“The Golden Compass,” the first novel in Philip Pullman’s “His
Dark Materials” series, introduces readers to another world that
is quite similar to ours. The difference is that people in this
world have external souls that take on an animal form known as
daemons. In this parallel universe lives Lyra Balacqua, a young
orphan who has been raised at Jordan College in Oxford. Lyra is
a curious child, fascinated by the scholars who surround her and
the infinite knowledge that they hold. Lyra is also extremely
stubborn and has a knack for getting herself into difficult
situations. The story begins with Lyra hiding in a wardrobe with
the help of her daemon, Pantalaimon. While keeping herself from
being seen or heard by anyone, she overhears an important
meeting between Lord Asriel, her “uncle,” and the leaders of
Jordan College. They are discussing something called dust, which
can be found in the North near the Aurora Borealis. Lyra doesn’t
quite understand what she hears, but she is eager to know more.
Soon, a stra