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Northern Lights (Dramatised)

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Northern Lights (Dramatised)

By: Philip Pullman
Narrated by: Philip Pullman, Full Cast
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About this listen

 A Radio 4 Book Club Selection.

The award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy is a breathtaking epic adventure spanning a multitude of worlds. Northern Lights, the opening installment, sees Lyra and her shape-changing daemon embark on a dangerous quest.

In Oxford, Lyra learns that children are being kidnapped by the mysterious Gobblers. When her friend Roger vanishes she determines to find him, and is given a powerful alethiometer which can reveal the truth in all things. After discovering that the adults around her are not what they seem, Lyra and Pantalaimon join forces with a band of gyptians. Travelling north they encounter witch-queens and armoured bears, before being captured and taken to Bolvanger, where children are being used in terrible and secret experiments.

Gripping, full of suspense and often funny, this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation has an all-star cast including Terence Stamp, Emma Fielding, Bill Paterson, Kenneth Cranham, and Ray Fearon.

©2003 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2003 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Science Fiction & Fantasy Funny
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I read this as a child and was captured by Lyra's world - so similar to our own, yet so fantastic.

It's still a marvel, and I didn't mind my time with it, but I'd forgotten just how much of a children's book it is. The whole world revolves around Lyra, and everything she tries seems to work out. In some ways it's the kind of story a child might tell - "I went here, and there were mean people doing evil things, but I said this and they believed me"

I'm glad to have revisited it, but it's not quite what I remembered from all those years ago.

Better for kids than grown-ups

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a fun, easy to follow story. Great for most ages and fun to enjoy listening along with the children.

Have you listened to any of Full Cast’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes- however I didn't because I was listening with my child.

An excellent all round audiobook

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Enjoyed every second of the performances - Terence stamp was outstanding. Best use of the licence fee I've ever spent

Still classic many years later

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I have to disagree with Fabio. Myself and my children loved listening to it in the car. All the actors really brought the story to life.

Edge of the seat audio

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Loved to never wanted it to end cast was fantastic I can't explain how good it was

love it

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An unique and full envisioned story told very well. Entirely captivating. Would highly recommend it.

Breathtaking story telling.

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I love this version of Phillip Pullman's classic story of Northern Lights.

Originally aired on the BBC this has a great cast very well casted into their roles that play a (much) shortened version of the book. Ever since I first heard it on the radio I fell in love with this dramatisation and have not been able to look back.

Everything about this is good if not great. Very managable timing. Superb acting and transfer from the book. Do get.

A very memorable drama

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There is something about a dramatized story that fires the imagination when it is done well. I first listened to this about 6 years ago on good old fashioned cassettes. It has stood the test of time and is still an excellent reading of an excellent story. It was like being there amongst the action and that's what I want from dramatizations. I recommend this one without hesitation.

Great story; excellent cast

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A lot left out but a useful recap before The Book of Dust is published.

Good for recap but not new readers

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So, before I purchased this, I saw some negative reviews saying that the story was cut very short and the details were not fine enough or true to the original book, and honestly, I would hath to disagree. Okay, it is obvious looking at the two products that the book is significantly longer than the dramatisation, but having read the book and listen to this, I would go so far as to say that in my opinion, all of the details that really count when listening to the story are still here. That, along with an absolutely stunning dramatisation from the BBC, which I can honestly say, is the highest quality of dramatisation I have ever heard from them. Taking both of these points into account, I would say this is definitely worth the money. It just blew me away. The actors were absolutely brilliant. Okay, this is an adaptation, so things are going to be a bit different from the book, and they are. In the book, the angel narrating the story is introduced in the second book, but they have chosen to include it here, and I noticed one name change in this production, but it doesn't detract from the brilliance of the production at all. However, I would recommend that you read the book 1st, as there is a lot you might miss, but if you have read the book, this is brilliant to listen to and will really fire up your imagination. I especially loved the actor who played Lyra. So give yourself a treat and download this, you will not regret it. You're welcome.

Stunning dramatisation

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