Lyra's Oxford

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 sure to be 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 which Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon inhabit, a short brochure for a cruise to The Levant aboard the SS 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."

The story, "Lyra and the Birds", begins when Lyra and Pantalaimon spot a witch's daemon called Ragi being pursued over the rooftops of Oxford by a frenzied pack of birds. The daemon heads straight for Lyra and is given shelter. The creature was given Lyra's name as somebody who might help. The daemon is seeking one Sebastian Makepeace--an alchemist living in a part of Oxford known as Jericho. Together Lyra and Pan try to guide the daemon to the home of this man, but it is a journey fraught with more danger than they had at first anticipated.

Somehow, this is a book that puzzles and fascinates all at the same time. It's very sumptuous and lovingly crafted but tantalising brief. The fourth volume in Pullman's award-winning sequence is The Book of Dust and despite the author's reputation for taking his time in writing each of his longer works, it is now just too far away in the future to be funny anymore. (Age 10 and over)--John McLay

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Rip-off - Rated
A complete money making exercise is all this short story is. You can dress it up all you want with fancy maps and illustrations but I think the loyal fans of His Dark Materials trilogy are being seriously ripped off with this.

Hope - Rated
With a book like this you are always going to be a little disappointed, as almost all the main characters are missing and it doesn't directly follow the plot lines of His Dark Materials.

But take it is as I did, as a symbol of hope that there would be more books surrounding the same characters.

It's a good story though very short, the hardback version is a beautifully created book, with cloth coverings, maps, postcards. It is a must have for any true fan.

The continuing adventures of Lyra a Silvertongue - Rated
"This book contains a story in several other things. The 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."

It has now been a couple of years since Lyra had her adventures in the dark materials. She is now settled in the Oxford of her world. Lying on the roof with her daemon, Pantalaimon (From: Pine marten) Lyra speculates on the meaning of the random movements of birds. Little did Lyra realize that this would soon bring her to a new adventure in the search for a well known alchemist; and a new understanding of witches, and life in general.

This story can easily be a trial balloon for a new book.

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The unabridged production on one compact disk may be a tad more expensive. However it is performed by the author and a full cast on top of this is not a well-designed case and a pamphlet tells a little bit about the beginning of the book also includes some of the materials that he describes the beginning it might've been lost between worlds. There are some pictures of Oxford that might be the real one might not. And a foldout map of Lyra's Oxford.

Bill Pullman sounds awful lot like Jim Dale as he begins his story with a quote from Oskar Baedecker's "The Coast of Bohemia."

Short and sweet - Rated
This is just an introduction to the next release from Philip Pullman, 'The Book of Dust'. It gives some relevant information leading to the next book. I guess it's just a little something to keep us going!

Just don't read it - Rated
I LOVED the Dark Materials Trilogy so when I saw this book I obviously wanted to buy it. This book is nothing like the trilogy. There is no story what so ever. It is boring and quite honestly just seems like a way for the company to make more money. I had finished it in about half an hour and was totaly disapointed. This book seriously runis the trilogy. I would say don't buy it.