Once Upon a Time in the North (David Fickling Books) | Philip Pullman

book: Once Upon a Time in the North (David Fickling Books) | Philip Pullman

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Once Upon a Time i...

	Once Upon a Time in the North (David Fickling Books) Philip Pullman Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2008 - 112 pages average customer review:based on 21 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Worth the wait ! -- Book & Audio Version

Finally the second of a pair of short books with further & earlier stories
about the characters of "His Dark Materials" has arrived! Readers who have eagerly followed developments have been calling this the 'little green book' to match with Philip Pullman's 'little red book', "Lyra's Oxford" (10/03). But that was only provisionally, as it turned out to be an attractive,dark blue little volume with an extra. One almost expected the fold-out board game. The charming John Lawrence black & white wood-cut illustrations are an attraction in their own right. I even framed my map from "Lyra's Oxford" it's so attractive & one can follow the action of the story as it moves across the city. The recent book features witty dialogue by aeronaut Lee Scoresby; Mr.Pullman shows a good ear for American dialect, in this case Texan,& doesn't overdo it.

For those who might be interested in the author speaking about one of the
inspirations for the entire "His Dark Materials" series,epic poet John Milton, here is the link.(see Comment below)

'Lyra's Oxford was a dark red book. "Once Upon a Time in the North" will be a dark blue book. There still remains a green book. And that will be Will's book. Eventually...'--Philip Pullman

*** "Once Upon a Time in the North" (Audio Version) ***

This excellent audio telling of the story is highly enjoyable. I ordered both book & the Cd box together and read & listened at the same time. It is the second of three projected 'little books'which cover parts of the main story before & after events in "The Golden Compass" ["His Dark Materials"]trilogy.

The same cast of voices as the large boxed sets of the complete trilogy, plus the author, Philip Pullman, a fine narrator,
speeds through the simply plotted, interesting tale.

The special inserts are not exatly the same as the printed book; the 'Peril of the Pole' boardgame is not included. The size of this nicely
produced Cd is slightly larger than the "Lyra's Oxford" audio set, & thus will not match it perfectly on a shelf. The book versions are same the size. On the other hand, the book version has some facsimile letters that are read on the audio version.

All in all,a charming, well-done production by Listening Library, highly recommended for "GC" fans and new converts. One rather wishes that Mr. Pullman himself would record a selection of stories. When I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago in Oxford, I was most impressed with his clear, baritone speaking voice and his performance on this Cd bears that out.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5

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