Makes me want to huddle up in a blanket! He can create an atmosphere in just a few words, such as when Lyra is about to leave Oxford. Philip Pullman is brilliant at describing the scenery and especially cold, night-time landscapes.

I liked this description of Lyra’s education: “Lyra’s knowledge had great gaps in it, like a map of the world largely eaten by mice, for at Jordan they had taught her in a piecemeal and disconnected way.” There is much we don’t understand at this point - anbaric light?, panserbjorne?, Dust? - which just makes me want to read on, to find out more. She eavesdrops and watches Lord Asriel showing his slides and talking of his recent trip to the North. But what is she doing in Jordan College, surrounded by academics but with no family? And what is the significance of having a daemon? The author creates suspense early on as Lara narrowly avoids being discovered by the Butler and later creeps into the wardrobe to hide. She clearly has courage, to sneak into the Retiring Room against the rules. Lara is an interesting character right from the beginning. Also, the narrator moves relentlessly forward whereas now, in reading the hard copy, I find myself re-reading phrases or paragraphs just to get the most out of the language. I didn’t remember much of the plot and I don’t think I take in as much with an audiobook.

There is no comparison in the experiences. I listened to it as an audiobook and have read it this time as a paper book.

Northern lights the illustrated edition