HRC Ravenclaw Common Room discussion

Hi everyone! I was curious how many in our group are visiting this novel for the first time, and how many we have that are reading again- how many times have you read the series? Any initial impressions? How is everyone enjoying the book so far?

Devin wrote: "Hi everyone! I was curious how many in our group are visiting this novel for the first time, and how many we have that are reading again- how many times have you read the series? Any initial impres..."

I am reading/listening to it for the first time (I have a library copy on hand and I have audible credits I need to get rid off). I have seen random parts of the movie, but I've been told it is NOTHING like book. So I'll take what I have seen and remember with a grain of salt.

My initial impression is how forwardly backward the society is. Also the Retiring Room scene seems a bit strange/rushed? As if they are trying to get in as many plot points as possible in that one bit, I guess.

I'm just pass chapter 4 so I figure things are about to get pretty interesting.

This is my 3rd time reading The Golden Compass and it really does get better with every read. I also downloaded the cast reading from audible which helped to bring the story to life more than ever before. I really like Phillip Pullman and have read some of his short stories as well. I may have to revisit the other 2 books in His Dark Materials trilogy.

Hey Nicole, have you ever read his Sally Lockhart series?

Oh no, not yet! But they're in my audible wishlist (which is entirely too long but hey).

I have read the entire series. Something I have wondered, how would the story have changed if the character of Lyra was a boy? I LOVE the fantasy genre and there are so many more series that has a male lead character.

This book has been on my list to read for many years. Obviously I wasn't able to get to it with you guys (let's admit it, reading a book for pleasure in a month without a school vacation is not realistically doable UNLESS there's an audio version and it's not too long) - but I'm going to try to make it happen during one of the breaks this year, and I look forward to revisiting all these comment threads at the time!

Marisa, I think you will absolutely LOVE it! But, I think you have to read all three to fully appreciate it (:

I don't think I would've liked the book as much if the Lyra character was a boy. It was bad enough Lyra was a bit Mary Sue-ish (able to figure the alethiometer out in a jiffy, standing up to adults, standing up to beasts/bears with little to no fear, being uber quick witted to name a few things) and yet there was still an air of naivete to her. I'm kinda tired of the Katnisses and Trises of fiction so Lyra was a bit of a change but at the same time not. If that makes any sense, but I'm even more tired of the Lukes and the Thomases of this genre so I'll take a Lyra over a Lyle anyday.