Scan barcode
A review by theinquisitxor
The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
4.0
"You used to be optimistic. You used to think that whatever we did would turn out well. Even after we came back from the North, you used to think that. Now you're cautious, you're anxious... you're pessimistic."
She knew he was right, but it wasn't right that he should speak to her accusingly, as if it was something to blame her for.
"I used to be young," was all she could find to say.
He made no response.
Okay Mr. Pullman, you've done it again. You've broken my heart again and there's nothing to fix it except for the third book in this trilogy. This is the continuation of Lyra's journey about 10 years after the events of His Dark Materials. I've heard that this is a story for people who read HDM as children but are now reading The Book of Dust as adults. And I couldn't agree more. It deals with adult themes and while Pullman still has the effortless way of drawing the reader into Lyra's world, you must tread carefully in this story. Even thought HDM is one of the darker, more theme heavy children's/ya books, TSC takes it to a new level. It explores psychology, mental health, trauma, politics, espionage and lies.
This trilogy seems to be somewhat mirroring HDM in terms of construction. It's not until the second installment of the series that the central plot really kicks in. While The Golden Compass and La Belle Sauvage are crucial to their respective trilogies, Pullman writes so that the second books are where the full stakes and plot is revealed. He also ends both installments on a large cliffhanger. I'm assuming that the third book will be even longer and more broad than TSC (if that's even possible). This series definitely isn't His Dark Materials. It doesn't contain the same elements of magic or destiny, or angels and gods. It's more about politics and world changing schemes and intellectual ideas. And it's much more rooted in the physical, tangible world. Just keep your mind open while reading this that this series is different from HDM. That being said I'm going to get into many Spoilers so stop reading if you don't want to be spoiled!
*SPOILERS*
The Lyra of this book is not the same Lyra we fell in love with in HDM. This Lyra is 20 years old and she has many issues. The trauma of her childhood seems to have finally caught up with her, and has left her as a depressed, anxious, stressed college student. Her constant state of melancholy and slight depression is such a strong contrast with her confident, energetic, optimism of her childhood. But it's relatable. I feel like most twenty year olds feel at least a little like Lyra does at the beginning of this story. Where does all our energy and hopefulness go when we're 10/11/12 years old, compared to when we're 20/21/22?
She has realized how unsure her future is, how utterly alone and traumatized she has been left. This book is an interesting look into the mind of a heroine years after the original events took place. It's an interesting look into what events of HDM she thinks of more often, and what events she seems to have tried to forget. Her separation from Pan and time spent in the Land of the Dead seem to have stuck with her well. So had her last few days with Will. Other events she seems to have tried to forget. The battle between the forces of 'God' and Lord Asriel, as well as times where she and Will would just travel through random worlds does not seem like memories she visits too often. Which I find interesting, especially how Lyra has seemed to give up on the fantastical and magical elements at the beginning.
Her changed relationship with Pan was heartbreaking. But Lyra had changed so much as a person, that a fractured relationship with her literal soul was bound to happen. She had basically turned into someone unrecognizable to Pan (which was none of her fault) but they both needed to figure themselves out in this story. Again, the cliffhanger leaves a lot to wonder, but I'm hoping for the best.
And Will... Lyra still has not gotten over Will. A part of me hopes, hopes that they will somehow find each other again and be together. I know the chances are almost nonexistent, but I also really loved Will as a character, and I want to know how and what he is doing. Even if they never see each other again, I want to know if he's alright. A small part of me hopes that there is something in that desert, that can lead Lyra back into Will's (our) world. I know HDM is about making the Republic of Heaven where you are, and living a good life because nothing else is guaranteed. Which is something Lyra has kind of forgotten, and I hope Pullman bring it back up again? The lines Lyra says about Will, "I think about him every day. Probably every hour. He's still the center of my life" just hurt so much.
I love some of the social issues, and how they they parallel the social issues of our world. It makes sense that issues would be at least vaguely similar, since they are parallel worlds. The fleeing of refugees out of the Middle East, governments trying to subtly pass laws that infringe upon freedoms, new thoughts, radical movements and shootings. All of these parallel current issues in our world.
I also liked Lyra's journey in this book. It was much more of a journey she takes alone. Even though she has many people to help her on her way towards the Middle East and Asia, it is a fundamentally solitary journey, and a great metaphor for your time as a young adult just trying to find your way around in the world. While in the original series, she is going North (and Northern lands will always have a soft spot in me) I really like the way she is journeying into the East this time.
I hope some of the themes and results of HDM finds its way into the third installment. The concept of the Republic of Heaven, free will and no divine authority would be so interesting to explore as a consequence, but for most of the book we get a depressed, confused and scared Lyra. Which is fine, horrible things happened to her, and it's understandable why she is like the way she is. I just feel like the big cosmic battle at the end of The Amber Spyglass and the changes that happened to the universe are not as consequential as they should have been.
My main complaint is: Why does the Magisterium still exist in Lyra's word? In TAS, there is a line at the end about how the Magisterium feel apart a bit and became chaotic. It just doesn't make much sense that in a world where the Authority was defeated, how does an institution like the Magisterium still have so much power? I thought that one of the main purpose of the original trilogy was to bring about the end of such a oppressive regime. But here we are 10 years later with the same organization having even more power than ever before.
I like Lyra having a villain at her age. Oliver Bonneville is like Will's antithesis, and their future interactions are sure to be interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about Oliver, and I look forward to seeing him more in the third book. There are a lot of other characters previously introduced, Malcom, Alice, Hannah, Coram and so many more (it was a little hard to keep track of everyone) and seeing them all finally together and in each others' confidence was nice. Malcom's feelings towards Lyra are a little 'ew' and I sincerely hope nothing becomes of it. I was a little uncomfortable and I hope, hope Pullman does not make it a romantic relationship. Even though they are both adults, there is still too much of an age gap in my opinion. (the only person Lyra should be with is Will)
I'm interested in how the Roses relate to Dust and the previous events of Lyra's life. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and while it's definitely not perfect, I can't wait for the last one. HDM is not perfect, and there are parts/ elements I don't enjoy that much, but this story and world that Philip Pullman has crafted has become one of my favorites. I have only grown to love the characters and world and magic even more as I've gotten older. I have high expectations for the third installment, and I hope we at least get a title soon!
She knew he was right, but it wasn't right that he should speak to her accusingly, as if it was something to blame her for.
"I used to be young," was all she could find to say.
He made no response.
Okay Mr. Pullman, you've done it again. You've broken my heart again and there's nothing to fix it except for the third book in this trilogy. This is the continuation of Lyra's journey about 10 years after the events of His Dark Materials. I've heard that this is a story for people who read HDM as children but are now reading The Book of Dust as adults. And I couldn't agree more. It deals with adult themes and while Pullman still has the effortless way of drawing the reader into Lyra's world, you must tread carefully in this story. Even thought HDM is one of the darker, more theme heavy children's/ya books, TSC takes it to a new level. It explores psychology, mental health, trauma, politics, espionage and lies.
This trilogy seems to be somewhat mirroring HDM in terms of construction. It's not until the second installment of the series that the central plot really kicks in. While The Golden Compass and La Belle Sauvage are crucial to their respective trilogies, Pullman writes so that the second books are where the full stakes and plot is revealed. He also ends both installments on a large cliffhanger. I'm assuming that the third book will be even longer and more broad than TSC (if that's even possible). This series definitely isn't His Dark Materials. It doesn't contain the same elements of magic or destiny, or angels and gods. It's more about politics and world changing schemes and intellectual ideas. And it's much more rooted in the physical, tangible world. Just keep your mind open while reading this that this series is different from HDM. That being said I'm going to get into many Spoilers so stop reading if you don't want to be spoiled!
*SPOILERS*
The Lyra of this book is not the same Lyra we fell in love with in HDM. This Lyra is 20 years old and she has many issues. The trauma of her childhood seems to have finally caught up with her, and has left her as a depressed, anxious, stressed college student. Her constant state of melancholy and slight depression is such a strong contrast with her confident, energetic, optimism of her childhood. But it's relatable. I feel like most twenty year olds feel at least a little like Lyra does at the beginning of this story. Where does all our energy and hopefulness go when we're 10/11/12 years old, compared to when we're 20/21/22?
She has realized how unsure her future is, how utterly alone and traumatized she has been left. This book is an interesting look into the mind of a heroine years after the original events took place. It's an interesting look into what events of HDM she thinks of more often, and what events she seems to have tried to forget. Her separation from Pan and time spent in the Land of the Dead seem to have stuck with her well. So had her last few days with Will. Other events she seems to have tried to forget. The battle between the forces of 'God' and Lord Asriel, as well as times where she and Will would just travel through random worlds does not seem like memories she visits too often. Which I find interesting, especially how Lyra has seemed to give up on the fantastical and magical elements at the beginning.
Her changed relationship with Pan was heartbreaking. But Lyra had changed so much as a person, that a fractured relationship with her literal soul was bound to happen. She had basically turned into someone unrecognizable to Pan (which was none of her fault) but they both needed to figure themselves out in this story. Again, the cliffhanger leaves a lot to wonder, but I'm hoping for the best.
And Will... Lyra still has not gotten over Will. A part of me hopes, hopes that they will somehow find each other again and be together. I know the chances are almost nonexistent, but I also really loved Will as a character, and I want to know how and what he is doing. Even if they never see each other again, I want to know if he's alright. A small part of me hopes that there is something in that desert, that can lead Lyra back into Will's (our) world. I know HDM is about making the Republic of Heaven where you are, and living a good life because nothing else is guaranteed. Which is something Lyra has kind of forgotten, and I hope Pullman bring it back up again? The lines Lyra says about Will, "I think about him every day. Probably every hour. He's still the center of my life" just hurt so much.
I love some of the social issues, and how they they parallel the social issues of our world. It makes sense that issues would be at least vaguely similar, since they are parallel worlds. The fleeing of refugees out of the Middle East, governments trying to subtly pass laws that infringe upon freedoms, new thoughts, radical movements and shootings. All of these parallel current issues in our world.
I also liked Lyra's journey in this book. It was much more of a journey she takes alone. Even though she has many people to help her on her way towards the Middle East and Asia, it is a fundamentally solitary journey, and a great metaphor for your time as a young adult just trying to find your way around in the world. While in the original series, she is going North (and Northern lands will always have a soft spot in me) I really like the way she is journeying into the East this time.
I hope some of the themes and results of HDM finds its way into the third installment. The concept of the Republic of Heaven, free will and no divine authority would be so interesting to explore as a consequence, but for most of the book we get a depressed, confused and scared Lyra. Which is fine, horrible things happened to her, and it's understandable why she is like the way she is. I just feel like the big cosmic battle at the end of The Amber Spyglass and the changes that happened to the universe are not as consequential as they should have been.
My main complaint is: Why does the Magisterium still exist in Lyra's word? In TAS, there is a line at the end about how the Magisterium feel apart a bit and became chaotic. It just doesn't make much sense that in a world where the Authority was defeated, how does an institution like the Magisterium still have so much power? I thought that one of the main purpose of the original trilogy was to bring about the end of such a oppressive regime. But here we are 10 years later with the same organization having even more power than ever before.
I like Lyra having a villain at her age. Oliver Bonneville is like Will's antithesis, and their future interactions are sure to be interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about Oliver, and I look forward to seeing him more in the third book. There are a lot of other characters previously introduced, Malcom, Alice, Hannah, Coram and so many more (it was a little hard to keep track of everyone) and seeing them all finally together and in each others' confidence was nice. Malcom's feelings towards Lyra are a little 'ew' and I sincerely hope nothing becomes of it. I was a little uncomfortable and I hope, hope Pullman does not make it a romantic relationship. Even though they are both adults, there is still too much of an age gap in my opinion.
I'm interested in how the Roses relate to Dust and the previous events of Lyra's life. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and while it's definitely not perfect, I can't wait for the last one. HDM is not perfect, and there are parts/ elements I don't enjoy that much, but this story and world that Philip Pullman has crafted has become one of my favorites. I have only grown to love the characters and world and magic even more as I've gotten older. I have high expectations for the third installment, and I hope we at least get a title soon!