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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Book Description
A new short story from master storyteller, Philip Pullman, set in the Oxford of Lyra's world in His Dark Materials trilogy, bound with a beautifully illustrated map.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Oh, how is it possible to be so pleased and yet so dissappointed in a book? Readers left wanting more after His Dark Materials will find that there is not much more on offer, as the major content of Lyra's Oxford is a short (note that word - the entire book is only 50 pages long), intriguing story set 2 years after the end of the trilogy. But what a beautiful book: it's binding and presentation make it a item to treasure and Pullman's way of dropping significant, and often seemingly unrelated pieces of information in front of the readers' eyes allows you to walk away with thoughts, possibilities and perhaps's developing in your own mind. A tonic to the imagination and a perhaps an appertiser for the promised Book of Dust?
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As someone who has recently finished reading His Dark Materials and considers it one of the best series of novels ever written, I eagerly bought both this and Once Upon A Time In The North together from Amazon and - considering them both together - I am glad I did. I love miscellanies and companion books and both of these books are both great for the serious fan, containing snippets of information deliberately out of context - the idea being to make you think and fill in the gaps with your own imagination.
But if you have only read the first book (or seen the film), I would advise buying Once Upon A Time In The North - as that is a great standalone story of reasonable length - and not this one until you have read your way to the end of the His Dark Materials trilogy.
The story in Lyra's Oxford - Lyra and the Birds - is great if you want to find out more about Lyra Silvertongue's life after the end of The Amber Spyglass, but as a standalone story it is - I have to sadly admit - a bit boring. I think Philip Pullman definitely learned a lesson from this though, because the next short story - Once Upon A Time In The North (out now) - sees him return to form with a genuinely exciting short story that requires no prior knowledge of the series to enjoy.
But if you have only read the first book (or seen the film), I would advise buying Once Upon A Time In The North - as that is a great standalone story of reasonable length - and not this one until you have read your way to the end of the His Dark Materials trilogy.
The story in Lyra's Oxford - Lyra and the Birds - is great if you want to find out more about Lyra Silvertongue's life after the end of The Amber Spyglass, but as a standalone story it is - I have to sadly admit - a bit boring. I think Philip Pullman definitely learned a lesson from this though, because the next short story - Once Upon A Time In The North (out now) - sees him return to form with a genuinely exciting short story that requires no prior knowledge of the series to enjoy.
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With the earlier publication of The Amber Spyglass, it seemed that Philip Pullman had finished his involvement with Lyra and the other characters of His Dark Materials. Thankfully, Lyra's Oxford shows that is not the case, and far from being just a tacked-on addition to that series, it's a full story in it's own right and also possibly a tantalising teaser for The Book of Dust, whenever it finally arrives.
The story within the book ('Lyra And The Birds') is an interesting tale of itself, excitingly detailing Lyra and Pantalaimon's dangerous trip across Oxford to help a witch's daemon. It's similar to the early chapters of Northern Lights, with Lyra front and centre, surrounded by fascinated descriptions of Pullman's strange alternate Oxford.
However, it's the other ephemera that really make the book a must-read and turn it from being just a story into a true mystery. Children and adults alike will have lots of fun looking over the map and the other items, looking for little clues that cast new light on both the story and His Dark Materials, making this book into a bridge between His Dark Materials and The Book Of Dust.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
pullman
The book arrived quickly and in very good condition. I did find it a strange tale and didn't quite see the point of it, I must have missed something or after reading the trilogy... Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. Gill
Not the best.
Not the best short narrative I've read. I didn't feel drawn into the story at all and the plot is a little cumbersome. Read more
Published 8 months ago by James Carroll
Pointless and dissapointing
I thought this was a bargain, however when it arrives its a pamphlet ! Not worth the money, not worth bothering reading either.
Published 11 months ago by pullman fan
A little gem, a tiny Northern Lights possible future
Set after the end Pullman's Northern Lights Trilogy, this is a story that may or may not have happened, a little gift from a possible future. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jo Bennie
Philip Pullman
I wanted to see the end of Lyra and felt that the trilogy, although very good, didn't finish the story - hence my searching for and finding Lyra's Oxford. Thank you.
Published 14 months ago by M J Gearing
Nice to be in the company of old friends
I found this little delight in a charity shop the other day and read it on my commute today (it's quite short). Read more
Published 15 months ago by rhysthomashello
Very good, fast
i wanted to get this book as i need something to fill in the gap between this and the next book "the book of dust", ive been waiting a while and i thought i might as well get... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. W. Hosgood
What's the point?
This is set after The Amber Spyglass wherein not much happens. This is a book in search of a plot; it has a feel of the writer's preliminary notes and an air of vanity publishing. Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Oliveman
The continuing adventures of Lyra a Silvertongue
"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... Read more
Published on 19 April 2010 by bernie
A lovely addition
I think that this book is a lovely addition to His Dark Materials series. It's a little snap of Lyra's life as a young woman, more grown up than when we last saw her but still the... Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2009 by C. Hughes
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