S&L Book 1: The Golden Compass
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 1:52AM
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 1:52AM 
The inaugural book of The Sword and Laser has been chosen, and it's The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Not only is this a personal favorite of mine, but Tom Merritt and I thought it would be nice to read now considering the movie is coming out in December!The Golden Compass is the first in the trilogy His Dark Materials, but we'll only ask you to read this first book. It may be easier for you to buy all three books at the same time (and you'll probably want to read the others!), but you're in no way required to do this. Most libraries should have it, and there are also new and used versions available on Amazon.
Hopefully we can all acquire the book by next Wednesday, and then we can plan on talking about the first chapter! The next book will be decided by a vote, and it'll probably be a "classic" of some kind. Enjoy!
Reader Comments (53)
You give it a good review. Looking forward to reading it. It seems that in SOuth Africa, if you buy the 3 at once you get it in harcover and much cheaper than buying one at a time, so I will have all 3. I find it a little frustrating anyway to only read one in a trilogy.
Ooh, this is a good book! I love the site design you did a great job (you too Tom) :-)
Amazon has the entire trilogy for about $15.00. Paperback of course, but still not a bad deal imo...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0440238609/
-mm
Bummer, Wanted to join in on the fun. but local bookstore doesn't have it and it will take 2 weeks before they'll get it if i order it. and the library only has dutch books:(. there's alway a audio book I guess.
Good thing there's a B&N across the street from work :D. Going to get it right after lunch.
Book(s) ordered! I haven't been in a real book club before this. I'm glad we're discussing one chapter by chapter instead of a whole book at once. It's a relaxed approarch I hadn't expected.
ordered mine.
@Alex - audio book count for a book club?
That's so cool. By total coincidence, I just started re-reading this.
Looks groovy. I'm in!
I'm going to count myself in on this one since I finished reading this book...like two days ago. I'll chill for a while and happily discuss when the time comes.
@Tenzin, I don't think so, I feel so left out :(
is this it?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Dark-Materials-Boxed-set/dp/1407104160/
i'm asking because the titles are different (i'm assuming the golden compass is a part of northern lights, am i right?)
cheers,
pedro
I'm not sure, Pedro! It may have a different title out in the UK, but those are the correct books for the rest of the trilogy... maybe ask in the forums.
Those are the right books Pedro. Northern Lights got renamed to The Golden Compass for it's US release.
Northern Lights is the first book in the series in other parts of the world. The title is only The Golden Compass in USA and I believe Canada. It's also the name of the movie. That sure is a bit confusing, it's great to be an American. I have ordered mine, always meant to read them, now I have a reason.
What a fabulous first book. A sensational trilogy. One of the best I've read and I've read a few in my 50+ years.
The american title is very misleading as it isn't even a compass but merely an instrument of similar design. They might as well call it "The Golden Barometer". The English name is much more romantic and the originaly intended title. The american name was enforced by publishers for the same sort of odd reason that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was renamed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for America. Meh!
I was really disappointed that the movie isn't being given its proper title outside of the US as they did with Mister Potter :s
As for the book it is (as are the other 2 books in the trilogy) utterly superb and I cannot recommend it enough. In my opinion its last line (which I won't quote incase it spoils it for anyone) is one of the best I have ever read, encompassing (no pun intended) all that is being left behind in this book yet looking forward to what is to come in the second. Perhaps I'm just odd but reading it has a strange effect on me.
Great idea for a site V and I look forward to seeing what else is recommended :)
-widge
Brilliant! I had just reserved the audio version from the library :-D Already started listening. If you can, I'd recommend the audio. These are done wonderfully by multiple actors/actresses. Of course, it's always great to hear the British accents!
Fortunately I have the wonderful Pulp Fiction Sci-fi/Fantasy/Crime bookstore right here in Brisbane, Australia. I'll wander down there romoroow to pick up a copy.
Just a reminder to recycle, and check half.com for used copies. I just picked up this book in softcover for $1.00!
Any easy way to find the book in your nearest library: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/33014058&referer=one_hit" rel="nofollow">Open Worldcat
I just bought this on ebook a week or so ago. Glad I didn't get a chance to read it yet!
I love these books. I can't wait for the discussion!
Read the trilogy about a year ago. Pretty good stuff.