THE GOLDEN COMPASS

Philip Pullman has created a stunning alternate universe peopled by those who seem familiarly human and by miraculous creatures: daemons, armored bears, witches. But now something sinister is abroad in this strangely modern, strangely archaic world, and 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua must try to discover the truth. Into this complex scenario marches Pullman and a remarkable group of readers, expanding the book in a way one might have thought impossible. This is an example of a full-cast recording at its zenith. The actors are well suited to their roles, Pullman proves himself to be a natural narrator, and the decision to remove extraneous text (he said; she said) allows for a more unaffected flow of the story. This is an incomparable treat for lovers of fantasy literature. S.G. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 99]