Northern Lights cover art

Northern Lights

His Dark Materials, Book 1

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Northern Lights

By: Philip Pullman
Narrated by: Ruth Wilson
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About this listen

The definitive production of Northern Lights, narrated by Ruth Wilson, star of the major BBC series His Dark Materials.

“Without this child, we shall all die.”

Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford.

The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight.

Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world…

First published in 1995, and acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, this first book in the series won the UK's top awards for children's literature, including the Carnegie Medal.

Ruth Wilson is an award-winning actress, best known for her roles in His Dark Materials, Luther, Mrs Wilson and The Affair. She won universal acclaim, and the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mrs Coulter in the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials.

Also available in His Dark Materials, read by Ruth Wilson.

The Subtle Knife.

The Amber Spyglass, which includes a bonus conversation between Ruth Wilson and Philip Pullman.

Brought to you by Penguin.

©1995 Philip Pullman (P)2024 Penguin Audio Classics Editors Select Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Witchcraft Magic Users

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Editorial Review

Revisiting a fantasy gateway
The His Dark Materials series occupies a special place in my fantasy origin story. It’s been years since I revisited the classic, but I’m now counting the days until I get to do so, starting with this new performance by Ruth Wilson, who so brilliantly embodies antagonist Ms. Coulter in the BBC adaptation. While the multicast performance will always have a place in my heart, I also believe there are countless ways to engage in your favourite fandoms, and I’m excited to hear what the acclaimed actress will do with the story. The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass will follow early next year –a perfect treat as we usher in the cold, dark magic of winter. — Sam D., Audible Editor

All stars
Most relevant
My all time favourite book read by Ruth Wilson, with perfect pitch. A real treat.

Perfect narration

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I first read his dark materials about 20 years ago and loved them then. Lyras story is brilliant and well written. Nothing like what the film has portrayed which is a shame, it could have turned into an excellent Dark Materials franchise

Excellent

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Genuinely fantastic book, that translates brilliantly to an audiobook. Ruth's reading pulls you in, and the story keeps your listening to chapter after chapter with no break.

Gripping throughout, appeals to all ages

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The release of Philip Pullman's excellent His Dark Materials trilogy as a straightforward, single Narrator audiobook seemed long overdue. But what a treat we have been offered for waiting.

Previously I listened to the Full-Cast production, with the Author, Philip Pullman taking the role of the Narrator. Pullman has a beautiful reading voice, but the rest of the Cast couldn't match him and sometimes I found their performances irritating.

In contrast, Ruth Wilson is in a league of her own: she has a voice which is both gorgeous and sexy and soothing: a rich voice. And her range of accents is outstanding: her American and Irish and Polar Bear accents avoid the pitfalls that far too many other Narrator's seem incapable of avoiding. And, what's more, Wilson can project the whole range of human, (panserbjørne, daemon and angel) emotions without raising her voice or overstepping her role in the story.
She is never intrusive or irritating. That is an art, indeed.

When my son was a little boy, he would describe food that he liked as "so good it is. . . too good"; it was, he declared, struggling to do justice to the dish, "too delicious".

That accurately sums up Ruth Wilson's reading of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy: she is simply too good; too delicious.

A treat, and a worthy companion to Martin Sheen's excellent reading of the first two volumes of Pullman's Book of Dust trilogy.

Ruth Wilson's reading is too good; too delicious.

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The story is fabulous, but Ruth Wilson's narration made it even better. I highly recommend listening to this version.

Wonderfully read

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