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The Golden Compass  By  cover art

The Golden Compass

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
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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)

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks for Kids


Whether you’re getting ready to embark on a cross-country road trip with the whole family or just want a new chapter book to enjoy at bedtime, each superb story on this list is a great place to start. Each a tale of whimsy and adventure brought to life with the help of talented voice actors like Jim Dale, Kate Winslet, Neil Patrick Harris, and more, these imaginative listens—fan favorites, classics, and newcomers alike—are sure to be loved by young listeners. Inspire them to stand up for themselves, speak their minds, and embrace their uniqueness.

What listeners say about The Golden Compass

Average customer ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story but the voices needed more editing.

The voices and acting were great but you could clearly hear moments with echoing or spots that cut too quickly to the next voice

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful and imaginative

A great adventure to listen to and the performances were excellent. I enjoyed this book very much.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enchanting

This audiobook has a full cast that made it all the more enthralling! It kept me guessing, fearful, and intrigued. Wish I wouldn’t have finished it so fast!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such an amazing story

I first read this when I was 14. I’ve read it a few times since then, and each time through I’m struck at how complex and nuanced this story is. If you’re looking for philosophy and fantasy, adventure and danger, or you’re disappointed with HP, come lose yourself with Lyra and Pantalaimon. It’s the best adventure out there.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Get Swept Away

Took a moment to get used to the multiple voice actors and actresses, but soon you won't even notice and will be swept away.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A full cast reading

It's always something special when the author reads their own work. But this is the first time I've encountered a book in which the author narrated and a full cast brought the dialogue to life. It's a superb narration of this classic.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great for a Family Road Trip

This was a great book to listen to while on a family road trip. I didn’t stop listening when we got home, finished it without the kids.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, Editing could have been a little better

The story and cast were wonderful.

I was challenged by the abrupt changes between chapters. I would have preferred a few seconds gap to process the end of a chapter and transition smoothly into the next one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great young reader book series

An epic story with a spunky main character that pulls you into another world and questions authority. Far better than the Narnia books for many reasons, not the least of which is the stories for all the books are unique.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing Audible Read

this was a great narrative adaptation of the book. very engaging and great story. I thought the narration brought all the characters to life.

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