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La Belle Sauvage

The Book of Dust, Volume One

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The British Book Awards Audiobook of the Year 2018

2019 CAMEO Book to Audio
Best Solo Narration - New York Festival Radio Awards
Shortlisted Best Audiobook Narrator - Audio Production Awards

Penguin presents the audio download edition of La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, read by Michael Sheen.

Eleven-year-old Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon, Asta, live with his parents at the Trout Inn near Oxford. Across the River Thames (which Malcolm navigates often using his beloved canoe, a boat by the name of La Belle Sauvage) is the Godstow Priory where the nuns live. Malcolm learns they have a guest with them; a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua . . .

"As a reader and a fan, I was hugely excited on hearing that Phillip was returning to the story of Lyra and Dust and challenging the Authority. And, as an actor, it was a true privilege to be asked to record La Belle Sauvage, the first book of this new work." Michael Sheen

"The best piece of narration I've ever heard" - The Bookseller

"Michael Sheen's narration of Philip Pullman's new novel is better than an army of voice actors his voice is impressive, from the crisp, definitive consonants of its higher registers to the rumbly bass notes Sheen summons when some menace enters the scene, to the vast, buttery expanse of his middle range." Slate

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It almost goes without saying that Philip Pullman's prose is always going to be hugely enjoyable. And he's chosen a really interesting plotline for the prequel - the story of baby Lyra. But I don't want to give too much away about that and spoil it for anyone. It's great. Can't wait for the next one.

The narration though - well. I can't summon up enough superlatives to sufficiently describe the quality of Michael Sheen's work on this book. It's sensitive, beautifully paced, with characterisations so finely observed that it's better than watching a film. His voicing of the villain of the piece - and his daemon - made my blood run cold. The denouement of the book had me listening, wide-eyed with fear and excitement, at two o'clock in the morning, because I just couldn't stop until I heard the end.

Honestly, possibly the best narration I have ever heard. I narrate audiobooks myself and I can only hope to begin to aspire to that kind of quality. Hats off to you, Mr Sheen. Fanbloodytastic.

Extraordinary narration

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The narrator rocked my world, as did the book. Hope I don't have to wait too long.

Hurry up with the next one Phil

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So well narrated and totally engaging. Couldn't stop listening to it even waking up and listening at 3am! Glad to get some sleep tonight!

Amazing

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I loved it. Although I felt like I’d fallen down the rabbit hole with about 3 hours to go. The writing was excellent the reading was amazing and I thoroughly loved submerging myself in this world again. Oh and Malcom is amazing. Great book I can’t wait until part two.

Wow

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I’m a proper PP fan and was really looking forward to this book. Having loved ‘His Dark Materials’ I didn’t think that anything else could be a patch on that. But oh, how wrong I was! Listened to it at every available opportunity from beginning to end. Classic Philip Pullman storytelling and brilliant reading. What’s not to like!?

Fabulous!

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