The Golden Compass

His Dark Materials, Book 1

By: Philip Pullman

Narrated by: Philip Pullman, Joanna Wyatt, Rupert Degas, Alison Dowling, Douglas Blackwell, Jill Shilling, Stephen Thorne, Sean Barrett, Garrick Hagon, John O'Connor, Susan Sheridan, Full Cast

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

His Dark Materials is now an HBO original series starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James Mcavoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Featuring an exclusive bonus interview between the author, Philip Pullman, and His Dark Materials star Ruth Wilson.

The modern fantasy classic that Entertainment Weekly named an “All-Time Greatest Novel” and Newsweek hailed as a “Top 100 Book of All Time”.

Philip Pullman takes listeners to a world where humans have animal familiars and where parallel universes are within reach.

Lyra is rushing to the cold, far North, where witch clans and armored bears rule. North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal - including her friend Roger. North, where her fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.

Can one small girl make a difference in such great and terrible endeavors? This is Lyra: a savage, a schemer, a liar, and as fierce and true a champion as Roger or Asriel could want.

But what Lyra doesn't know is that to help one of them will be to betray the other....

A masterwork of storytelling and suspense, Philip Pullman's award-winning The Golden Compass is the first in the His Dark Materials series, which continues with The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.

A number one New York Times best seller

Winner of the Guardian Prize for Children's Fiction

Published in 40 countries

"Arguably the best juvenile fantasy novel of the past 20 years." (The Washington Post)

"Very grand indeed." (The New York Times)

"Pullman is quite possibly a genius." (Newsweek)

Don't miss Philip Pullman's epic new trilogy set in the world of His Dark Materials, the Book of Dust:

• La Belle Sauvage
• The Secret Commonwealth

Listen to the rest of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series.

©1995 Philip Pullman (P)1999 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Superb.... Wonder-filled." (Washington Post Book World)

"Very grand indeed.... Scene after scene of power and beauty." (The New York Times)

"A rousing, page-turning adventure that promises to please fantasy readers of all ages." (Library Journal)

Must listen!

Story is great and the performance is fantastic. The full cast reading really brings the story to life and breathes fresh air into stints of narration (which is also great btw).

Great narration, loved the story and characters.

Warning to the fainthearted-if you can't tolerarte your religion being questioned, then don't order this book because you will be offended. It very much reminded me of the age of enlightenment where religion did not hold sway over all and learning was not only allowed but encouraged and certain members of the religious community were very outraged and let's face it terrified of these opposing doctrines. The characters are written with depth and humanized very well so I often found myself actively engaged in the vigorously moving plot, fearing for their safety, bemoaning their downfalls, cheering their victories. The main female protagonist is plucky and precocious and just a joy to read. Great book.

I've read or listened to this series four times.

It is the best series I've ever read. Every time I read it, I notice new complexities. I can't wait to read it to my daughter , who I will surely name Lyra.

Outstanding story and acting

Simply the best full cast read I have ever come across. All three books of this series are outstanding in quality. The storyline is consistently interesting and is varied enough throughout the series to keep the interest high. The gold standard by which all others will be compared.

Firmly in the Canon

A fantastic fantasy, sci-fi hybrid for everybody to enjoy. Written at a breakneck pace, which makes it impossible to stop. The full cast is great, except in the editing, where many moments are rushed when they need to breathe.

Listening would benefit your life.

This is one of the greatest stories ever written. Add to that a performance that compares with and rivals the best cinema has to offer and you have the greatest experience I have received on audible. This is a purchase you won't regret.

Great Book!

I went into this book with a few doubts because of what everyone was saying controversy wise about it...but they were wrong..excellent story. currently emerged in second book.

Wow amazing

The voices in this book is amazing. It really draws you in and make you not want to stop. Just wow. That is all I could say.

Love this Trilogy

I've loved this Trilogy since I read it did many years ago. This audio book was a great way to "re-read"

An Amazing Story!

Amazing story, well-paced, always exciting and vivid in descriptions, masterfully voice-acted; its among the best fantasy I've ever listened to.