Books by Philip Pullman

Book SynopsisTwo young people and their dæmons, with everything at stake, find themselves at the centre of a terrifying manhunt. In their care is a tiny child called Lyra Belacqua, and in that child lies the fate of the future. As the waters rise around them, powerful adversaries conspire for mastery of Dust: salvation to some, the source of infinite corruption to others. Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage is set twelve years before the epic His Dark Materials trilogy. Bryony Lavery's stage adaptation was first performed at the Bridge Theatre, London, in December 2021, directed by Nicholas Hytner, whose groundbreaking production of His Dark Materials was a critical and commercial success at the National Theatre. 'Once in a lifetime a children's author emerges who is so extraordinary that the imagination of generations is altered' New Statesman on Philip Pullman 'High-octane adventure accompanies ingenious plotting during Lyra's extended journey in a canoe down a dangerously flooded Thames' The Times on Philip Pullman's novel 'An imaginative adaptation which keeps alive the wit and excitement of the book' Guardian on Bryony Lavery's version of Treasure IslandTrade Review'A theatrical marvel... Bryony Lavery's adaptation is lean without short-changing us on the story... The central, ideological battle between scientists and the sinister forces of the Magisterium is captured with a clean economy... The stage is action-filled with one dangerous turn after another... keeps closely to Pullman's earth-bound and realistic brand of fantasy... the ultimate Christmas show – with sacrilegious twists' * Guardian *'A galloping adventure full of wonder and confusion... Bryony Lavery has streamlined, clarified and occasionally improved the story' * Evening Standard *'A rollicking adaptation... Lavery carefully pares the story back to its essence: the relationship between innkeeper's son Malcolm and pot washer Alice. She also brings a key ingredient, entirely missing from the books: humour' * The Stage *'A terrific piece of story-telling, confident and enthralling, a dark Christmas treat' * Whatsonstage *'Ingenious and beguiling... a compelling narrative for our times... It's a testament to Lavery's adaptation that we always sense [Pullman's] conceptual complexity at the same time as being able to enjoy La Belle Sauvage as a fly-by-the-seat of your pants adventure... a narrative that richly reflects our rapidly changing world. There's a lot of great theatre playing in London right now, but this is where to head for if you're looking for something with as much intelligence and provocation as fleet-footed fun' * The Arts Desk *'Truly extraordinary... playwright Bryony Lavery and director Nicholas Hytner attach jumper cables to the audience's imagination... The triumph of Lavery's deft adaptation is that scenes never feel schematic... Characterization of even the tiniest roles is instantly vivid... But it's Lavery's notable use of humor that helps keep everything buoyant... Her adaptation is a textbook example of skilled translation for the stage. It's not just a condensation; she adds characters and rethinks moments to keep a foot firmly on the accelerator... redolent of the best classic work built around young characters: it's as satisfying for parents as it is for children' * Variety *'Is Bryony Lavery Philip Pullman's daemon? Her adaptation goes to the heart of Pullman's book and, daemon-like, expresses its essence. Clear and swift, it brings an extra bounce of humour to the tangle of speculation and saltiness that makes the novel at once provoking and compelling' * Observer *

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Book SynopsisOutrageously zany and filled with non-stop surprises, Simon Reade s theatrical adaptation of "The Scarecrow and His Servant" (a children s tale by renowned author Philip Pullman), is an enchanting play for young readers and performers."

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Book SynopsisFantasy, mystery, war and love - it's all here in the magical trilogy His Dark MaterialsThis BEAUTIFUL GIFT collection features ALL THREE titles in the award-winning trilogy: Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and THE AMBER SPYGLASSThe Amber SpyglassWill and Lyra, whose fates are bound together by powers beyond their own worlds, have been violently separated. But they must find each other, for ahead of them lies the greatest war that has ever been - and a journey to a dark place from which no one has ever returned . . .Northern LightsLyra Belacqua lives half-wild and carefree among the scholars of Jordan College, with her daemon familiar always by her side. But the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible struggle - a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armoured bears.The Subtle KnifeLyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted otherworld - Cittàgazze, where soul-eating Spectres stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. But she is not without allies: twelve-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another's, has also stumbled into this strange new realm.On a perilous journey from world to world, Lyra and Will uncover a deadly secret: an object of extraordinary and devastating power. And with every step, they move closer to an even greater threat - and the shattering truth of their own destiny.Trade ReviewOne of the supreme literary dreamers and magicians of our time * The Guardian *Philip Pullman. Is he the best storyteller ever? * The Observer *

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Book SynopsisA must-have for every child's library: two enchanting tales by the best-selling author of Northern Lights, in a special hardcover omnibus edition with newly colourised illustrations. With a delightful and unique introduction from the author- especially for this beautiful Everyman's Library volume. In The Firework-Maker's Daughter, young Lila has learned from her father almost all there is to know about his professionbut he insists upon holding back the final secret. With the help of her friend Chulak, Lila discovers that anyone who wants to be a true firework-maker must face down the Fire-Fiend of Mount Merapi. It is only after Lila has set off on her quest that Chulak discovers the other half of the secretand without it, Lila will perish. In the company of Hamlet, a talking white elephant, Chulak sets off to find Lila before it's too late. Clockwork features an apprentice clockmaker who is tempted to sell his soul. As the townspeople of Glockenheim gather on the eve of the annual unveiling of a new figure for the town clock, Karl, the apprentice, confides to Fritz, a storyteller, that he has failed his task to create one. Fritz, in his turn, has no idea how to finish the new story he has begun concocting, which he calls Clockwork. He begins to tell it anyway, only to see its dangerous antagonist materialize in front of the two boys and offer Karl a Faustian pact. Real life and storytelling merge, and destruction must be narrowly averted, in this unusual and suspenseful tale of the power of creativity.

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Book SynopsisI was a rat!' So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it's true, but what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge is sure of it. A victim of Rodent Delusion'? The hospital nurse says yes. A lucrative fairground attraction? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. Or is Roger just an ordinary little boy? Only three people believe this version of the story, and it may take a royal interventionand a bit of magicto convince everyoneelse. A playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humour, fairy tale, and adventure. When, in A Scarecrow and His Servant, a bolt of lightning brings Scarecrow to life, he proves to be a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant and the two embark upon a terrifying series of adventuresincluding battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands. But little does the Scarecrow know that he is being followed by a family who desperately wishes he'd never sprung to life. Two stories of myth, magic and adventure from the master teller of tales.

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Book SynopsisThe British Book Awards Audiobook of the Year 2018. Penguin presents the audio CD edition of La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, read by Michael Sheen. 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 . . .“As a reader and a fan, I was hugely excited on hearing that Phillip was returning to the story of Lyra and Dust and challenging the Authority. And, as an actor, it was a true privilege to be asked to record La Belle Sauvage, the first book of this new work.” Michael Sheen "The best piece of narration I've ever heard" - The Bookseller“Michael Sheen’s narration of Philip Pullman’s new novel is better than an army of voice actors his voice is impressive, from the crisp, definitive consonants of its higher registers to the rumbly bass notes Sheen summons when some menace enters the scene, to the vast, buttery expanse of his middle range.” Slate

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Book SynopsisA two-play dramatisation of Philip Pullman's extraordinary award-winning fantasy trilogy, first seen at the National Theatre. His Dark Materials takes us on a thrilling journey through worlds familiar and unknown. For Lyra and Will, its two central characters, it's a coming of age and a transforming spiritual experience. Their great quest demands a savage struggle against the most dangerous of enemies. They encounter fantastical creatures in parallel worlds – rebellious angels, soul-eating spectres, child-catching Gobblers and the armoured bears and witch-clans of the Arctic. Finally, before reaching, perhaps, the republic of heaven, they must visit the land of the dead. This adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, by Nicholas Wright, was first performed at the National Theatre in London in 2003.Trade Review'Nicholas Wright... has risen to the challenge with brilliance' * Mail on Sunday *'"Unstageable" was the first reaction of the National Theatre's artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, to the idea of dramatising His Dark Materials. But last night's opening has triumphantly proved him wrong' * Sunday Times *'Children's theatre of an uncommon maturity and ambition... dazzling in just the right way... moments of heart-stopping simplicity' * Independent *'The hottest ticket in town long before press day... Book to see it next Christmas' * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisIn over 30 essays, written over 20 years, one of the world's great story-tellers meditates on story-telling. Warm, funny, generous, entertaining and, above all, deeply considered, they offer thoughts on a wide variety of topics, including the origin and composition of Philip's own stories, the craft of writing and the story-tellers who have meant the most to Philip. The art of story-telling is everywhere present in the essays themselves, in the instantly engaging tone, the vivid imagery and striking phrases, the resonant anecdotes, the humour and learnedness. Together, they are greater than the sum of their parts: a single, sustained engagement with story and story-telling.Trade ReviewAs if I'm sneaking into a year of lectures and classes with one of the masters of this art . . . Pullman shares advice, secrets, thoughts in such a down-to-earth, friendly manner, it almost makes me want to weep * Guardian, Best Books of 2017 *Pullman is eloquent on the craft and power of storytelling * Observer *A fascinating tour of Pullman's teeming imagination and an inestimable illumination of the writing life * Financial Times *Luminously written * TLS *Pullman is as fine a thinker as he is a storyteller. It's almost not fair . . . abundant wisdom, provocative notions, and illuminating insights * Kirkus starred review *

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Book SynopsisWarm, entertaining, and above all thought-provoking, Daemon Voices provides a remarkable insight into the mind of one of our greatest writers. He explains which storytellers have meant the most to him, including William Blake and John Milton, why their work has resonated with him, and how it has inspired his own thinking. In over 30 essays, written over 20 years, Philip Pullman reveals the narratives that have shaped his vision, his experience of writing, and the keys to mastering the art of storytelling.Trade ReviewPullman is eloquent on the craft and power of storytelling * Observer *As if I'm sneaking into a year of lectures and classes with one of the masters of this art . . . Pullman shares advice, secrets, thoughts in such a down-to-earth, friendly manner, it almost makes me want to weep * Guardian Best Books of 2017 *Luminously written * The Times Literary Supplement *A gold mine . . . So much richness is to be found in this collection . . . Humane, wise and immensely readable, Daemon Voices is a fascinating tour of Pullman's teeming imagination and an inestimable illumination of the writing life * Financial Times *[Pullman's] reflections on how to nourish the imagination of children in an age of screens are excellent * Spectator *Daemon Voices casts an entrancing spell . . . To read [these essays] is to be invigorated by the company of a joyfully wide-ranging, endlessly curious and imaginative mind * New York Times *A compelling, convincing, eminently readable treatise on the importance of imagination and telling tales, Daemon Voices is a powerful insight into the mind of the greatest storyteller of our time * Kiran Millwood Hargrave *Pullman is as fine a thinker as he is a storyteller . . . abundant wisdom, provocative notions, and illuminating insights * Kirkus starred review (US) *This very impressive collection of essays, lectures and reviews . . . distils the thoughts on storytelling of one of our great storytellers * Children's Books History Society *

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Book SynopsisLa novella s?inicia quan la protagonista, la Lyra, te? vint anys, estudia a la universitat i viu al Jordan College d?Oxford. La seva vida transcorre amb una aparent normalitat, pero? la seva prese?ncia e?s amenac?ada pel creixent poder del Magisterium. La noia e?s convidada a unir-se a una expedicio? juntament amb diversos especialistes, que viatjara? a una remota regio? de la Ruta de la Seda, on s?han succei?t uns estranys accidents.

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Book SynopsisPhilip Pullman regresa al mundo de La Materia Oscura con esta maravillosa segunda entrega de la serie EL LIBRO DE LA OSCURIDAD.

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