster and the momentum carry well, it leaves me wanting more detail. When he does deem a detail to be right and necessary, it is lovely and compelling and very well done.



Finally, I have never been a woman and neither has Pullman, so I was unsure of some of the internal gender-specific narratives.