The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
- Title: The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book II)
- Author: Philip Pullman
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
- Year of Publication: 1997
- Pages: 326
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Lyra is still our protagonist, and in this part of His Dark Materials, she befriends a boy named Will who is from a different world than Lyra’s, one much like our own. Their relationship grows and strengthens over the course of this part of the story. Lyra and Will, both clever and good-natured prepubescent children, form a friendship with each other when they are both in trying times of loneliness and desperation. But it is not just a friendship of convenience; they sincerely admire and care about each other. In a quiet conversation near the edge of sleep, Pantalaimon, Lyra’s dæmon, encourages Will:
“[Lyra] thinks you’re the bravest fighter she ever saw, as brave as Iorek Byrnison.”
“I suppose I better try not to seem frightened, then,” Will said. He was quiet for a minute or so, and then he said, “I think Lyra’s braver than me. I think she’s the best friend I ever had.”
“She thinks that about you as well,” whispered the dæmon.
Presently Will closed his eyes.
Lyra lay unmoving, but her eyes were wide open in the dark, and her heart was beating hard. (p. 267)
Book II maintained the excitement of Book I, but in a more sobering way. I felt much more panic reading this book than I did the other, and much less bliss. It is still an exciting story and still one I want to continue (forever), but it’s sad. Here’s to hoping for a happy ending! 5/5
Tags: book review, fantasy, His Dark Materials, young adult