In 'The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage', Philip Pullman returns to the mesmerizing world of Lyra Belacqua four centuries before her story begins. The narrative follows young Malcolm Polstead, a curious innkeeper's son, who embarks on an extraordinary adventure to protect a mysterious baby destined for greatness. As he navigates through sorcery and danger, Malcolm's daemon Asta provides unyielding companionship. With a fierce flood threatening everything he holds dear, Malcolm discovers the depths of courage and sacrifice. This enthralling tale is a prelude to secrets and revelations that will echo throughout the beloved His Dark Materials series.
By Philip Pullman
Published: 2017
"In the world of dreams, the heart knows no bounds, and the courage to protect what is loved can change the course of destiny."
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Philip Pullman returns to the parallel world of His Dark Materials--now an HBO original series starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Lin-Manuel Miranda--to expand on the story of Lyra, “one of fantasy’s most indelible heroines” (The New York Times Magazine). Don’t miss Volume II of The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth! Malcolm Polstead and his daemon, Asta, are used to overhearing news and the occasional scandal at the inn run by his family. But during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm finds a mysterious object—and finds himself in grave danger. Inside the object is a cryptic message about something called Dust; and it’s not long before Malcolm is approached by the spy for whom this message was actually intended. When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he begins to notice suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl—just a baby—named Lyra. Lyra is at the center of a storm, and Malcolm will brave any peril, and make shocking sacrifices, to bring her safely through it. “Too few things in our world are worth a seventeen-year wait: The Book of Dust is one of them.” —The Washington Post “The book is full of wonder. . . . Truly thrilling.” —The New York Times “People will love the first volume of Philip Pullman’s new trilogy with the same helpless vehemence that stole over them when The Golden Compass came out.” —Slate
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“In the world of dreams, the heart knows no bounds, and the courage to protect what is loved can change the course of destiny.”
The Book of Dust
By Philip Pullman
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Philip Pullman is a celebrated British author best known for his groundbreaking 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, which includes the acclaimed novels 'Northern Lights' (also known as 'The Golden Compass'), 'The Subtle Knife', and 'The Amber Spyglass'. His writing is recognized for its imaginative storytelling, intricate world-building, and philosophical themes that explore morality, religion, and the search for knowledge. Beyond 'His Dark Materials', Pullman has written numerous other works, including the 'Bartimaeus' series and 'The Book of Dust'. Pullman's literature often combines elements of fantasy with rich character development, making him a significant figure in contemporary literature.
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