Product Description

A marvellous bundle of paraphernalia and memorobilia (including a thrilling board game!), together with a wonderful new story from the acclaimed author, Philip Pullman; the blue book to join with Lyra's Oxford, beautifully illustrated by master engraver, John Lawrence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-03
• Binding: Hardcover
• 112 pages

Amazon.co.uk

Bonus content inside the book

Synopsis
When Lyra is studying at Oxford University, she comes across the story of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnisson's first meeting, many years ago, along with much evidence of the adventure that brought them together. When a young Texan balloonist, Lee Scoresby, comes down to earth in the harbour of an Arctic town in the North, little does he realise that he is about to be embroiled in an out-and-out political brawl. Lee and his daemon, Hester, find themselves the target of political factions trying to take over the running (and oil) of the town. And also resident in the town are huge arctic bears, ignored and patronised by the people and treated like second-class citizens. When Lee and Iorek first meet, they cement a friendship that will continue throughout their lives, as the tensions and pressure in town lead to a deadly conclusion...Another wonderful tale from a master story-teller, giving us more extraordinary insight into the world of "His Dark Materials".

From the Back Cover
Another mesmerising episode from the universe of His Dark Materials including the very first meeting of those two legends and friends, Lee Scoresby, the Texan balloonist, and Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear.

Set in the far frozen Arctic, Once Upon aTime in the North contains other teasingly authentic memorabilia and clues, together with a thrillign board game, Peril of the Pole, complete with spinner, game board and pieces, all beautifully illustrated and rendered by master engraver, John Lawrence.

Customer Reviews

Sad
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.

The greatest storyteller of our time!
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!

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