I’m about 1/3 of the way through. I usually get audio books these days, but decided to show the literature some respect and went out and bought a hard copy from an independent bookshop. Felt like I was lugging a brick around all day, I’m so unused to physical books now!
In terms of the book itself, I’m sure the writing style has slightly altered although no idea how, I’d have to reread the others with a highlighter. Sort of simplified descriptions of things for the first few chapters. One thing about Pullman though is when he describes Lyra, who has been with me now for 30 years, I can sense and empathise with every bit of what she’s experiencing. When she’s in pain, exhausted, dirty and uncomfortable, I get such an overwhelming and deep sense of it. Almost like I wish I could reach through the pages and give her a bath and wrap her hand up, put her in some clean clothes and make her a smoothie 😭 I never ever felt any depth of feeling to, say, Harry Potter as a character. JKR is excellent at weaving and world building, but PP is so good at texture and depth of feelings. I could close my eyes and touch Lyra’s hair in my mind, feel the slinky warmth of Pan’s body and fur. He described a man’s hand as something like clean, dry and cold - and I felt like I was touching it.
Anyway will dissect the actual story when more people have had a chance to read and I’ve finished. Will lug it about all day again today 💪🏻 people can continue to ask me about it and I’ll have to explain it’s not a children’s book! Or is it?