The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth

The Book of Dust, Volume 2

By: Philip Pullman

Narrated by: Michael Sheen

Length: 19 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The number one New York Times best seller!

Return to the world of His Dark Materials - now an HBO original series starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Lin-Manuel Miranda - in the second volume of Philip Pullman’s new best-selling masterwork, The Book of Dust.

The windows between the many worlds have been sealed, and the momentous adventures of Lyra Silvertongue’s youth are long behind her - or so she thought. Lyra is now a 20-year-old undergraduate at St. Sophia’s College, and intrigue is swirling around her once more. Her daemon, Pantalaimon, is witness to a brutal murder, and the dying man entrusts them with secrets that carry echoes from their past.

The more Lyra is drawn into these mysteries, the less she is sure of. Even the events of her own past come into question when she learns of Malcolm Polstead’s role in bringing her to Jordan College.

Now, Lyra and Malcolm will travel far beyond the confines of Oxford, across Europe and into the Levant, searching for a city haunted by daemons, and a desert said to hold the truth of Dust. The dangers they face will challenge everything they thought they knew about the world, and about themselves.

Praise for The Book of Dust

"It’s a stunning achievement, this universe Pullman has created and continues to build on." (The New York Times)

"Pullman’s writing is simple, unpretentious, beautiful, true. The conclusion to The Book of Dust can’t come soon enough." (The Washington Post)

©2019 Philip Pullman (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Michael Sheen throws himself wholeheartedly into narrating this sequel to La Belle Sauvage, and listeners will be rapt.... For the ever-expanding international cast of characters, Sheen conjures a multitude of accents and delivers rapid-fire conversations between them. He's in step with the text at every turn; when situations become fraught or dangerous, Sheen ramps up the tension exquisitely. Thanks to Pullman's intricate storytelling and Sheen's propulsive narration, listeners will be on the edge of their seats right up to the cliff-hanger ending." (AudioFile Magazine)

"The Secret Commonwealth is a majestic return to Lyra’s next chapter with all the magic, folklore, and fantasy only Philip Pullman can provide." (Hypable)

"A big novel full of big ideas, big characters and big sorrows.... This book feels like a response to the darkness of our time." (NPR)

"Pullman’s best novel so far. A work of extraordinary depth and humanity." (The Observer)

Great story

I loved this every bit as much as I loved the original trilogy. The story has matured right along with Lyra. I am eagerly anticipating the next book.

I would listen to Michael Sheen read ANYTHING!

Pullman is great, that's a given. When I listened to La Belle Savage, the book that precedes this, I had no idea who Micheal Sheen was, I just thought it was the most beautifully narrated book I had ever heard in my life. He makes the characters live. He puts you in the scene. And it wasn't until after I'd watched Good Omens that I saw him as an actor. Wow. I am a fan.

This book is more difficult that La Belle Savage. Lyra is in her twenties and really struggling with what has to be PTSD. The events in the first trilogy are an adventure for the reader, but horrific for the characters who lived them. Lyra has survivor's guilt, she kind of hates herself and in her world that means she's at odds with her daemon, Pan. She's going through the wringer, he's going through hell, we feel every bit of it.

There's a sexual assault. Male writers see, do this because they think it gives their female characters gravitas. Alan Moore did iit too, in Jerusalem. And while it's better than fridging female characters, I wish these guys would get over it. I'm going to keep reading because, well, Pullman and Moore, but it makes me grind my teeth.

Get this book. But brace yourself. Ending is a cliffhanger.

Don't pull a GRRM on us Philip! I am considerably more invested in Lyra than ever I was in the Mother of Dragons. Get that next book written!

chilling and relevant

This book was so believable, so integrated with what's happening in our world. And yet at the same time., Somehow more hopeful more possible. May the Secret Commonwealth interrupt our rational delusion.

Absolutely wonderful

Wish there were 10 stars to rate Michael Sheen. Stunning performance. Great story. Can’t wait for book three!

Enthralling

The story has me as caught up in the mysteries of the Secret Commonwealth as Lyra is caught up in her search for Pan.

Fantastic!

Wonderful narration. Michael Sheen is a master in his profession and his voice (or rather voices) coupled with the rich plot was the perfect fantasy adventure. I awaited the concluding book.

I'm obsessed

Not only is this by far Pullman's best work, but Michael Sheen is absolutely brilliant as a narrator. This book is fast moving, action packed, and makes you want to know what happens next. I was, however, unaware this is book 2 of 3, I thought it was the last. I look forward though to the next book, very much.

Excellent Addition to the Series

What a great second book for the series! The first was a prequel to HDM, with Lyra as just a little baby. This book she’s 20 and is being led astray by deliberate propaganda. So many parallels to the modern world with the religious right passing laws to suppress free thought and denying reality by law. For those that grew up reading HDM, you’re probably old enough to read this now. It’s definitely more grown up than the YA aimed HDM. Parts are very intense. I can’t wait until the third book comes out!

Phenomenal

One of the best of the Pullman books, read by an excellent narrator. A fabulous sequel to His Dark Materials.

Excellent narration

I think the book is great no matter what, but Michael Sheen is so good it’s impossible to know how it would be without him.