Philip Pullman's Northern Lights: The Graphic Novel
This graphic-novel treatment of the first leg of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is of French origin and is here translated back into the language of its source novel, i.e. English. These things happen in the children’s book publishing world.
The book affords yet another medium in which to experience Lyra’s adventures, and one more leisurely than the 2007 film, it must be said. The ambitious, fantastical yet sophisticated mythology of the story, adapted by Stéphane Melchior, is aided and abetted by Clément Oubrerie’s atmospheric visuals, whose occasionally breath-taking hues are redolent of the book’s title. Pullman’s story has attracted more than a little controversy, not least because of his negative portrayal of Christianity, which some have seen as heavy handed. This aspect of the novels is not particularly subtle, it’s true, but in the light of scandals which continue to dog the church, the magisterium’s activities may not be as overthe-top as some would have us believe. The book’s iconoclastic approach certainly affords plenty of food for thought. With child-snatchers, Gyptians, armoured bears and witches in the mix – not to mention the sinister, if beautiful, Mrs Coulter and the morally ambivalent Lord Asriel – this is a heady concoction with steampunk trimmings, furnished with a spellbinding climax in the ice-bound North. For newcomers, books two and three will surely be a must, while seasoned fans can look forward to digging their teeth into the Book of Dust, Pullman’s new prequel trilogy. Adapted by Stéphane Melchior.
