Lyra's Oxford

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."

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Philip Pullman follows up the bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy with an intriguing short episode starring Lyra, who gets into some odd goings-on at Oxford. A tale that is partially about understanding how "perhaps particles move backward in time; perhaps the past affects the past in some way we don't understand; or perhaps the universe is simply more aware than we are," the book weighs in at a slender 64 pages and includes a pull-out map of Oxford, a cruise ship travel brochure, and other miscellaneous items -- all of which, Pullman states in his cryptic introduction, may (or may not) have something to do with the story. Sound mysterious? It is, but it provides the framework for a delightfully strange tale that could hold clues to Pullman's past books and may just foreshadow books to come. The story begins when Lyra and Pantalaimon encounter a witch's dæmon, who requests an escort to the home of alchemist Sebastian Makepeace. After a quick turn of events, a curious Lyra is battling a witch and being rescued by birds. But the book's real fascination lies in its imaginative extras -- the foldout map that includes handwritten notes like "Mary Malone lives here"; the postcard from Mary to Angela Gorman; and the SS Zenobia brochure -- all of which give readers plenty to puzzle over. Whether Lyra's Oxford is a sly bridge between Pullman's fantastic, past and future realms or a mere glimpse into Lyra's life since The Amber Spyglass, readers will surely clamor to figure it all out for themselves. Shana Taylor

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A beguiling short story from the His Dark Materials universe! This exquisite, collectible clothbound hardcover provides our first glimpse of Lyra's life after the stunning final scene of The Amber Spyglass. With lavishly illustrated and annotated fold-out maps of Lyra's beloved Oxford, plus interior wood-cut art by John Lawrence, this handsome addition to Philip Pullman's series will send fans cheering the world over.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The fall season has brought a bounty of anticipated audiobook sequels for fans. Philip Pullman has capped off the His Dark Materials trilogy with Lyra's Oxford, not so much a sequel as a companion to the three fantasy novels. This latest adventure-essentially a short story-takes place two years after the events that close The Amber Spyglass and contains numerous intricate tidbits that close listeners will find a delightful challenge. The author reads here, along with many returning members from the full cast that made Pullman's previous audiobooks memorable. The CD package contains a map of Oxford, something Pullman has said his fans have long requested. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Janet Crane Barley

Lyra Silvertongue, heroine of Mr. Pullman's highly-acclaimed "His Dark Materials" trilogy is at the center of this short story. The author describes the story as a "sort of stepping stone between the trilogy and the book that's coming next." The idea for this story came to Mr. Pullman when he began gathering ephemera from Lyra's world—a map of her Oxford, a postcard, and cruise information. The author says the documents, that are tucked into the book, may or may not be related to this story or to other stories that come. He adds that readers who study them may find clues. In this story, Lyra and her daemon (attending spirit), Pan, see a huge flock of birds acting strangely, as if they are driving away another bird. When Lyra rescues the "bird" she discovers that it is a witch's bird-shaped daemon who pleads for her help. When Lyra agrees, the daemon leads her into a perilous situation. How will she avoid the trap set for her? Lyra is such a beguiling character and the short story is so engrossing that readers who haven't read about Lyra before will surely want to go back and read everything about her. The book with its red cloth cover topped with tinted engraving of Oxford is a pleasure to behold as well as to read. 2003, Alfred A Knopf, Ages 12 up.

VOYA - Sophie R. Brookover

One part imaginary guidebook, one part thrilling tale of mystery, love, and vengeance, this supplement to His Dark Materials will delight the trilogy's many fans. Set two years after the end of The Amber Spyglass (Knopf, 2000/VOYA December 2000) among the dark alleys and ancient buildings of Pullman's alternate-universe Oxford, the story seems at first to be simple. Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon help Ragi, the terrified daemon of witch Yelena Pazhets, find the alchemist and disgraced ex-Scholar, Sebastian Makepeace, who alone can make an elixir to cure Yelena. Chased and attacked by the city's birds, Ragi explains that they sense that he carries Yelena's sickness. In fact, Lyra's love-softened heart, which "felt as if it were bruised forever" since she and Will parted, has somewhat dulled her keen skepticism: Not until the end of the book do she and Pan realize that the birds of the city have been protecting them from a cruel revenge trap set by Yelena and Ragi. Tucked among the pages of "Lyra and the Birds" is a dazzling array of printed ephemera related to the story, some from the current world ( a postcard from Mary Malone), and others from Lyra's (a map of Oxford, a list of travel-related books and catalogues). Although almost maddenly brief, the powerful story and its accompanying materials teem with enough fascinating details to please most fans of the trilogy. This tantalizing morsel of a story will send readers right back to reread Lyra's first three adventures, to puzzle over them as over the altheiometer. VOYA Codes 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Knopf, 64p., Ages 11 to 18.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Pullman returns to the universe of "His Dark Materials" with this gift-book package anchored by a new short story, "Lyra and the Birds." There are a few other goodies, including a pullout map of Oxford and a postcard from Dr. Mary Malone. In his preface, Pullman indicates that these "-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." These "souvenirs" give readers something to puzzle out, and to determine how they might (or might not) relate to anything. The short story itself doesn't lack for action. Lyra and her daemon companion, Pantalaimon, happen upon a witch's daemon named Ragi, who has sought out Lyra's help to find an alchemist named Sebastian Makepeace, who may be able to help his witch, Yelena Pazhets, who has been struck by a mysterious illness. The story winds its way through Oxford toward the alchemist's home, ending with an unexpected but ultimately hopeful resolution. The lovely woodcut engravings fit both the design of the book and the tone of the tale perfectly. Full appreciation of the story is very much dependent on having read Pullman's much-acclaimed trilogy.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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