Fiction Book Blog

The Golden Compass is the first book in Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy.  It is set in an alternate universe where people’s souls (called daemons) take animal form, and walk with them on the outside of they’re bodies.

The story is centered on a young girl named Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon.  She was raised at Oxford University, under the watch of her uncle, Lord Asriel, who is a scholar at the university.  When he returns from a trip to the Arctic, Lyra overhears his report to the other scholars about something called “Dust” and how he has seen another universe through the Northern Lights, and Lyra is given a mysterious device called an alethiometer, a device that can be read by very few people, but those who can are rewarded with knowing the answer to anything asked of it.  From here Lyra begins her journey to the Arctic.  Along the way she meets some enemies, like the deceptively charming Mrs. Coulter, and friends, like Iorek Byrnson, the talking armored polar bear.

Though written as a children’s book, the metaphors and symbolism is this book is very deep, and it is in fact deeply critical of the Church as well as authority in general.  Those who are easily offended might want to steer clear of this complex book.  However; those who agree that the church might abuse its authority, or like to be challenged in their beliefs would find His Dark Materials to be an engaging and compelling read. I’d give it six out of ten stars.

Here’s my first review for young adult fiction…every once in a while I’ll snatch up a young adult book that catches my eye during check-in at the library.  They are easy to read, and are pure fluff, but they are usually very entertaining.  The other day, I spotted Son of the Mob, and checked it out.

In mob movies, like The Goodfellas and of course the immortal Godfather, you always get to see the mob bosses and their cronies in action.  But, have you ever stopped to think about the bosses kids?  This humorous book by Gordon Korman explores what it would be like to be the teenage son of a mob boss.  Vince Luca is a normal teenage boy, constantly trying to ’score,’ (mostly due to the urgings of his best friend, Alex) playing on the school football team, and attempting to pass his classes.  However, most places he goes, his father’s identity affects his life.  While playing football, no one on the other team will even touch, for fear of ‘retribution.’  His teachers are afraid to fail him.  This doesn’t sound all too bad, but I don’t think anyone would appreciate having a date that was going well interrupted by sudden poundings and screams for help coming out of the trunk of your car.

Throughout the book, Vince starts trying to help out some of the people who owe his father, in an attempt to separate himself from his father and older brother, and their reputations.  He also gets caught up in his first real romance with a high-school journalist named Karen, who also happens to be the daughter of the FBI agent bugging the Luca residence.

It’s a typical coming-of-age story, but with the always-fun twist of organized crime.  I enjoyed the book, and it’s a very easy read.  Good if you’re up for a bit of ‘cotton candy’ reading, as my coworkers would say.
I would give it a three out of five stars.  Until next time,
~CJ