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Once Upon a Time in the North

Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

15 reviews
Sales Rank: 379

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 112
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.6 x 0.8

ISBN: 0385614322
EAN: 9780385615235
ASIN: 0385614322

Publication Date: April 3, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: IN STOCK - BRAND NEW - SENT FIRST CLASS - IMMEDIATE DISPATCH

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 15

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A great little adventure, for fans and newcomers alike. June 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

After the slightly disappointing Lyra's Oxford, Once Upon A Time In The North came as a great relief to me. It was as if Philip Pullman had learned from his last short story from the His Dark Materials universe all the lessons he needed to in order to make this second spin-off the perfect gift for any fan of the trilogy, people who have only seen the film, and even any adult or child who has never even heard of Lee Scoresby or Iorek Byrnison before.

Serving as a companion or even introduction piece to His Dark Materials, the short story part of the book (there are other surprises, though if you have read the product description you probably know what they are by now) is a genuinely exciting account of Lee's (and, of course, Hester's) first meeting with sentient and honourable Polar Bear Iorek Byrnison. What makes this exciting is that both were already fully fleshed out characters, and firm friends, in the novels, yet the details of their first meeting were never revelled - until, of course, now.

I honestly have never read a short story I enjoyed more than this one. Whether that was influenced by my already existing love of the characters, I don't know - but the story was gripping from start to finish.

As for length - I felt it was exactly the right length for a good short story. As someone who has written a number of short stories as a hobby, I know that that is something it is very difficult to get right.

If you are a fan of the series, there's also a nice twist waiting for you in the supplementary material at the end.

3 out of 5 stars

What might have been.... June 2, 2008
This is the second spin-off from His Dark Materials, and follows the hugely underwhelming Lyra's Oxford.

First, the good news. This is longer than Lyra's Oxford and is a cracking good prequel about the first time Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison met. The story hits the ground running with action from the start, a tale of corruption, and a shady character from Scoresby's past.

Now, the bad news. The book does not even reach 100 pages, and includes a free game. As with the previous shorter than short story, it's as if Pullman is compensating the reader for lack of content, a carrot that will not please his older readers.

I have given this one more star than Lyra's Oxford, because there is a very good story in here. Trouble is, it could have been so much more.

4 out of 5 stars

Can we have more please? May 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

As far as I'm concerned 'His Dark Materials' is the greatest work in children's literature - full stop. Therefore I'm pleased by any additions that Pullman wants to publish. In 'One Upon In the North' we are told the arly stroy of Lee and Iorek which, I must say, is a vast improvement on 'Lyra's Oxford', which, though enjoyable, was a little limp. "north' has an edgy side that the previous one lacks, it has action and suspense in spade. Again, this is arguably lacking in 'Oxford'.

I particuarly enjoyed the whole Western thing that was going on. I added a new dimension to the saga and freshened things up. Though, like a stuck record I'm going to echo the sentiments of everyone else. It is too short. From a personal point of view I really want Materials 4...this of course is rumoured to be in the pipeline...and am left disappointed whne I don't getit. But this isn't really fair. This is a one off, seperate from the trilogy and perhaps should be viewed as such.

All in all this is a solid book. It's engaging and well worth a read.

1 out of 5 stars

Sad May 9, 2008
7 out of 50 found this review helpful

He's really milking this scrawny old cash cow for all its worth, isn't he. The original books are dull and derivitive. And this is in the same league as Rowling and her 'handwritten' books.

Don't waste your time on this or put money in this man's pocket. There are actually well-written and original books out there that are far more interesting and - ooh - controversial.

5 out of 5 stars

The greatest storyteller of our time! April 30, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

If you ever doubted that Philip Pullman is the greatest storyteller of our time, here's the book to assuage those doubts. This tale of the first meeting of Lee Scoresby between Iorek Byrnison combines adventure, mystery, excitement and humour in one delicious package. Like the other reviewers my only complaint is that I was left wanting much, much more. Having said that, it is the brevity of the story that proves to my mind why Pullman is such a great teller of tales. This is a book for children and adults alike, and while you could read it to your children in the course of a rainy afternoon, you will return to it again and again when your children are in bed to enjoy time and again the richness of the descriptions and the humour of the dialogue and to delight in Lee's relationship with his daemon Hester.
The board game that is included with the book is another treasure which subverts traditional board games in that it is the "loser" of the balloon race (i.e the last player to reach the centre) who actually wins!