... The Secret Commonwealth, the sequel to Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage and the second part of his The Book of Dust trilogy, out on the 3rd. of October.
This picks up Lyra's story seven years after the end of The Amber Spyglass. She is now twenty and venturing across Europe and into Asia "in search of an elusive town, said to be haunted by daemons. She is at odds with her own daemon, Pantalaimon, after they unwittingly witness a murder."
The author says, “Things have been biding their time, waiting for the right moment to reveal their consequences for Lyra Silvertongue. The Secret Commonwealth tells the continuing story of the impact on Lyra’s life of the search for, and the fear of, Dust. I found it intriguing and deeply exciting to discover how great events can turn on a little moment, and how revenge can be nurtured and fed and watered till it grows beyond control.
“Life is not easy for Lyra. It was enthralling for me to remember how powerfully and passionately our minds and opinions can be turned by reading a particular book at the right time. Lyra, as a student, is finding that out. She is also discovering a new and difficult aspect to her relationship with Pantalaimon, and other things about dæmons that she never suspected.
“But those things are background. At the heart of the book are Lyra, the young woman we saw first as a girl of twelve and then as a baby, and Malcolm, whose life as a boy became involved with hers and who now finds their lives helplessly entangled again; and how some emotions can last a lifetime, and others change beyond recognition. It’s the story of some people we know, and others we’ll meet for the first time. Their journey is going to take them far from their homeland towards a mysterious desert in Central Asia, where they hope to find, at last, the secret of Dust.”
Good to hear about this, thanks. I was a little disappointed by La Belle Sauvage, which I felt added little to the world of the books, but more on the daemons would be interesting (though I am less keen on 'dust'). Also looking forward to Lyra as a young woman.
Posted by: Helen | 27 February 2019 at 12:13 PM
Yes, daemons and the older Lyra should be good.
Posted by: Cornflower | 27 February 2019 at 01:57 PM
Thank you for this, I look forward to reading it but am concerned by the problems with daemons.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 28 February 2019 at 03:40 PM
I'm interested to see what exactly PP has come up with there.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 February 2019 at 05:18 PM
I am really looking forward to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook format of La Belle Sauvage, I thought the narration was excellent.
Posted by: Nora | 01 March 2019 at 12:03 AM
Was that Michael Sheen? I'm sure he's very good.
Posted by: Cornflower | 01 March 2019 at 08:18 AM
Yes, it was Michael Sheen. I do hope he reads the new one too.
Posted by: Nora | 01 March 2019 at 03:57 PM
I'm really looking forward to this continuing journey of Lara's.. loved La Belle Sauvage
Posted by: Alexandra Macgregor | 05 March 2019 at 03:00 AM