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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

14 reviews
Sales Rank: 210

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 112
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.8

ISBN: 0385614322
EAN: 9780385615235
ASIN: 0385614322

Publication Date: April 4, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new - mint condition. Normally dispatched same day.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 14

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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
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
6 out of 46 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!

3 out of 5 stars

Its grim up north April 22, 2008
2 out of 38 found this review helpful

Don't bother with this purchase Small Mercy by Tom Dawes instead, its the future of trashy literature.