One of the most interesting elements of the novel is that every human character has a daemon that follows them wherever they go. It is a shape-shifting representation of their soul. The form of the daemons shifts constantly based on the mood of their humans' during their childhood and adolescence. In their early adulthood their daemon takes on a permanent animal form. The nature of animal reflects the personality of its human companion. New aspects of this relationship between human and soul appear throughout the novel.
Lyra Belacqua is a twelve-year-old girl living in at Jordan College. When her friend Roger is taken by the Gobblers, a mysterious group that steals children, she and her daemon Pantalaimon set off the North to rescue him. During her travels she meets the nomadic Gypians, an armoured bear named Lorek Byrnison, hydrogen balloon flying Lee Scoresby and the conniving Mrs. Coulter.
If you're like me and have heard the same rumors, I'd encourage you to give the book a chance. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequel.
2 comments:
I read the first book in elementary school and recently decided to reread the entire series. I was also concerned about what I would find, but was extremely impressed.
I enjoyed each book and for the record, they don't "kill God". Yes, their religious world is shockingly different then ours, but ours is not defamed in the process. I didn't find it offensive, but I'm interested to hear others take on the third book.
The last book in the series is surprisingly emotional and Mr Pullman does a fantastic job bringing the main characters to life. I would highly recommend reading the series.
This comment will most likely not be read, but I'm going to share a little bit of what I know about Daemons:
"Daemon" is an interesting word as in talking to different cultures and people in general, a "Daemon" could be a "demon", which is the word it is most often used in exchange of, a representation of a persons spirit, as it is used here, or a gaurdian angel or muse.
It just depends on where you are as to what definition it takes on.
Now, I've never read this book, nor ever had a desire to, but as a child I did read a book series called "Seventh Tower" by Garth Nix. It's a childrens/teens series, but it sounds to me that they are both based on the same concept.
I'm actually currently doing research on the different meanings/varieties of Daemon and Demon and how they relate and differ.
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