Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Philip Pullman's "The Subtle Knife": Audiobook Review




"Upending the Story of the Fall, part 2 "
If you could sum up The Subtle Knife in three words, what would they be?
Inventive, unpredictable, menacing

What did you like best about this story?
Philip Pullman's second installment delves into the tale of the Fall and the rebel angels, combining this with speculations about dark matter and parallel worlds, in an engaging manner. I like the intellectual underpinnings of this segment, more than the main action.

Have you listened to any of Philip Pullman and full cast ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes, and this compares equally to the first I heard, The Golden Compass. More witches this time, and we are introduced to Will Ransom as a co-protagonist in another Oxford. He seems hesitant and petulant, but we learn why this may be if we stick to the storyline ahead.


Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The showdowns of two main characters ending each of the two last chapters.


Any additional comments?
I liked the introduction of Mary Malone. Her demeanor changes from chipper to awed, understandably, as she learns verification for some of her far-fetched research. The return if briefly to the academic setting where the first book began is welcome. It's Pullman's milieu. (Audible US 1/10/17)

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