(B) 74% | More than SatisfactoryNotes: Accomplishes its purpose as a solid 'bonus' story, but is too thin, both figuratively and literally, to be anything more.

I'd enjoy reading Pullman's grocery list, so my rating isn't to be trusted at all here.

Phillip Pullman lite. Treat either as an amuse bouche for those who are yet to read His Dark Materials but want a little hint of the tone and content of the sub-oxfordian world of little girls and their daemons or, for those au fait with the excellent His Dark Materials trilogy this is a little unexpected extra.A short story complete with pages of ephemera and published to look a little like an old skool Baedecker guide, the look of the thing is perhaps more of a joy than the short story but, as...

This is a strange little book, basically a beautifully bound short story set in the world of "His Dark Materials" and amongst the sleeping spires of Oxford, Lyra's Oxford that is. The book I will admit was picked up on my travels and at a fraction of the cost (I would have baulked at the idea of paying what it was listed at) anyway the book really is just a short story however there is a sub-text "everything has a story to tell" which helps put a interesting twist to the book. The introduction o...

What is there is very charming (and hints of future events, eh?) but the volume is so thin it's hard to rate it higher.

I re-read this to see if there were any Easter eggs about The Secret Commonwealth that I missed last time I read it.It's a very middle of the road novella, nice to be back with Lyra in this universe but not a lot of substance.

This is a delightful short story with Lyra, Pan, and Malcolm set two years after The Amber Spyglass. Wonderful prose, magical story, and some deeper thoughts. Excellent addition to His Dark Materials books! The book is also illustrated and has an interesting map of Oxford.2022 Reading ScheduleJan Animal FarmFeb Lord of the FliesMar The Da Vinci CodeApr Of Mice and MenMay Memoirs of a GeishaJun Little WomenJul The Lovely BonesAug Charlotte's WebSep Life of PiOct DraculaNov Gone with the WindDec T...

“Everything has a meaning, if only we could read it.”

Another lavishly beautiful book by Philip Pullman. Again, this little volume is cloth-bound and contains a number of illustrations along with these:The story takes place 2 years after the end of the trilogy His Dark Materials and tells of Lyra watching a flock of starlings when they suddenly attack a witch's daemon (it has to be a witch's daemon because it is alone). She saves the daemon and then lets him persuade her to find a man who supposedly can help him save his witch, who is ill. The man

”Everything means something”I wondered how Lyra would come across after the events of the first trilogy and her being two years older. As it happens, she is still so easy to follow. Pantalaimon too and his chosen form... Nice short story that tintillates the reader while promising the hint of the future, especially with all the extra features in the book, such as maps, postcards, ads, etc. I’ll keep this in mind when reading Pullman’s Book of Dust trilogy, in case there are indeed clues :0)

The setting is Oxford University about two years after the end of His Dark Materials trilogy. It's a very short story about Lyra Silvertongue, and hardly satisfies the multitude of fans patiently waiting for Pullman's follow up novel to his successful trilogy. Maybe this year or next he says.

This is a novella following the events that occur during His Dark Materials series and featuring central character, Lyra Belacqua, falling into more mischief whilst she is at school in Oxford. Events here occur during Lyra's teenage years and, whilst unrelated to the previous story-line, do produce new mysteries, and pose questions for Lyra's future adventures. My only wish for this short story was that it was longer. It measured in at under 50 pages and packed secrets, mysteries, and an abundan...

Lyra's Oxford is a lovely addition to His Dark Materials trilogy. Neat and fast-paced it's another great adventure for Lyra and Pan. A must-read for Pullman's fans.

"Everything means something," Lyra said severely. "We just have to find out how to read it."I finished His Dark Materials (maybe better known as The Golden Compass trilogy) this summer for the second time and finally turned to this short story sequel, set in Lyra’s home after her travels, Oxford. The book is small, and packaged beautifully, with wonderful engravings and a map of Lyra’s Oxford. It also includes a cruise brochure, pages from Baedecker’s guide to Oxford, a post card from Mary Malon...

Is there such a thing as literary roots? If so, this series is part of mine. This particular story is an easy, short and very enjoyable read - that is, if you've formerly enjoyed His Dark Materials books (and why wouldn't you have? they're fantastic). Perhaps this short story (novella?) isn't deserving of 4 stars in itself, but it filled me with nostalgic longing and I was reminded of the immense love I have for this series and how much it still means to me. We forget these things sometimes, bec...

A very enjoyable addition to His Dark Materials. I do love that world.

A delightful short read, full of beautiful illustrations in this iteration of the book that really bring the Oxford of His Dark Materials to liveEverything has a meaning, if only we could read itA good old fashioned adventure that made me long for His Dark Materials. Lyra is sought out by a daemon in the form of a bird and with a connection with a witch. And the birds in the city in general are acting weird. The length of this work worked so much better than The Secret Commonwealth did, even tho...

This was way too short! I wanted it to be much longer than it was. We get to catch up with Lyra who is now at Oxford studying. She and Pan (remember Pan?) get caught up in a plot that ends with them winning the day.Honestly the book was just a nice sneak peek at what Lyra has been up to since "The Amber Spyglass." It's been I think two years since the events of that book and Lyra is learning how to read the alethiometer. What I did like was this sounds like something that will come into play I t...

I loved being back in Lyra’s Oxford (*waves to an early appearance of Malcolm*) but it’s a little pricey for such a teeny-tiny book! “Everything has a meaning, if only we could read it.”

"Everything means something," Lyra said severely. "We just have to find out how to read it."Lyra the little liar is back in full force. she gets to use her special power of super-lying at least twice, so it's clear that despite the amazing and horrible and life-changing adventures of the preceding trilogy, some things will never change. a witch and an alchemist cameo, and naturally her daemon Pantalaimon remains by her side. all is well in Golden Compass Land, at least for this reader. things ar...