The Amber Spyglass

His Dark Materials, Book 3

By: Philip Pullman

Narrated by: Philip Pullman, full cast

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Lyra and Will, the two ordinary children whose extraordinary adventures begin in The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, are in unspeakable danger. With help from Iorek Byrnison the armored bear and two tiny Gallivespian spies, they must journey to a dank and gray-lit world where no living soul has ever gone.

All the while, Dr. Mary Malone builds a magnificent amber spyglass. An assassin hunts her down. And Lord Asriel, with troops of shining angels, fights his mighty rebellion, a battle of strange allies and shocking sacrifice.

As war rages and dust drains from the sky, the fate of the living, and the dead, finally comes to depend on two children and the simple truth of one simple story. The Amber Spyglass reveals that story, bringing Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials to an astonishing conclusion.

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

©2000 Philip Pullman (P)2001 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Absorbing...Like Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, [Pullman] invents a world filled with strange divinations and wordplays." (Newsweek)
"A literary masterpiece...[that] caps the most magnificent fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings and puts Harry Potter to shame...A page-turning story that builds to a powerful finish." (Oregonian)
"As the rich tale unfolds, Pullman's voice, elegant with a hint of both whisper and rasp, thoroughly enthralls, sounding by turns forceful and tender. The talented, extensive cast gives a dynamic, nearly flawless performance." (Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful story!

This book was so wonderful. Deep, thoughtful, and heartbreaking. Lyra and Will’s love was beautiful and heartwarming.

A great finish to a fabulous trilogy!

His Dark Materials ends with this book (although there is a follow-up, _Lyra's Oxford_, which includes a short story, a map of Lyra's Oxford, and some other materials), the longest of the three.

The various storylines are tied up nicely, though some may not care for how things are left with the two main characters. Despite this, I loved it - this book and the series - and would love for additional stories from Pullman about the characters and places he's brought to life in these books (as he did with the above-mentioned book).

Great books for children or adults of all ages!

A worthwhile but somewhat disappointing end

Pullman continues to add complex twists and turns to his final novel in this trilogy, do not miss the first two before you listen to this one! I enjoyed this final novel, but there were MANY more characters than usual, and though I enjoyed the complexities of them, there seemed like too many to all be properly developed. The religious (or arguably anti-religious) overtones become much more of a focus here, which I did not like even though I am not religious. Though it is still very suspenseful and full of adventure, twists and unpredictable turns like the other two novels I walked away feeling a little disappointed. Perhaps that is because this believable fantasy trilogy is now done.

Not Just For Kids

On the same level as Tolkien. This series has it all action, adventure, thrills, laughs and tears. It's themes, based around morality and theology, are worthy of discussion. At the same time the books are so entertaining. The authors reading couldn't be better and the actors reading the dialogue literally sounded just the way I imagined with out being overwrought. Can't wait for the promised "Book of Dust".

Good ending to the series

Although I was unhappy with some of the ending, this book was an interesting and action- packed conclusion to this imaginative series, wherein almost all characters and institutions are opposite of traditional stereotypes (e.g.: in this book church is bad, witches are good) Well done & excellent narration.

A true classic

An exceptional book, that’s brought to life in this audio rendition. The characters are distinct & the voice acting excellent.

Author reading his own tale sells it like no other

Would you listen to The Amber Spyglass again? Why?

This story weaves such an intricate tale across so many story lines that you want to read it again and again until you've truly internalized them all.

What does Philip Pullman and full cast bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

With so many outstanding voice actors each character seems to be the main character when the story is told in their voice making their story incredibly compelling.

I have so much love for this

I enjoyed the entire trilogy. The cast was fantastic and I feel like Philip Pullman read the story as he intended it to be told.
I'm only sad that it's over.

So thought provoking.

Performances made thé story easy To listen.

Problem was with the sound mix-too loud then too soft.

Lyrical, Funny and Profound

One of the most beautiful stories I've ever heard/read. Gorgeous narration by the author with vivid character voices by an excellent cast.